This “Scary Story” lesson plan would be perfect around Halloween

Title – Scary Stories

By – Dawn Pawlowski

Primary Subject – Language Arts

Grade Level – 6-12

Objectives: Students will…

1. Utilize listening skills
   
2. Identify scary story formula (what makes a scary story scary)
   
3. Tell his/her own scary story

Materials:

1. Flashlight
   
2. Suggested book list:
   1. 
      Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark
      
      box set by Alvin Schwartz and Stephen Gammell
      
   2. 
      Goosebumps
      
      (short stories)
      
   3. 
      Tales From the Crypt
      
      (abridged) CD – This is a collection of stories from
      
      Tales From the Crypt
      
      . Some stories may NOT be appropriate for the school setting (due to language and/or content), so listen to the stories BEFORE using them in a classroom. Stories from this CD I would recommend are: “
      
      A Little Stranger
      
      ,” “
      
      Tight Grip
      
      ,” and “
      
      Fare Tonight and Increasing Clottiness
      
      “.
      
   4. 
      Chicago Street Guide to the Supernatural
      
      by Richard Crowe (or any novel about local ghost stories)

Preparation:

1. Choose stories from the books that you want to read in class. You may not get all of the stories read, or students may want to pick one of their favorite stories themselves, but have a game plan.

Step-By-Step Tasks:

1. Group discussion: What is a scary story? What are the elements of a scary story?
   
2. Explain to students that you are going to be reading scary stories. Identify appropriate behavior that should be demonstrated during this activity.
   
3. Turn off the lights and read the stories by flashlight. Begin by reading the first short story yourself; I suggest reading a story that escalates, such as “
   
   Clinkity Clink
   
   ” or “
   
   Who’s Got My Toe
   
   ” from the
   
   Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark
   
   book set.
   
4. Once the first story is done, ask for volunteers. Pass the book and the flashlight to the new reader. Continue this pattern for each new story.
   
5. Allow students to tell their own stories – ones they heard or have “experienced.”

*** The scary stories lesson can be done just for one day or over a period of days using multiple books from the suggested story list.

*** Perfect for Halloween!!!

Assessment:

1. Student participation (reading and sharing their own story)

2. Student behavior

Optional Activities:

1. Have students write their own scary story

2. Working in groups, have students write their own scary script and record on tape/CD

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Dawn Pawlowski

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