Teaching Expertise

Why did the vampire read the newspaper? He heard it had good circulation!

Liven up your reading lessons this Fall season with 16 Halloween-inspired activities. Whether your learners are exploring the spookiest haunted house accounts in history or crafting their own scary stories, they’re sure to have a blast as they relish the hair-raising nature of these tasks! 

1. Spooky Story Exchange

Here’s a frightfully delightful idea! Task your students with drafting their very own scary stories. Once they’re done, a story swap will have everyone on edge as they explore the suspenseful narratives of their peers. 

Learn More: TES

2. Chilling Chapter Books

Get your students hooked on bone-chilling chapter books that are just right for their age! Discussions on the most exciting, hair-raising parts of the book are sure to spark lively exchanges all Fall long. 

Learn More: Scholastic

3. Horror Book Club

Why not form a temporary horror book club to foster a love for reading over the Halloween season? Choose a creepy novel, encourage everyone to read it, and then gather for a group discussion! 

Learn More: Morbidly Beautiful

4. Script-to-Screen

This activity provides the perfect chance for students to appreciate horror cinema from a new angle! By reading and discussing the original scripts of popular horror movies, they’ll begin to understand the intricacies of adapting a story for the big screen.

Learn More: Studio Binder

5. Character Costume Discussion

Here’s an engaging, post-reading activity to wrap up your Halloween reading sessions! After reading a spooky book, students can engage in discussions about the characters and then design their very own costumes to bring their favorite characters to life! 

Learn More: Imagination Soup

6. Ghoulish Graphic Novels

Immerse your students in the captivating world of Halloween-themed graphic novels. Engaging plots paired with striking illustrations will give them a different perspective on both storytelling and visual literacy!

Learn More: Wichita Mom

7. Pumpkin Book Reports

Blend reading with a creative pursuit by having your students read a book, pen a report, and then present it orally. The catch? Their presentation must include a pumpkin that’s decorated in such a way that it represents a character from their chosen book.

Learn More: Simply Kinder

8. Paranormal Periodicals

Dare your students to explore the world of the supernatural with articles about local hauntings or paranormal phenomena. Follow up with a class discussion to share the energy of all the chills and thrills!

Learn More: Windy Nook Primary

9. Crack the Crime

Time to don that detective hat! Introduce your students to a thrilling detective novel and prompt them to follow the clues and unravel the mystery as they read! 

Learn More: Twinkl

10. Mythical Monsters

Monsters aren’t always scary. At times, they can simply be intriguing and educational! Task your learners with exploring different cultural myths about monsters and nocturnal creatures;  offering them a chance to understand these diverse traditions.

Learn More: Twinkl

11. Interactive Spooky Stories

Reading sure is more fun when it’s interactive! Introduce your students to a Halloween-themed eBook that’s as engaging as it is educational. 

Learn More: YouTube

12. Dark & Twisted Tales

Fairy tales often have a dark side that goes unexplored. Allow students to delve into these macabre origins and discover the dual nature of many narratives.

Learn More: We Are Teachers

13. Theatrical Thrillers

Set the stage as you prepare for dramatic renditions of famous horror plays! To foster confidence and build a better understanding of a dramatic text, encourage your learners to perform dramatic readings from selected horror play scenes. 

Learn More: Mom Loves Best

14. Historical Haunts

Combine history and horror by getting your learners to explore written accounts detailing historical haunted places or events. This activity is sure to stir curiosity about the past while adding a layer of supernatural intrigue! 

Learn More: Open Door

15. Micro Mystery Challenge

Do your students enjoy a good mystery? Encourage them to write their own short mystery stories and then swap them with a friend who will enjoy reading them. 

Learn More: Twinkl

16. Unreal Creatures Exploration

This activity opens the door to a myriad of cultural beliefs and legends and invites your students’ imaginations to run wild as they relish in folklore about fantastical creatures. 

Learn More: YouTube