"Funny Bones" Book Companion Activities

Looking for engaging and meaningful read-aloud activities for Hispanic Heritage Month or to celebrate Día de los Muertos? This picture book companion is just what you need! Included are 21 print-and-go reading activities that pair perfectly with the picture book Funny Bones: Posada and His Day of the Dead Calaveras by Duncan Tonatiuh. The included reading activities are best for students in 3rd - 5th grades and focus on applying crucial reading skills, digging deeper into the text, and critical thinking. Quick and easy setup, plus clear student directions, make these activities perfect for centers or substitute days, too!

Funny Bones: Posada and His Day of the Dead Calaveras is a fascinating biography that relates the pivotal moments of Lupe’s life and explains the different artistic processes he used. Not only is this a great read-aloud for National Hispanic Heritage Month or for Día de los Muertos, it is also a great option for classes studying political cartoons or art history.

Students will dig into characterization, identify story elements, determine the theme; sequence events from the story, determine how setting affects the plot and character development, write a literary calavera poem or short story, and so much more! The included activities were designed to encourage students to use higher-level thinking skills, require students to provide text evidence to support their thinking, and challenge them to provide their own opinions and/or perspectives.