Grade Levels: 3-5, 6-8, 9-12

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This lesson accompanies the BrainPOP topic Halloween and builds understanding of how Halloween developed from its ancient Celtic roots to the way it is celebrated today. Students demonstrate understanding through a variety of projects.

Step 1: ACTIVATE PRIOR KNOWLEDGE

Ask students: 

  • What are some Halloween traditions you know of or celebrate?

Step 2: BUILD KNOWLEDGE

  • Read aloud the description below the Movie player.
  • Play the Movie, pausing to check for understanding. 
  • Assign Related Reading. Have students read one of the following articles: “Way Back When” or “Around The World”.  Partner them with someone who read a different article to share what they learned with each other.

Step 3: APPLY and ASSESS 

Assign the Halloween Challenge and Quiz, prompting students to apply essential literacy skills while demonstrating what they learned about this topic.

Step 4: DEEPEN and EXTEND
Students express what they learned about Halloween while practicing essential literacy skills with one or more of the following activities. Differentiate by assigning ones that meet individual student needs.

  • Make-a-Movie: Create a movie identifying similarities and differences between modern-day Halloween traditions and the Celtic holiday of Samhain.
  • Make-a-Map: Create a concept map comparing and contrasting Halloween customs and traditions from today and Halloween customs of the past.  
  • Creative Coding: Code a digital exhibit with items from modern and historical Halloween traditions.

More to Explore 

Related BrainPOP Topics: Deepen understanding of cultural celebrations with these topics: Day of the Dead, Thanksgiving, and Winter Holidays

Teacher Support Resources:

Lesson Plan Common Core State Standards Alignments