Pokémon Halloween: The Mythology and Traditions behind Spooky Pokémon

We all know the typical Halloween decorations: bats, ghosts, candles, pumpkins...the list is long and varied. But how did all these themes come together to represent Halloween? Where did all these traditions come from? And are some Pokemon also inspired by these same traditions and myths? Students will explore the origins of Halloween alongside the spookiest creatures of the Pokemon world.

▬▬▬▬▬▬ VIDEOS, ACTIVITIES, AND MORE ▬▬▬▬▬▬

• This course has four parts to it. Parts 1-3 consist of a video presentation (each 12 to 18 minutes long) hosted on Google Drive, along with some extension activities to expand the students’ understanding. Part 4 is DIY Pokemon project designed to explore more Celtic mythology beyond the scope of Pokemon.

• In a regular school setting, these materials are ideal for reverse instruction or a flipped classroom unit. For instance, you can assign the video recording to watch at home for homework, and then use the extension activities for class projects. The recordings also work well for sub days and much-needed sanity days!

• If you are using these materials in a home school setting, you could choose to do one part per day or one part per week, doing the projects as time allows. Feel free to have your child email me at lauren.rae.ard@gmail.com, if they have any questions or want to share what they’ve done with the materials.

• This unit also includes a link to my notes and Prezi presentation I use throughout the course, in case you want to give some of the presentation, or expand on the material yourself. Please keep in mind that the video may not match up exactly with the notes and lecture materials, because I do alter and add to my notes as time goes on.

▬▬▬▬▬▬ COURSE SUMMARY ▬▬▬▬▬▬

This class will touch on the following topics and their connection to both Halloween and Pokemon:

• The Celtic origins of Halloween
• The Grim Reaper (and the Celtic version, the Ankou)
• Candles and Halloween
• Ghosts and Ghouls (banshees, sluaghs, will-o-wisps, poltergeists, possessed objects, and dilas)
• How trick-or-treating began
• The history of witches (and their association with potions, wands, bats, and black cats)
• The tale of Stingy Jack and the jack-o-lantern

▬▬▬▬▬▬ LEARNING OBJECTIVES ▬▬▬▬▬▬

By the end of the class, students should be able to:

• Explain the purpose of the Celtic New Year - Samhain.
• Recall some of the basic beliefs of the Celtic people regarding spirits and their purposes.
• Describe which modern Halloween traditions and costumes originated with the Celtic people.
• Tell how their favorite spooky Pokemon relate to common Halloween decorations and traditions.