9 Spooky Middle and High School Halloween Reading Activities – The TPT Blog

As autumn unfolds and October approaches, it’s the perfect opportunity to captivate your English language arts students with chilling reading selections and thrilling writing exercises. Regardless of your curriculum, these Halloween-themed reading activities are guaranteed to capture the interest of your middle and high school students.

It’s no wonder that pumpkin-themed projects and autumn activities are prevalent during this season, but nothing embodies the spirit of Halloween quite like a classic spooky tale. Introduce your students to haunting masterpieces such as Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Tell-Tale Heart” and Shakespeare’s Macbeth.

Tell Tale Heart. Adapted Close Read Halloween Fun. Full Unit for ELA ESL Sp. Ed.
By Textsforesl
Grades: 6th-12th
Standards: CCSS RL.6.1, RL.6.3, RL.6.4, RL.6.6, RL.7.1, RL.7.2, RL.7.4, RL.7.6, RL.8.1, RL.8.3, RL.8.4, RL.8.6, RL.9-10.1, RL.9-10.2, RL.9-10.3, RL.9-10.4, RL.11-12.1; W.6.1, W.6.1a, W.6.1b, W.6.1c, W.6.2, W.6.2c, W.6.2d, W.6.3, W.7.1, W.7.1a, W.7.1b, W.7.1c, W.7.2, W.7.2b, W.7.2c, W.7.3, W.8.1, W.8.1a, W.8.1c, W.8.2b, W.8.2c, W.8.2d, W.8.3, W.9-10.1, W.9-10.1c, W.9-10.2, W.9-10.3, W.11-12.1, W.11-12.1a, W.11-12.1b, W.11-12.1c, W.11-12.1.3; CCRA.R.1; CCRA.L.1; CCRA.L.4

This adapted version of “The Tell-Tale Heart” provides accessibility for a wider range of readers, including ESL, ENL, and Special Education students. The unit consists of comprehensive lesson plans for five days.

The Monkey’s Paw Short Story Unit
By Teaching Muse
Grades: 7th-9th
Standards: CCSS CCRA.R.1, R.2, R.3, R.4, R.5, R.10; CCRA.W.7, W.9, W.10

Guide your students through the unsettling twists of this eerie short story with engaging activities focused on vocabulary, plot analysis, sequencing, theme exploration, and mood.

The Tell-Tale Heart: Reading Quiz
By Onto the Next Chapter
Grades: 7th-10th

This free digital quiz serves as an assessment tool to evaluate your students’ understanding of the tale.

MACBETH Introduction History Informational Texts, Activities PRINT and EASEL
By Diana Bailey
Grades: 9th-11th

Delve into Shakespeare’s haunting tragedy, Macbeth, this fall. The resource incorporates historical context, vocabulary exercises, and critical thinking questions.

LORD OF THE FLIES FINAL EXAM
By SchoolinLife32 X TeachLove
Grades: 9th-12th

Challenge your students’ reading comprehension with this final exam on the haunting narrative of Lord of the Flies. While not overtly Halloween-centric, the unsettling themes certainly align with the spirit of the season.

Listen to some frightfully fun podcasts

Incorporate contemporary urban legends into your classroom through the captivating medium of podcasts, while also aligning your lessons with CCSS for effective speaking and listening.

Scary Podcasts: Lore and Urban Legends
By Engaging and Effective
Grades: 9th-12th
Standards: CCSS RL.9-10.2, 9-10.5; RI.9-10.1, 9-10.3, 9-10.4, 9-10.5, 9-10.6, 9-10.7, 9-10.8

The emerging genre of murder mystery podcasts can enhance your high school Halloween lesson strategies. Infuse a historical aspect by teaching about urban legends.

Explore eerie folktales from around the world

The early days of October not only mark the Halloween festivities but also celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. Utilize this time to share spooky narratives from diverse cultures if possible.

La Llorona Story – Spooky Halloween Alternative – Hispanic Heritage Month
By MrsReaderPants Library Lessons
Grades: 7th-10th
Standards: RL.7.2, RL.7.3, RL.7.9, RL.8.2, RL.8.3, RL.8.9, RL.9-10.3, RL.9-10.6; W.7.3, W.7.3a, W.7.3b, W.7.3d, W.8.3, W.8.3a, W.8.3b, W.8.3c, W.8.3d, W.9-10.3, W.9-10.3a, W.9-10.3b, W.9-10.3d

Engage your students with the haunting tale of “La Llorona.” This comprehensive unit features an illustrated narrative, thought-provoking discussion questions, and a creative writing prompt.

Engage students with suspenseful reading passages

Even if your middle and high schoolers aren’t out collecting candy, they will revel in the thrilling atmosphere of chilling tales.

High Interest Low Level Reading Passages Comprehension Inference Middle School
By Catch-Up Learning
Grades: 6th-11th
Standards: RL.6.1, RL.6.2, RL.6.3, RL.6.4; RI.7.1, RI.7.2, RI.7.4; CCRA.R.1, R.2, R.3, R.4

Keep your students engaged with this carefully designed ELA bundle that offers suspenseful narratives. Each gripping story includes comprehension questions, inferential exercises, spelling tasks, and a graphic organizer to ensure student success.

Scary Short Story Units – Horror Stories – Halloween Reading Comprehension
By Creative Classroom Core
Grades: 7th-12th

This exciting bundle contains three chilling short stories, including “The Birds” by Daphne DuMaurier, “The Elevator” by William Sleator, and “Click Clack the Rattle Bag” by Neil Gaiman. Each unit offers reading comprehension questions, annotation activities, graphic organizers, answer keys, and beyond.

Find more spooktacular Halloween reading activities

The energy surrounding Halloween presents a fantastic chance to enhance learning experiences. From Halloween math exercises to Halloween escape rooms, there’s no shortage of spine-tingling activities suitable for every subject available on TPT.