Halloween Discussion Forums, Costumes, Horror!

I am desperately searching new and creative ideas for a "Halloween" presentation that my co-teacher and I will be doing on the 31st. It needs to be book based, so a story acted out or a reading or something like that. Does anyone have any suggestions?

Maybe I guess Harry Potter? Or, Hocus Pocus?

the Halloween Tree by Ray Bradbury.

it's got everything. Friendship, a creepy central character, Halloween history.

It would be hard to beat.

Edgar Allen Poe is not only a fabulous horror writer, but he's considered to be one of the all time great classic writers in American literature. You can read the poem "The Raven," or one of his short stories like "The Tell-Tail" heard, and you can screan "The Fall of the House of Usher," or something that is based on one of his stories.

Bram Stoker ("Dracula") and Mary Shelly (Frankenstein) are also considered to be classic writers if you need something book based. You can have a Dracula or Frankenstein fest, or have an Edgar Allen Poe assembly.

Mike

Poe's "A Tell Tale Heart" is perfect because it's the perfect length. What ages are we talking about though? It should be fine for upper elementary grades but younger ones may be frightened.

Years and years and years ago, when I was in Kindergarden... there was this book about a mouse who made his home in a pumpkin that was read to the class. As the teacher read the story, she'd cut this orange piece of construction paper folded in half long-wise.

You have the crease of the paper at the bottom... then as you read the story, you cut out a door in the crease. Then a window opposite the door. Then, you trim the corners (the non-creased side). At the end of the story, you unfold the paper and PRESTO!-- you've made a jack 'o lantern face in the paper.

Unfortunately, I can't remember the name of the book or its author. =/

what about "The Little Old Lady Who Wasn't Afraid on Anything" or " Big Pumpkin" .

These are both both very cute books and are great acted out. I use the first on every year. Even my 5th graders love it!!!

I'll look up the authors and post them.

I love the story "Big Pumpkin". Another good short book for kids is "Inside a House That is Haunted".

How about, "The Headless Horseman". We did that in elementary school, way back in the 70's. That was fun.

I remember my 5th grade teacher showing us a film strip based on "The Legend of Sleepy Hallow." It was pretty neat, and a scary story to boot.

Mike

Wow! Thanks so much for all your ideas! They're all great!!