Intermediate ESL Text on Halloween

Purpose: To give learners a brief introduction to an often mystifying American holiday. The procedure listed below gives student practice with using reading strategies to increase comprehension.

Note: The accompanying text deals with Halloween in a superficial way. With more advanced learners, you may decide to talk about the pagan roots of the holiday, the symbols associated with Halloween, why some are associated with death and considered “scary," and observances in other cultures that resemble Halloween in different ways, such as the Day of the Dead in Mexico.

Prep time: 5-10 minutes

Materials: Copies of text (see link below), projector, candy for role play (optional).

Prep:

1. Preview the text and make copies for students.
2. If you anticipate that the text will be challenging, make extra copies and cut each extra copy into separate paragraphs.

Procedure:

1. Project a copy of the text. Ask students, “What is this about? How do you know?” If necessary, model how to read the title and preview the pictures.
2. If students indicate they know very little about Halloween, pass out copies of the first paragraph only. Students read individually two or three times. Ask them what the paragraph is about. Once students figure out the main idea of the paragraph, repeat with each paragraph until they have a basic understanding of the text. Keep in mind that students will gain a deeper level of comprehension through answering the questions that follow the text (step 4).
3. If students indicate they have some familiarity with Halloween, pass out the entire text. Students read individually two or three times. Ask students to tell a partner three things they remember from the text. Circulate to confirm that students have a basic understanding of the text.  
4. Students answer the questions that follow the text. The questions are designed to have students use critical thinking skills to increase their comprehension of the text. If students need assistance, direct them back to the text as much as possible to find answers.
5. Circulate to make note of students you wish to call upon to share out their answers with the class.

Extensions: Act out Trick or Treating. Some people play the roles of neighbors, who open the door for others who knock and say “trick or treat." Have them give out small candies or fun pencils. The visitors say “thank you” and the neighbors say “You’re welcome.”

Note: Explain to learners that if they want children to come to their door, they should turn on an outside light. If they don’t want children to come to the door, keep the lights off!

Halloween presents an opportunity to talk about nutrition and food safety. Many learners may not realize the importance of looking at what their children bring home or monitoring what their children eat. You could also talk about ways to limit the intake of sugar by allowing children to eat a limited amount at a time. Suggest establishing guidelines with kids before they go out.