Boo! It’s Almost Haloween
Can you believe it is October already? That means Halloween is just around the corner. What student doesn’t get excited about Halloween? It is such a fun time of year. We get to get dressed up, eat candy, and have an opportunity to introduce some new vocabulary to our students.
Are You Ready?
Can you honestly say you are ready for Halloween to arrive? If the answer is no, then you have come to the right place. I want to share some language ideas to get you into the spooky spirit while teaching your students. Remember Halloween can be a fun learning tool if you prepare early.
Here are a few ideas to teach vocabulary and get students talking, creating stories, and having a SPOOKtacular time.
Word Searches & Crossword Puzzles
I know many people LOVE their word searches using the manual alphabet, and that is great. However, what are students really learning when completing this task? I like to take the word search game up a notch by having students create their own. The catch is, instead of using English words with the manual alphabet, have students describe the words using the parameters as the clues. Then students must understand how to form the sign not just find the handshapes that match the English word.
You can also create these word searches yourself in the same fashion, using only the parameters as clues. Add extra words to your puzzle that connect to the Halloween vocabulary but don’t use them as clues. This lets you know if students really understand the vocabulary or are just circling Halloween-related terms. This activity also works with crossword puzzles.
Candy
Halloween is all about the candy. I have two activities that relate to candy you can incorporate this Halloween. First, have students bring in candy to share (or you can bring it in or have a parent donate it). Blindfold students and let them taste 3 – 4 pieces of candy. Then they must describe the flavor and see if they can name the candy brand like Reece’s or Snickers. After, they must be able to make comparative statements like “This one is sweeter than that one.” Or “This candy tastes better than that one.”
The second activity is candy classifiers. For this task, students can bring in candy or not. Their job is to use classifiers and vocabulary to describe a type of candy. You can turn this into a team competition by having students earn points for guessing correctly.
1 clue = 3 points
2 clues = 2 points
3 clues = 1 point
Competitions generally get the class more pumped up.
Halloween Scattegories
This classic game is great for teaching ASL students new and less common vocabulary. Start by brainstorming a list of things associated with Halloween like candy, monsters, costumes, etc. These will be the categories for the rest of the game.
From your list, choose the six best categories. Then roll a letter die or choose a letter of the alphabet at random. (Avoid less common letters such as x, q, v, j, etc.) Then give your students one minute to think of a word that fits each category and that starts with the letter you rolled.
For example, for the letter “D,” they might answer something like “candy: dark chocolate, monster: Dracula, costume: dog.” Have students share their answers with the class and cross out any repeats to get their score for that round. Play three rounds with three different letters. The person with the highest score for the combined rounds wins a Halloween prize or free homework pass.
You can even turn this into a fingerspelling activity for students with a lower vocabulary level.
Halloween Traditions
Have students talk about Halloween traditions. They can learn about traditions around the world or just some Halloween traditions here in the United States. You can find great information premade on the Internet. Just give students a few minutes to read through it and talk about it with each other. Spontaneous communication is the best!
No time, No worries
Want even more, already prepared activities? Use this packet as a no-prep way for you to celebrate the Haloween holiday. Activities include Guess What and Describe a Monster. Both are excellent ways to practice classifiers and vocabulary. You will also find two story activities with The Scream and Roll-A-Story, an interpretive task using YouTube, and an I Have, Who Has card game, and a create a story using images provided.
Other Halloween activities you might enjoy:
Halloween Board Game (FREEBIE!)
Best ever Halloween Digital Breakout
Check out the store for all of the fun Halloween activities you and your students are sure to enjoy!
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