This menu is perfect for a Halloween party/Fall day. Students can choose which activity they would like to work on for the day (each box takes around 90 minutes to 2 hours for quality work). It could also be used as a week-long activity in which students present their findings. Click here for a clean printable version of the menu. See below for examples of student work on the choices in which students aren't expected to look up specific information. (Note: the box in row 2, column 1 is directly related to Nevada, my home state; however, it is the only state in the union that became a state on Halloween, so it can relate to any classroom!
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Write a terrifying (or spooky) ghost story rich in “showing” details rather than “telling” details. For example – “telling” details – the big room was cold. “Showing” details – frigid air spread down my spine causing my teeth to chatter as I entered the cavernous room. Use a thesaurus to elevate the vocabulary in your story. Click here for 2 student samples: Fall: Spooky Story Student Samples |
Estimate how much candy is sold and produced during Halloween in America. Start by estimating how many pieces (or bags) of candy are purchased per household (on average) and how much price per piece (or bag) of candy. Then multiply that average by the population in a particular area (such as Nevada) and then estimate out to the whole United States. Research any data you need to make an accurate estimate. Prepare your final number and how you calculated it (including all known and estimated variables) in a script for a newscaster on TV. A great website to use is https://www.wolframalpha.com/ |
Click here to see 2 student samples-Fall: Monster Student Samples |
| Research why Nevada Day is Oct. 31st, 1864. What was happening during that time that resulted in Nevada becoming a state? With Nevada’s population being so small, why did it need to become a state that particular year? Why did they make the capital Carson City? Write a minimum 5 paragraph essay titled, “How Nevada Became A State, “ that could be displayed in the state capital building. |
Survey the class and display the results in multiple graph formats (only 1 bar graph allowed) on the following questions: What was your favorite costume worn in the past? What is your favorite Halloween candy? How many hours/minutes do you spend trick-or-treating? How long do you spend carving pumpkins? Write up your findings from the survey and graphs in a paragraph discussing the trends in the data from each question. Click here to see a student sample - Fall: Student Sample Survey Results |
Draw the floor plan of a haunted mansion. Make sure to draw with precision, labeling all rooms, secret passage ways, dungeons, etc. Make a separate drawing for each floor. Write a real estate advertisement using persuasive details to sell your mansion and describe its ghoulish features. Use a thesaurus to elevate the vocabulary in your story. Click here to see 2 student samples: Fall: Student Sample Floor plans
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Look up 20 of the most gruesome and interesting vocabulary words about Halloween. Write a poem (of any form) using all of the words. Underline/decorate all of the cool words. Click here for a student sample - Fall: Student Vocabulary Poem |
Create a net for a pumpkin that your teacher provides. Remember a net is a flat, paper representation that would cover a 3-D object completely. You can’t create the net by covering the object and cutting paper to match! You need to measure and draw on the paper and then cut it out to see how it works. Using the finished net, write an explanation of how you would calculate the approximate surface area of the pumpkin in square centimeters. Be creative!! Click here to see a student group sample - Fall: Student Net Sample |
Research why we celebrate Halloween. Present your answers to the following questions in a creative way. Why do we wear costumes? Why do we carve pumpkins? Why do we go to houses and get candy? Why is a carved pumpkin called a jack-o-lantern? Why is Halloween represented with scary images? Write two additional questions of your own that you have always wondered about Halloween and research the answers. |
Create a monster of your own original creation all out of drawings of Fall or Halloween leaves, colors, items, or objects. Use the artist Giuseppe Arcimboldo as an inspiration: 
