We went around in a circle and made up our own version of the story, brainstorming what else the old lady could have eaten that reminded us of Hallowe’en Whether you’re a lover of frogs and snails, mushrooms and moss, or fairies and the goblin king, there’s something for you in Goblincore Coloring Book. Inspired by earth and nature, the goblincore aesthetic relishes the wonderful diversity all around us, both the beautiful and the beautifully ugly. Play a game of “Evermore/Nevermore”— ask children if they want to eat broccoli, dance all the time, etc, and have them respond with either “Evermore” if they’d like to always do something, or “Nevermore” if they want to protest it

In this version, the old lady swallows several Hallowe’en related figures and animals, and the author cleverly switches the traditional “There was an old lady who swallowed a fly, I don’t know why she swallowed a fly, perhaps she’ll die” to the more child-friendly, “There was an old lady who swallowed, I don’t know why she swallowed a bat, imagine that.” I also appreciated that the lady didn’t get “bigger” as she ate more things, as she does in some other stories. Sorting activities: scramble up a bunch of fall-inspired miniatures, table scatter — whatever you have — and have the children sort it out using tongs, tweezers, spoons or their fingers for fine motor practice.

Books Multibuys

While reading, I had the children each act out animals and make the animal sounds as each animal wasnamed (and swallowed by the Old Lady). I reviewed and discussed Frankenstein: A Montrous Parody by “Ludworst Bemonster” previously, but the kids are really enjoying this slightly sinister tale so we have had a bit of fun extending the book into our day. It gives 51%+ profits to Reverence for Life, who fund a number of important initiatives in Africa, including bringing running water and basic equipment to a school in Tanzania.

For even more fun and exciting ways to build key literacy skills with your students, take a look at these lovely Halloween Handwriting Worksheets. What are some fun Halloween activities for kids? Play “Spider on the Shape,” cutting out felt shapes and having a felt spider hop from shape to shape in a form of mini-Twister (you can also make a “life sized version.”) Edgar Gets Ready for Bed by Jennifer Adams is a sweet, modern take on Edgar Allen Poe’s “The Raven”— for children! Edgar is a little raven protesting all of the steps along the way to bedtime with that infamous “Nevermore!” screech. If you enjoy Mo Willems books, you’ll enjoy this one. Explore this rich history of magic and intrigue, as well as occult rituals and esoteric philosophies that continue today. Stories of the Occult looks at hauntings, unexplained deaths, witchcraft, mythical creatures and much more. get ready for bed! This is the perfect before-bed book, as it captures the similar routines (and struggles) that many families follow.Featuring word searches, anagrams, drawing tasks and even a short story-writing activity, this booklet truly has something for everyone. Completing these tasks will not only help kids get into the spirit of Halloween, but it will also help them express their creativity through drawing, engage in creative writing and boost their word recognition skills. There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed a Bat by Lucille Colandra is a fun Hallowe’en twist on the conventional There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly rhyme. Along with amazing meals to make any time of the year, The Witch’s Cookbook features “Witch Tips” that offer additional spells and blessings for your home and hearth. From breakfast to dessert and everything in between, The Witch’s Cookbook is sure to be your cooking companion for every solstice, full moon, and magical day of the year! Use chocolate or ice cube molds to make frozen yogurt or chocolate treats for the children to recreate their own version of the story with — we made frozen yogurt bones! Invite the children to make their own ripped-paper illustrations and collages, inspired by the illustrations in the book.