Halloween is a fun and exciting time for kids. There are so many activities you can do. Below are my must-do activities to have and reinforce English language outcomes. First, the emotions with this exciting celebration. I usually will watch a video to review the emotions vocabulary. There are many out there but I like to watch this video.
Next, I would have a group discussion about if they celebrate Halloween at home. Maybe some newcomers did not have this tradition in their country of origin. I use a circle map to compare Halloween to a festivity they celebrate at home.
After the group discussion, I would ask students if they like Halloween and why? This is the time to show students the vocabulary word cards and a fun worksheet to write down their opinion.
When students are done with their opinion writing they can finish the cut-and-paste sorting worksheet of what they think is scary and what is not.
I always end with a game and this game is targeted to get students to speak with each other. My favorite game is Bingo, perfect for reviewing vocabulary words.
I also would read early reader with my students to practice vocabulary and fluency. This Halloween Emergent Reader is great for guided reading or for independent centers during October to practice Halloween vocabulary. Students will first practice reading the sentence with the sight words I, SEE, A and get to practice tracing, building, coloring, and dotting 10 different Halloween-themed words. Finally, they can color the Halloween words.
I always have Math No Prep worksheets ready for my early finishers with lots of cut and past activities to keep students engaged. Most of the pages in this pack are also great for centers.
No Prep Halloween Math Worksheets for Centers or Early Finishers
How are you incorporating English Language Learning in this spooky holiday in your classroom?
I do like all of the activities you have here. Good conversation starters and I always like that students have the chance to colour in the images.
One thing I would consider are those that do not celebrate Halloween for religious reasons – how can they feel inclusive of this celebration?