Lesson Plan
Halloween: Fact vs. Fiction?
Students will be able to identify and differentiate between common Halloween myths and historical facts.
Understanding the origins of traditions helps students develop critical thinking skills and appreciate cultural nuances. This lesson encourages students to question information and seek evidence.
Audience
8th Grade
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Debate and discovery.
Materials
- Halloween Fact vs. Fiction Slide Deck, - Teacher Script: Fact vs. Fiction Debate, - Fact or Fiction Debate Activity, - Whiteboard or projector, and - Markers/pens
Prep
Review Materials
10 minutes
- Review the Halloween Fact vs. Fiction Slide Deck to familiarize yourself with the content.
- Read through the Teacher Script: Fact vs. Fiction Debate to prepare for leading the discussion.
- Ensure you have access to a whiteboard or projector for displaying slides and facilitating the debate.
Step 1
Introduction & Hook
5 minutes
- Begin with the Halloween Fact vs. Fiction Slide Deck to engage students.
- Use the Teacher Script: Fact vs. Fiction Debate to introduce the topic of Halloween traditions and the concept of distinguishing fact from fiction.
Step 2
Fact or Fiction Activity
15 minutes
- Present various Halloween statements from the Halloween Fact vs. Fiction Slide Deck.
- Divide students into small groups or pairs.
- Have students discuss whether each statement is a 'fact' or 'fiction' using the Fact or Fiction Debate Activity as a guide.
- Encourage them to provide reasoning for their choices.
Step 3
Class Share & Reveal
8 minutes
- Bring the class back together.
- Have each group share their conclusions for a few statements.
- Reveal the correct answers and provide brief explanations using the Teacher Script: Fact vs. Fiction Debate.
- Facilitate a brief discussion on why it's important to question information.
Step 4
Conclusion
2 minutes
- Wrap up the lesson by reiterating the importance of critical thinking and historical accuracy.
- Ask students to share one interesting fact they learned.
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Slide Deck
Halloween: Fact vs. Fiction?
Are you ready to separate the spooky truth from the creepy tall tales?
Welcome students and introduce the topic of Halloween. Ask them what comes to mind when they think of Halloween.
Our Mission Today
We're going to investigate some popular Halloween ideas and decide if they're real or just fun stories!
Explain the objective: to explore common Halloween beliefs and determine if they are based on fact or fiction.
Statement 1: Witches fly on brooms.
Fact or Fiction?
Introduce the first statement. Give students time to discuss in groups before revealing the answer.
FICTION!
The image of witches flying on brooms comes from European folklore and stories, not actual historical events. It's a fun part of the myth!
Reveal the answer and provide a brief explanation. (Fiction - roots in folklore and ancient pagan practices where women used broom-like staffs in rituals, but not for flying.)
Statement 2: Halloween comes from an ancient Celtic festival.
Fact or Fiction?
Introduce the second statement. Give students time to discuss in groups.
FACT!
Halloween's origins are indeed rooted in the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain (pronounced 'Sow-in'). It marked the end of summer and the harvest, and the beginning of the dark, cold winter.
Reveal the answer and explain. (Fact - Samhain, a pagan festival marking the end of summer and harvest, beginning of winter).
Statement 3: Trick-or-treating started with people asking for food in exchange for prayers.
Fact or Fiction?
Introduce the third statement. Give students time to discuss in groups.
FACT!
The tradition of 'souling' involved poor people going door-to-door on Hallowmas (All Saints' Day), asking for 'soul cakes' in exchange for prayers for the dead. This evolved into modern trick-or-treating.
Reveal the answer and explain. (Fact - Soul cakes, poor people begging for food and offering prayers for the dead.)
Statement 4: Black cats are inherently evil.
Fact or Fiction?
Introduce the fourth statement. Give students time to discuss in groups.
FICTION!
The association of black cats with bad luck and witches comes from medieval superstitions. Cats, regardless of color, are just animals! They are not inherently evil.
Reveal the answer and explain. (Fiction - Superstition, historically associated with witches and bad luck, but not truly evil.)
Statement 5: Jack-o'-lanterns were originally made from turnips.
Fact or Fiction?
Introduce the fifth statement. Give students time to discuss in groups.
FACT!
In Ireland, people originally carved scary faces into turnips or potatoes to ward off evil spirits. When Irish immigrants came to America, they found pumpkins were much easier to carve!
Reveal the answer and explain. (Fact - Irish tradition, carving scary faces into turnips or potatoes to ward off evil spirits.)
Why does it matter?
It's important to question what we hear and learn the real stories behind our traditions. Critical thinking helps us understand the world better!
Recap the importance of critical thinking and ask students what they found most surprising.
Script
Teacher Script: Fact vs. Fiction Debate
Introduction & Hook (5 minutes)
"Good morning, everyone! (or afternoon/evening) Today, we're going to dive into one of the most mysterious and fun holidays of the year: Halloween! When you hear the word 'Halloween,' what are some things that immediately come to mind? Shout them out!"
"Great responses! Witches, ghosts, candy, costumes, pumpkins – all fantastic! But how much do we really know about where these traditions come from? A lot of what we think we know about Halloween is actually a blend of history, folklore, and just plain fun. Today, our mission is to become Halloween detectives. We're going to investigate some popular Halloween ideas and decide if they are fact (meaning they are historically true or based on evidence) or fiction (meaning they are myths, legends, or made-up stories)."
"Are you ready to separate the spooky truth from the creepy tall tales? Let's get started!"
Transition to Halloween Fact vs. Fiction Slide Deck - Slide 1 and 2
Fact or Fiction Activity (15 minutes)
"Alright, detectives! I'm going to show you a statement about Halloween. Your job, in your small groups or pairs, is to discuss whether you think it's a FACT or FICTION. Be ready to explain why you think that! We'll use this Fact or Fiction Debate Activity to help us keep track of our thoughts."
Display Halloween Fact vs. Fiction Slide Deck - Slide 3
"Statement 1: Witches fly on brooms. Discuss with your groups. Fact or Fiction?"
Allow 1-2 minutes for discussion.
Display Halloween Fact vs. Fiction Slide Deck - Slide 4
"What did your groups decide? [Call on a few groups for their thoughts]. The answer is FICTION! The image of witches flying on brooms comes from European folklore and stories, not actual historical events. It's a fun part of the myth!"
Display Halloween Fact vs. Fiction Slide Deck - Slide 5
"Statement 2: Halloween comes from an ancient Celtic festival. Fact or Fiction? Discuss."
Allow 1-2 minutes for discussion.
Display Halloween Fact vs. Fiction Slide Deck - Slide 6
"Let's hear your ideas! [Call on a few groups]. This one is a FACT! Halloween's origins are indeed rooted in the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain (pronounced 'Sow-in'). It marked the end of summer and the harvest, and the beginning of the dark, cold winter."
Display Halloween Fact vs. Fiction Slide Deck - Slide 7
"Statement 3: Trick-or-treating started with people asking for food in exchange for prayers. Fact or Fiction?"
Allow 1-2 minutes for discussion.
Display Halloween Fact vs. Fiction Slide Deck - Slide 8
"Any thoughts on this one? [Call on a few groups]. This is also a FACT! The tradition of 'souling' involved poor people going door-to-door on Hallowmas (All Saints' Day), asking for 'soul cakes' in exchange for prayers for the dead. This evolved into modern trick-or-treating."
Display Halloween Fact vs. Fiction Slide Deck - Slide 9
"Statement 4: Black cats are inherently evil. What do you think? Fact or Fiction?"
Allow 1-2 minutes for discussion.
Display Halloween Fact vs. Fiction Slide Deck - Slide 10
"Alright, what's the verdict? [Call on a few groups]. This is FICTION! The association of black cats with bad luck and witches comes from medieval superstitions. Cats, regardless of color, are just animals! They are not inherently evil."
Display Halloween Fact vs. Fiction Slide Deck - Slide 11
"Statement 5: Jack-o[U+0027]-lanterns were originally made from turnips. Last one! Fact or Fiction?"
Allow 1-2 minutes for discussion.
Display Halloween Fact vs. Fiction Slide Deck - Slide 12
"And the answer is... FACT! In Ireland, people originally carved scary faces into turnips or potatoes to ward off evil spirits. When Irish immigrants came to America, they found pumpkins were much easier to carve!"
Class Share & Reveal (8 minutes)
"Excellent work, everyone! It looks like you're all becoming master detectives. Now, let's reflect on what we've learned. Why do you think it's important to understand the difference between fact and fiction, especially when it comes to cultural traditions like Halloween?"
"Exactly! It helps us appreciate history, understand other cultures, and not believe everything we hear without questioning it. Critical thinking is a superpower!"
Conclusion (2 minutes)
"Before we wrap up, can one or two people share one interesting Halloween fact that they learned today, or one myth that they were surprised to find out was a myth?"
"Fantastic! Thank you all for being such engaged and curious learners today. Keep those critical thinking hats on, not just for Halloween, but for everything you encounter!"
Activity
Fact or Fiction Debate Activity
Instructions: With your group or partner, read each statement about Halloween. Discuss whether you think the statement is a FACT (historically true or based on evidence) or FICTION (a myth, legend, or made-up story). Write down your group's decision and a brief reason why.
Statement 1: Witches fly on brooms.
Our Decision: Fact / Fiction (circle one)
Our Reasoning:
Statement 2: Halloween comes from an ancient Celtic festival.
Our Decision: Fact / Fiction (circle one)
Our Reasoning:
Statement 3: Trick-or-treating started with people asking for food in exchange for prayers.
Our Decision: Fact / Fiction (circle one)
Our Reasoning:
Statement 4: Black cats are inherently evil.
Our Decision: Fact / Fiction (circle one)
Our Reasoning:
Statement 5: Jack-o[U+0027]-lanterns were originally made from turnips.
Our Decision: Fact / Fiction (circle one)
Our Reasoning:
Reflection Question:
Why is it important to distinguish between fact and fiction when learning about traditions like Halloween?