Imagine waking up every day in October and diving headfirst into the spirit of Halloween—making memories, having a blast with your kids, and sneaking in learning without anyone even noticing. That’s the idea behind Halloween School—your not-so-spooky plan for turning October into one big, epic educational adventure!
When my kids were younger, this time of year used to throw me off. I mean, how are we supposed to focus on math when there are pumpkins to carve and costumes to plan?
But now that I’m a bit more… let’s say “seasoned” (because it sounds nicer than “older,” right?), I’ve learned a thing or two. Instead of fighting the Halloween hype, why not use it? Let’s channel all that excitement into learning that feels like play—and make October our most fun (and secretly educational) month yet.
Halloween School is a fun way to enjoy the season while building incredible skills and deep learning along the way. You will:
- 🧪 Learn all about physics and chemistry as you make some magic potions
- 🦇 Learn about balance, counterbalance, and gravity as you make a balancing bat
- 🕸️ Practice skip counting, patterning, and fine motor skills as you weave a web
- 🧡 Build vocabulary and literacy skills as you create your own monster
- 👻 Plot coordinates and build big math skills as you create Haunted Houses
And so much more! Grab Halloween School right here, or keep reading to learn more about this epic Halloween lesson plan!
A Lesson Plan for Halloween Hands-On Learning!
Halloween School is divided into 10 topics with manageable, bite-sized learning opportunities. This format gives you the freedom to dive into learning at a pace that works for your family. Perhaps you do one area per day, perhaps one per week. Whatever suits your fancy! You’ll explore:
- Pumpkins
- Jack-O’-Lanterns
- Skeletons
- Dressing Up
- Bats
- Witches & Magic Potions
- Spiders
- Spider Webs
- Black Cats
- Trick-or-Treating
Each of the ten topics contains everything you need for that topic, including:
- a curated YouTube video,
- a suggested book,
- a “what’s happening” section,
- an interesting fact,
- a discussion question,
- literacy and math enrichment questions,
- and an ultimate can’t-be-beat hands-on activity!
Halloween School Hands-On Activities
Let’s take a closer look at the 10 topics covered in the Halloween School lesson plan and the hands-on activities you’ll enjoy with each:
Topic 1: Pumpkins
Is a pumpkin a fruit or a vegetable? Learn why pumpkins are classified as fruits, how they grow from flowers on long vines, and just how enormous they can become. Roll up your sleeves for a Pumpkin Dissection Activity! As you cut one open, investigate it’s rind, pulp, fibrous strands, and seeds, and learn the role each part plays.
Topic 2: Jack-O’-Lanterns
Did you know that Jack-O’-Lanterns were once carved from turnips, potatoes, and beets instead of pumpkins? Trace this Halloween tradition from an old Irish folktale to the flowing orange Jack-O’-Lantern we know today. Put the design thinking process into action with Hammering Pumpkins, using a hammer and nail (with adult supervision), to create a one-of-a-kind illuminated pumpkin design.
 |
 |
Topic 3: Skeletons
Skeletons may look spooky, but they have some very important jobs to do! Find out how your bones support your body, protect your organs, and work with your muscles to help you move – and why babies have more bones than adults! Piece together a Cotton Swab Skeleton, then enjoy a modern version of the classic song “Spooky, Scary Skeletons!”
Topic 4: Dressing Up
Will you dress up as something spooky, heroic, magical, or entirely unexpected this Halloween Follow the history of Halloween costumes from animal-skin disguises and homemade outfits to the store-bought costumes and pop culture characters we know today. Dance like a fairy or stomp like a giant with Fairies and Giants, listening for how high – and low pitched music can bring two very different characters to life.
Topic 5: Bats
I wonder… since bats hang upside down, do they also nurse their young upside down? Get ready to learn all sorts of interesting facts about bats, including why these creatures are a symbol of Halloween! For the hands-on activity, you’ll make your very own balancing bat. You can grab a FREE Sample of Halloween School that includes the Balancing Bat Printable below!
Topic 6: Witches & Magic Potions
What mysterious ingredients might bubble and swirl inside a witch’s cauldron? Uncover how witches became a familiar symbol of Halloween before brewing a little magic of your own. Create a glittery Magic Potion Calming Jar while investigating solutions, solutes, solvents, and suspensions – and see how your swirling potion can help your mind slow down and settle, too.
Topic 7: Spiders
It was once thought that eating a spider between two slices of buttered bread would give a witch great powers. Though we definitely do not recommend you try it! It’s time to learn about spiders, then create some special spiders with the included printable and have a spider race!
Topic 8: Spider Webs
Spider webs are intricate and beautiful, yet most are created in as little as 30 minutes to one hour. While learning more about spider webs, you’ll create your own spider web with a stick and yarn weaving project. These beauties are perfect for hanging up as Halloween decorations when you’re all done!
Topic 9: Black Cats
Next, you’ll learn about cats—specifically black cats, who have had the tough reputation of being associated with bad luck and spookiness. (Not unlike the spooky monster you’ll draw and write about for this topic’s literacy enrichment!) You’ll also create a black cat bookmark using the included printable, then use the blank template to try making your own bookmark designs.
Topic 10: Trick-Or-Treating
How did dressing up and going door-to-door become one of Halloween’s most-loved traditions? Travel through the history of trick-or-treating, from ancient celebrations and medieval performances to the first recorded use of “trick or treat” in a Canadian newspaper. Finish with a spooky-cute Salt Dough Ghost craft, shaping and baking your own glowing ghost to display for Halloween.
Plus lots of fun Halloween printables and extras!
In addition to your 28-page coursebook, Halloween School has lots of fun printables to accompany the math and literacy enrichment questions and hands-on activities, including:
- Black Cat Bookmark
- Balancing Bat
- Skeleton Printable
- Halloween Vocabulary Cards
- My Magic Brew Recipe Cards
- My Spooky Monster Printable
- Halloween Math Mosaic (three difficulty levels)
- Halloween Math Dot-to-Dot (three difficulty levels)
- Plot the Coordinates (three difficulty levels)
- Halloween Mazes (three difficulty levels)
- and more!
This will be my youngest’s second time experiencing Halloween School, and she is already asking when we get to start!! And when October is over, the countdown will begin until we start CHRISTMAS SCHOOL! But I’m getting ahead of myself…
Ready to make this October extra special? Check out Halloween School for a fun, hands-on lesson plan for Halloween!
https://shop.howweelearn.com/products/halloween-school
 |
 |
Thank you so much for being here with me, sweet friend!
xo
Sarah
Leave a Reply