The Story of Halloween
What’s inside...
Explores the history of Halloween from the holiday's Celtic origins over 2000 years ago to present-day celebrations, and provides spooky riddles and ideas for pumpkin art. Originally a harvest festival, Halloween was a time for people in Great Britain, Ireland, and northern France to give thanks for their crops. Over the years, the holiday evolved to include beliefs in elves, spirits, and other scary creatures roaming the earth, leading to the ghost and goblin-themed celebrations we know today.
Discussion points
What do you think people enjoy most about celebrating Halloween?
How do you feel about the different Halloween traditions mentioned in the book?
Which character in the story would you like to be and why?
What have you learned about the history of Halloween from this book?
Can you think of a new way to celebrate Halloween based on this story?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their thoughts and feelings about Halloween traditions. This promotes emotional development and personal expression.
Discuss the historical aspects of Halloween to provide educational value and connect the past with present celebrations.
Ask your child to imagine being a character from the book during discussions to enhance their creative thinking and empathy.
Create a fun learning environment by planning a themed reading night based on the book, complete with costumes and decorations.
Encourage comparison between cultural celebrations of Halloween and their own experiences to boost critical thinking and global awareness.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Understanding diverse cultural traditions
Explanation: The book traces the origins of Halloween back to ancient Celtic traditions, providing a historical perspective.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of cultural diversity and the significance of respecting and understanding traditions different from their own.
Example Lesson: The value of community participation
Explanation: The story illustrates communities coming together to celebrate Halloween through activities like trick-or-treating and costume parades.
Real-World Application: It encourages kids to engage in community activities, teaching them about cooperation and social interaction.
Example Lesson: Creativity and self-expression
Explanation: Characters in the book craft costumes and decorate their homes, showcasing personal creativity and expression.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this by exploring their artistic interests through crafts and other self-expressive activities.
Example Lesson: Historical awareness
Explanation: The book presents information about how Halloween has been celebrated over the centuries, linking past and present.
Real-World Application: This can help children develop an interest in history and understand the evolution of cultural practices.
Example Lesson: Safety awareness
Explanation: Safety measures during Halloween activities such as trick-or-treating are highlighted.
Real-World Application: This teaches children important safety practices that are applicable during Halloween and other public festivities.