Lesson Plan
Spooky Story Stew
Students will collaboratively construct a Halloween-themed story, developing imaginative writing and teamwork skills within a small group setting.
This lesson helps students practice creative writing, narrative structure, and collaborative problem-solving in a fun, engaging way. Working in groups strengthens communication and social skills.
Audience
3rd and 4th Grade Elementary Students
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Interactive story building game and collaborative writing.
Materials
Small Group Whiteboards or Large Paper, Dry Erase Markers or Pencils, Spooky Story Slides, Spooky Story Game, and Collaborative Story Activity
Prep
Review Materials & Setup
10 minutes
- Review the Spooky Story Stew Lesson Plan, Spooky Story Slides, Spooky Story Game, and Collaborative Story Activity.
- Prepare whiteboards/large paper and markers/pencils for each small group.
- Divide students into small groups (3-4 students per group) prior to class.
Step 1
Introduction & Hook (5 minutes)
5 minutes
- Display Spooky Story Slides Slide 1: "Ready for a Recipe?"
- Greet students and introduce the idea of creating a "Spooky Story Stew" together.
- Ask: "What makes a story spooky or fun for Halloween?" (Take a few quick responses).
- Explain that today, they'll be working in small groups to cook up their own unique Halloween tale. Show Spooky Story Slides Slide 2: "Our Story Ingredients" and briefly explain the components (character, setting, problem, solution, ending).
Step 2
The Spooky Story Game (10 minutes)
10 minutes
- Distribute the Spooky Story Game cards to each small group.
- Explain the rules: Each group will draw one card from each category (Character, Setting, Problem, Object) to gather their story ingredients.
- Guide groups as they draw their cards and share their ingredients aloud within their group.
- Encourage discussion within groups about how these elements could fit into a story.
Step 3
Collaborative Story Activity (10 minutes)
10 minutes
- Transition to the Collaborative Story Activity.
- Instruct groups to use their drawn cards as the foundation for their story.
- Provide each group with a whiteboard or large paper to write their story collaboratively.
- Circulate among groups, offering support, asking guiding questions (e.g., "How does your character react to the problem?" "What kind of solution are they thinking of?"), and ensuring all members are contributing.
- Remind them to focus on the key parts: beginning, middle, and end. Display Spooky Story Slides Slide 3: "Cook Up Your Story!"
Step 4
Share & Reflect (5 minutes)
5 minutes
- Bring the class back together.
- Ask 1-2 groups to quickly share a brief summary of their
Step 5
Share & Reflect (5 minutes)
5 minutes
- Bring the class back together.
- Ask 1-2 groups to quickly share a brief summary of their
Step 6
Share & Reflect (5 minutes)
5 minutes
- Bring the class back together.
- Ask 1-2 groups to quickly share a brief summary of their
Step 7
Share & Reflect (5 minutes)
5 minutes
- Bring the class back together.
- Ask 1-2 groups to quickly share a brief summary of their
Step 8
Share & Reflect (5 minutes)
5 minutes
- Bring the class back together.
- Ask 1-2 groups to quickly share a brief summary of their story, or a particularly spooky part.
- Display Spooky Story Slides Slide 4: "Our Spooky Stew!"
- Conclude by praising their creativity and teamwork, reinforcing the idea that stories are like recipes with many ingredients.
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Slide Deck
Ready for a Recipe?
Today, we're cooking up some fun!
Welcome students and introduce the idea of creating a fun, spooky story together, like cooking a "Spooky Story Stew". Ask them what makes a story interesting or spooky.
Our Story Ingredients
- Character: Who is in your story?
- Setting: Where and when does it take place?
- Problem: What challenge does your character face?
- Solution: How do they solve it?
- Ending: How does the story wrap up?
Explain that every good story needs ingredients. Briefly go over each component: Character (who), Setting (where/when), Problem (what goes wrong), Solution (how they fix it), and Ending (how it wraps up).
Cook Up Your Story!
- Use your ingredients from the game.
- Work together in your groups.
- Create a beginning, middle, and end.
- Be creative and have fun!
Encourage students to use their game cards as inspiration. Remind them to work together in their groups, ensuring everyone contributes ideas. Circulate to offer help and guidance.
Our Spooky Stew!
Time to share our amazing stories!
Invite a few groups to share their stories. Praise their creativity and teamwork. Emphasize that every story is unique and special, just like a stew with different ingredients.
Game
Spooky Story Game: Ingredient Cards
Objective
To randomly select key story elements that will form the foundation of your group's unique Halloween story!
Materials
- One set of "Character" cards per group
- One set of "Setting" cards per group
- One set of "Problem" cards per group
- One set of "Object" cards per group
Instructions
- Form Your Teams: Get into your small groups.
- Shuffle the Decks: Carefully shuffle each pile of cards (Characters, Settings, Problems, Objects) so they are well mixed.
- Draw Your Ingredients: Each group will draw ONE card from each of the following categories:
- Character Card: Who is the main character of your story?
- Setting Card: Where does your spooky story take place?
- Problem Card: What challenge or mystery does your character face?
- Object Card: What special item appears in your story?
- Discuss Your Hand: Once all cards are drawn, spend a few minutes discussing your ingredients as a group.
- What ideas do these cards spark?
- How might these elements connect in a spooky way?
- Which character will use which object to solve the problem?
- Get Ready to Cook! Hold onto your cards! These are the essential ingredients for your Collaborative Story Activity!
Example Cards (Teacher will provide actual cards to cut out or display):
Character Cards:
- A Curious Vampire Bat
- A Shy Ghost Who Loves to Prank
- A Brave Black Cat
- A Friendly Witch with a Broken Broom
- A Mischievous Zombie Kid
Setting Cards:
- An Abandoned Pumpkin Patch at Midnight
- A Creaky Old Lighthouse on a Stormy Night
- A Whispering Graveyard Under a Full Moon
- A Spooky Carnival with Fog Machines
- A Haunted School Library After Hours
Problem Cards:
- Lost Their Voice Before the Big Halloween Concert
- A Magic Spell Went Wrong and Turned Everything Blue
- Their Favorite Halloween Candy Disappeared
- A Friendly Monster is Scared of Its Own Shadow
- The Moon is Stuck in the Clouds and Won't Come Out
Object Cards:
- A Glow-in-the-Dark Skeleton Key
- A Talking Jack-o[#x2019] -Lantern
- A Sparkling Spiderweb Cloak
- A Book of Silly Spells
- A Bag of Never-Ending Lollipops
Activity
Collaborative Story Activity: Cooking Up Your Tale!
Objective
Working as a team, you will use the "ingredients" you drew in the Spooky Story Game to write a unique and exciting Halloween story!
Materials
- Your group's "Ingredient Cards" from the Spooky Story Game
- Whiteboard or large piece of paper
- Markers or pencils
Instructions
-
Review Your Ingredients: Look at the Character, Setting, Problem, and Object cards your group drew. Discuss how these elements can work together.
- Who is your main character?
- Where does your story happen?
- What is the spooky problem?
- How can the special object help or be part of the story?
-
Brainstorm Together (5 minutes): As a group, talk about the plot of your story.
- What happens first (the beginning)?
- What big event or challenge happens in the middle (the problem and attempts to solve it)?
- How does your story end (the solution and conclusion)?
- Everyone should share at least one idea!
-
Write Your Story (10 minutes): On your whiteboard or large paper, begin writing your story together. One person can write while others share ideas, or you can take turns writing sentences. Make sure:
- Your story has a clear beginning, middle, and end.
- You include your chosen character, setting, problem, and object.
- You use descriptive words to make your story spooky and fun!
- Everyone contributes to the writing or idea generation.
-
Practice Sharing (5 minutes): After you finish writing, read your story aloud within your group. Decide who will share a summary or a favorite part of your story with the rest of the class.
Group Story:
Character:
Setting:
Problem:
Object:
Our Spooky Story:
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