[dkd1173]

In reading some other posts about what schools do and don't do for Halloween, I started thinking that I'd like to do some sort of celebration in my room. We are encouraged to stay away from the actual *Halloween* holiday and focus more on fall. Some years I've just had a class "fall" party, but I'd like to do some activities on the 31st this year. Any ideas? I teach fourth. TIA!

[Mr. K]

at my school. I take advantage of their high enthusiam (sugar high/anticipation) and do an entire academic Halloween day before the parade and party. We do a following directions activity which when completed turns into a spider hat, we collect data using M&M's and then graph the data, estimate, find the range, mode, median, etc of the data. We read examples of alliteration and then the students take a Halloween-ish character (bat, witch, ghost, pumpkin, etc) and make up alliterative sentences. (Big Black Bats Bob for Blueberries, etc.)
Then we use pumpkins to measure circumference, diameter, we weigh them, carve them geometrically, and then write stories about them. We have a really fun day while hitting many of the state standards.

[1956BD]

I read them Chris VanAllsburg's The Widow's Broom. I turn out the lights and read this wonderful Halloween story and magic fills the room. They always love it.

I always have a craft for them to do. They have to read and follow the directions on their own. They can help one another, but I do not help them. The objective is to read and follow the directions on their own. They are proud when they finish it and they love having a product to take home.The trick is finding one that is clearly written where you do not need expensive materials. I keep trying something new each year in search of the perfect one.

I have written 10 story problems with the Halloween theme. Each year I just change the student names. I include everyone in my class somewhere in the exercise. They love solving problems when the are about a holiday and about them.

They have written scary stories on their own and will get to share them with the class on Halloween. I only do two or three presentations at a time so they do not have to sit still too long.

We will play the spelling game, Sparkle, to review our spooky word list for the week.

I will also finish the last chapter of Monster's Ring by Bruce Coville that day at the very end of the day. I give them a glow in the dark skull ring along with the chant from this novel that will bring out the magic in the "monster's ring". I have it written just like it appears in the book, in green ink on orange paper. The ring is taped to it. They love it and leave all prepared for a night of trick or treating.

They will have practiced poems by Jack Prelutzsky in his book It's Halloween. They will give dramatic readings to our Kindergarten buddies.
They enjoy being the stars for a few minutes.

I have found that if you just go with the flow that day and embrace the holiday you can still get some learning out of them. But, you have to be creative. I'm still trying to figure out what you do in class the day after Halloween. They are usually so tired that it is a lost day. I have often wished that Halloween could always be the last Saturday of October.

I hope some of this helps you make special plans for your class. Good luck and have fun.

[teach123]

I found a really great website for math activities. It has lots of seasonal things for math. I also teach grade four and have printed out a coordinate graphing activity, a spider glyph, and several more things to use this month. It is at www.mathwire.com

[Little Red]

What a neat site! Thanks for sharing. I'm hoping to do a spider theme and these activities will fit in so well.

[blindhog]

Could you elaborate or illustrate the "story problems" you use? Also, I am not familiar with Sparkle. Is it a commercial game?These sound like great activities.

I do a spooky bulletin board untitled "Pick a Treat" and attach numerous cards which give directions for writing a story or concocting a witches brew or things like that. The students really enjoy it.

[mamaduffy3]

I started to read this to my class to prepare for halloween and they're enthralled. Any ideas on how to expand on this? I'd love to use it in other ways next week (cross curricular? language arts? ) Does anyone have anything they do with Bruce Coville's book The Monster's Ring?