Halloween Activities for Secondary ELA - Halloween Writing, Research, and Games

Are you looking for seasonal activities to promote creativity, analysis, and critical thinking? These Halloween activities for Secondary ELA include nonfiction articles, creative writing, research, drama games, and much more! (optimized for grades 7-10)

What You Get:

1. Sweet Symbolism (paper + ISN) - 45-60 minutes

Students identify concrete and abstract qualities of an object to analyze symbolism. I start with Tootsie Pops, making this a great seasonal activity! Includes a PPT on Symbolism & Allegory.

2. Abandoned Places (paper + digital) - 45-60 classes

In this creative writing activity, students draw inspiration from a nonfiction article about ten real-world abandoned places! Students choose one as a setting for a piece of Flash Fiction.

3. Monster Research Project (paper + digital) - 4-7 days

Students research and create a digital magazine or PowerPoint about the history of a monster, its representation in literature and pop culture, and potential metaphorical analysis.

4. Demystifying Fear (paper + digital) - 45-60 minutes

This nonfiction reading passage comes with close reading questions that promote learning vocabulary in context. Students will explore the contradictory nature of fear and the techniques filmmakers use to manipulate our emotions.

5. "Lamb to the Slaughter" Pre-Reading Simulation (paper + digital) - 45-60 minutes

Build students’ inferencing skills and prepare for your reading of “Lamb to the Slaughter” by Roald Dahl with this group simulation. Students take on the role of the young detective arriving on the scene of Mr. Maloney’s death. They work text-by-text and make inferences in order to unlock the next level.

6. "The Black Cat" Pre-Reading Simulation (paper + digital) - 45-60 minutes

Build students’ inferencing skills and prepare for your reading of “The Black Cat” by Edgar Allan Poe with this group simulation. Students take on the role of the young detective called to the scene of the numerous incidents described in the story, culminating with the wife’s murder. They work text-by-text and make inferences in order to unlock the next level.

7. The Haunted Mansion (digital) - 45-60 minutes

This digital escape room is part of the Burnbridge Breakouts series, but it can easily stand alone. Students read the scenes and explore the interactive environment to gather clues, solve puzzles, and escape the mansion!

BONUS: Drama Games for Halloween

About Your Resource:

Your download is a .zip file containing the individual resources. Most digital versions use fillable Google Slides. "The Haunted Mansion" game is hosted on my website and may require permission from your school's tech person. Feel free to email me at nouvelle.ela@gmail.com if you have any questions. :)

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-Danielle @ Nouvelle ELA

nouvelle.ela@gmail.com

Blog: Danielle @ Nouvelle ELA