Special Collection: Celebrating Halloween

From a play about a headless horseman to a poem about bats, these scary tales and creepy stories from the Storyworks library will delight your students and help you celebrate Halloween. Enjoy!

 

 

The Ghost of Specter Elementary

Arriving at her third new school in two years, Mia has no interest in trying to make friends. But then a visit from a friendly phantom convinces her to change her attitude.

Read the Story
Lesson Plan
A step-by-step guide to teaching this story
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Watch a Video
Meet author Lauren Magaziner
A Ghostly Plot
Figure out the different parts of the plot
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The Legend of Sleepy Hollow

Ichabod Crane, Brom Bones, and the Headless Horseman come to life in this fun adaptation of the classic American tale. It’s paired with a text about life in 1790, the year the legend takes place.

Read the Play
Lesson Plan
A step-by-step guide to teaching this play
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Author's Craft
Explore figurative language in the play
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Character
Analyze Ichabod's character
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Are Those Aliens?

For years, people have seen strange objects in the sky. 
What exactly are they?

Read the Story
Lesson Plan
A step-by-step guide to teaching this story
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Watch a Video
Learn more about scientists' search for extraterrestial life
Text Features
Unpack the story's photos, captions, and sidebars
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Monster of the Deep

For centuries, no one believed the giant squid was real—until scientists made a shocking discovery.

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Lesson Plan
A step-by-step guide to teaching this article
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Find the Evidence
Practice text evidence
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Research Kit
Go on a research journey inspired by the story
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The Mystery of the Cactus Arm

What could be whispering outside Oliver’s window? 
And what is it trying to tell him?

Read the Story
Lesson Plan
A step-by-step guide to teaching this story
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Plot
Break down the plot of the story
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Choice Board
Choose an exciting project related to the story
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The Great Pumpkin

Carve out some time to learn about this fall favorite!

Read the Infographic
Lesson Plan
A step-by-step guide to teaching this infographic
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Guided Writing
Complete the activity to write a blog post as a pumpkin
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Bat Wraps Up

Joyce Sidman’s poem brings your students along on a bat's journey home. Perfect for Halloween!

Read the Poem
Lesson Plan
A step-by-step guide to teaching this poem
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Poetry Writing
Write your own movement poem
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Vampire of the Deep

In the 1940s, bloodsucking fish took over America’s largest lakes. Could they be stopped?

Read the Paired Texts
Lesson Plan
A step-by-step guide to teaching the Paired Texts
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Watch A Video
Learn about the harmful effects of invasive species
Synthesizing
Students will synthesize infromation from both texts
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The Curse of King Tut

Could a 3,300-year-old mummy really unleash doom on all who come near?

Read the Play
Lesson Plan
A step-by-step guide to teaching this play
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Watch A Video
Travel back to the time of the mummies
Understanding Setting
Answer the questions to understand the play's setting
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Bats: Spooky or Sweet?

These nighttime creatures might seem scary, but they help us and the environment in some surprising ways! 

Read the Infographic
Lesson Plan
A step-by-step guide to teaching this infographic
Download
Video
Learn about the adaptations of some creepy creatures
Guided Writing
Go on a research journey inspired by the infographic
Download

The Curse of King Tut: ALLAN DAVEY; The Ghost of Specter Elementary: c.b. Canga; The Great Pumpkin: Shutterstock.com; Monster of the Deep: ALLAN DAVEY; Bat Wraps Up:Shutterstock.com (night sky); Ivan Kuzmin/Alamy Stock Photo (bat); The Legend of Sleepy Hollow: Gary Hanna;  Bats: Spooky or Sweet?: Joe McDonald/Getty Images