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How to Make a Simple Papel Picado Flag

PicoBuddyLower ElementaryHow-To / Procedural1 min read
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Papel picado means "cut paper" in Spanish.

Many families display colorful paper flags during Día de Muertos to honor loved ones and community history. Traditions can vary from home to home. You can make an easy paper flag for the classroom!

Materials Needed:

  • 1 rectangle of colored paper
  • Child-safe scissors
  • Clear tape
  • 1 piece of string or yarn

Directions:

  1. Lay your paper flat on the table. Fold the paper in half by bringing the bottom edge to the top edge. Press the fold down flat.

  2. Turn your paper so the folded edge is at the bottom. Leave the top edges uncut so your flag stays strong.

  3. Ask an adult to help you cut. Use your child-safe scissors to snip two or three small triangles along the folded edge. Leave spaces between each cut.

  4. Carefully unfold your paper. Open it flat to see the cut-out shapes inside your flag.

  5. Place your string across the flat top edge of the paper. Fold the top edge over the string, and tape it down to keep the string in place.

Your simple papel picado flag is now ready to display!

Glossary
display:
To put something where people can see it.
honor:
To show special respect or love for someone.
traditions:
Special customs or activities that families or groups repeat over time.
rectangle:
A shape with four straight sides and four corners.
snip:
To make a short, quick cut with scissors.

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Preview questions from this passageShow
  1. 1What does the phrase 'papel picado' mean in Spanish?
  2. 2Why do many families display colorful paper flags during Día de Muertos?

About this how-to / procedural passage for Lower Elementary

“How to Make a Simple Papel Picado Flag” is a how-to / procedural reading passage about Papel Picado, written for Lower Elementary. It takes about 1 minute to read (191 words) and comes with an interactive quiz and a printable worksheet with comprehension questions and an answer key.

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What reading level is “How to Make a Simple Papel Picado Flag”?

It’s written for Lower Elementary — a how-to / procedural text about Papel Picado, about a 1-minute read (191 words).

What’s included with this passage?

An illustrated reading passage, a glossary of key terms, comprehension questions with an answer key, and an interactive quiz.

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Yes. Remix is included with Pro and Max for adapting it to another grade level or language.