While many celebrate Halloween in a ghoulish fashion, Dia de Muertos is a joyful celebration to pay respects and remember friends and family members who have died. Dia de Muertos is two days, generally November 1st & 2nd other days may be included depending on locality. It is celebrated in Mexico and other places, especially by people of Mexican Heritage. The celebrations can take a humorous tone in the remembrance of funny events & anecdotes about the departed. Traditions include honoring the deceased using calaveras (representations of a human skull) & marigold flowers, building home altars with the favorite foods & beverages of the departed and visiting the graves with these items as gifts. Photos & memorabilia are often included in these offerings. These altars are often placed at home or in public places such as schools or libraries. The intent is to encourage visits by the souls, to allow the souls to hear the words and prayers of the living directed to them. During the celebration it is also common to give gifts to living friends – candy sugar skulls. This celebration is not unlike those during the time of the Aztecs, in the placement of altars with tamales near the burial grounds of warriors to help them in their journey to the afterlife. The Prehistoric Pals & I are remembering friends, family and ancestors that have passed during this Celebration.
We hope You had a Fun & Safe Halloween.
Trick or Treat!
Remember Never, Never Trick a Dinosaur. It will make them Mad and You wouldn’t like them when they’re Mad. I made a few more Dinosaur Haunted Houses and another Dinosaur Pumpkin. Practice makes for improvement every time. I’m really happy with the new ones. They will be great for future Halloweens and they fold flat for easy storage. One of the Haunted Houses I used to give treats to one of my neighbors! I inserted a small plastic bag in the center with the goodies. Anne the T-Rex Skeleton Hatchling join me at the Halloween Theme Reading to Kids Event and fortunately someone took our picture to share. Even Rudy the smart car got into the Halloween Spirit as the Great Pumpkin! I made sketches for the new pumpkin. A special crayon to aided in making the drawings on the pumpkin. With my new tools I lightly carved details. Cleaned out the inside and made the final cuts. A T-Rex hatchling on one side and a group of Dinosaurs on the other. This is the best one yet! Do you know what dinosaurs are in the group? Answers below.
Answers: left to right – Triceratops, Ankylosaurus, Iguanodon, Protoceratops, Brontosaurus above previous two, and Corythosaurus. How many did You get right?
Stay Tuned for More Makeovers, Crafts & Dinosaur Fun Facts!
Check out Your nearest Natural History Museum. Remember Social Distancing & Masks to keep You & Others Safe while Everyone Enjoys Their Learning Experience. Consider a Membership with the Museum. In addition to Supporting Their Valuable Work there are Benefits to You. Special Preview Events for Members Only as well as Virtual Access Exclusive for Members. For more information and access to general public eLearning check out the links below.
The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County www.nhm.org under Research & Collections / Digitized Collections will allow you to browse their Collections. Check out the latest Activities on their site.
The American Natural History Museum www.amnh.org You will find eLearning for Families, Students & Educators. Explore the Museum Virtually. Check Out SciCafe: Video Talks and Meet the Icons: Stories behind the Exhibits! There are Video Series covering Behind the Scenes at the Museum with Space & Dinosaur Explainers.
Chicago’s Field Museum www.fieldmuseum.org You can talk to “Maximo the Titanosaur” online, Yes Really! Visit Sue the largest T-Rex discovered! Check Out “Brain Scoop” and the Learning Resources – many are also in Spanish.
Check Out Your Libraries eBooks. My local Library has over 900 eBooks on Dinosaurs! Here are four books for Drawing Dinosaurs that you might find at your Library. Ask your Librarian about others.
1-2-3 Draw Dinosaurs and other Prehistoric Animals A step by step guide by Freddie Levin (2001)
Draw 50 Dinosaurs and other Prehistoric Animals by Lee J. Ames (1977)
Draw it Dinosaurs by Patricia Walsh (2006)
I Can Draw Dinosaurs by Terry Longhurst (2003)
Stay Safe & Well.
Please Remember to Wear Masks & Social Distance as Appropriate Not everyone has been Vaccinated. And even vaccinated many Young & Old have compromised immune systems. Protect Yourself, Friends, Family & Everyone You Pass!
Thank You!
I used watercolors to make Dinosaur Designs on my N95 Masks (New Ones above). I couldn’t get a yes or no from 3M regarding any impact this might have to the effectiveness of the mask. Many Museums sell Dinosaur Themed Masks Check them Out!
“Encouraging the Appreciation of Art and Education through the Inspiration of Dinosaurs”
Paul & Prehistoric Pals
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