As most of my friends know, I absolutely love Halloween. I like carving pumpkins, welcoming the (very few) kids who come trick-or-treating, making cards and painting monsters with my boys. I think it’s better than Carnival, actually, I think it can’t be compared to Carnival. However, Halloween isn’t that popular in Portugal, really. It’s still seen as a “foreign”, “modern” activity so there’s not a lot of attention paid to it. Just that teachers, English teachers, that is, love it. Time to have fun and let the mean, (not that) nasty vampire come out, come out, wherever it is….
So, what do I have to share? Probably nothing new. If you go online there will be thousands of resources available. However, if you need a quick guide and don’t have time to scroll down Dr. Google’s list, here are a few resources and ready-made worksheets that can help save the day.
Videos
The History of Halloween (a short documentary by the History channel, quite good for an activity with adults) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=amPLNo7SOwg
Halloween Songs for Kids! (half an hour of wonderful Halloween songs for VYL by Super Simple Songs) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Se4e4_3FpZw
Short Story – Halloween is Grinch’s night (looking for a short film? This could be it. Dr. Seuss story for children about the Grinch) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ygSEkwRCQPM
Halloween Cartoons (a playlist with 65 videos related to the theme. Great for VYL if you’re looking for a different way in which to finish/start your lesson) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KYpadw9O1ZM&list=PLle7mneMioTYVcdSNufJ3aLCdpjL3eYmG
Crosswords, Puzzles & Word Searches
Word search (good for YL and teenagers) – http://www.schoolfamily.com/print-and-usetools/document/694-halloween-word-search
Halloween Scramble (a simple worksheet related to safety on Halloween, good for YL) – http://www.schoolfamily.com/print-and-use-tools/document/781-halloween-scramble
Crossword (a sort of a Halloween trivia that is sure to keep your students busy for a while) – http://www.schoolfamily.com/print-and-use-tools/document/772-halloween-crossword-puzzle
Word search builder (make your own word search with this on line program, you will only have to print it) – http://www.softschools.com/language_arts/words/worksheets/word_search168.html
Worksheets
Halloween worksheets (@ education.com you’ll find lots of printable worksheets you’ll be able to use with your students) – http://www.education.com/worksheets/halloween/
Halloween worksheets and activities (you have everything here, from Reading comprehension, to vocabulary practice. @ http://bogglesworldesl.com/ you’ll find resources from several sorts)
The teachers’ corner (you’ll find recipes, puzzles, wordsearch, etc.) – http://seasonal.theteacherscorner.net/halloween/
Super Simple Learning (this website will provide you with lesson plans, recipes, party ideas and so on) – http://supersimplelearning.com/halloween/
Songs
Dream English Halloween (focuses on songs that can be used, mainly, with children) – http://www.dreamenglish.com/halloween
Halloween songs (over 8 pages of different songs that can be used with other levels) – http://busyteacher.org/search.html?q=halloween+song
And of course, if all else fails…
• The busyteacher.org (you know why, don’t you 😉 – http://busyteacher.org/search.html?q=halloween
• Printables, crafts, poems (not many people still remember this site, but it’s one of the oldest around) – http://www.dltk-holidays.com/halloween/index.html