What teacher doesn't love the lack of self control we see every October around Halloween? Between the inevitable sugar high, the excitement of costumes, and trick-or-treating, trying to teach upper elementary students around the end of October can seem like a hopeless cause.
However, it is possible to take advantage of the excitement our students have towards Halloween. By planning Halloween themed activities (or October/fall themed activities if your school avoids holiday talk), you can try to bring some of that excitement into student learning.
Below are some great activities created by a variety of teachers that can be used in the classroom around Halloween for 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students. And best of all, they are all FREE!
Free Halloween Reading and Writing Activities
October Themed Conversation Starters and Writing Prompts
Use these questions during a morning meeting, or have partners or small groups ask these October themed questions to each other. Students must read a fun question to their partner(s), and then their partners answers it orally.
This is a great team building activity, class meeting activity, or get-to-know-you activity. Use the paper or digital version (for Google Slides).
You can also use the writing paper provided to help you easily use these questions as writing prompts.
History of Halloween Reading Passage with Comprehension Questions
Students read a reading comprehension passage about Halloween, and then answer comprehension questions. A main idea graphic organizer is also provided, as well as a Venn Diagram that has students compare Halloween in the past to Halloween now.
Two levels of reading passages are also provided.
Fun Halloween Writing
9 fun Halloween writing prompt ideas. Monsters, pumpkins, spiders, and more.
Halloween Grammar Pack
Students have to correct the grammar mistakes in the Halloween themed sentences.
This resource addresses personal pronouns, word order, irregular plurals, noun-verb agreement, and irregular past tense.
Trick AND Treat Reading Comprehension
Play a trick on your students AND give them a treat with this Halloween activity!
First, play a trick on your students with a Halloween themed directions page. If students read all of the instructions first (like they are told to), then they will only have to complete steps 1 and 2 of the activity. However, most of the students will not follow instructions and end up doing more than four times the amount of work than they need to.
Then, give your students a treat. Have them read a Halloween reading comprehension passage and answer questions. The questions lead students to their treat - no homework!
These no prep activities make teaching prefixes, suffixes, and base words fun and easy. It includes:
- prefix and suffix charts
- hands-on word building activities
- fun mazes
- scavenger hunts
- ...and more
Help your students become better and decoding multisyllabic words with this Prefix, Suffix, and Base Words Resource!
Free Halloween Math Activities
Halloween Themed Word Problems
6 Halloween themed word problems for students to complete. Geared towards upper elementary students.
Halloween Math with Candy
Use Halloween candy to practice math skills. A fun activity for students to complete, but they must have an understanding of prime/composite numbers, as well as factors and multiples in order to be successful.
Mixed Math Practice
Practice multiplication and word problems with these Halloween themed resources. Includes a mystery picture, a multiplication coloring page, a secret code activity, and more!
Free "Just for Fun" Halloween Activities
Would You Rather Questions
One of my favorites that you can use as a partner, small group, or whole class activity. Ask students these Halloween themed Would You Rather Questions and get them thinking! Some of these could also be used as writing prompts for 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students.
Halloween Joke Book
A book students can make of Halloween jokes! Get a little reading practice in by having them read the jokes with a partner.
"Healthy Bones" Halloween Party
If you are planning on throwing a Halloween party for your class, then this might help. Includes a note home to parents about bringing healthy snacks for the party, as well as a game you can play during your party.
Dissolving Candy Corn
A fun experiment that has students dissolve candy corn in several different solutions.
Never Stress Over Sub Plans Again!
Make copies, find a fiction book, and you'll be ready for any emergency that comes your way!
Comments 3
These are awesome! Thank you so very much!
Thank you so much for sharing these amazing resources!
Author
You’re welcome! Hope something helps you and your classroom!