Fall Classroom Activities for Halloween and Thanksgiving

Every year I absolutely love doing all of the fall classroom activities. When I can integrate thematic reading and writing activities, it’s a win-win! Just like when I shared about my apple week during September, these ideas are perfect for October and November!

My Favorite Fall Reading and Writing Activities: Learning Booklets!

One of my new favorite Fall reading and writing activities to use with students are these little learning booklets. In October and November, I love having my students make these books for what we’re learning!

They give students an opportunity to write a creative, spooky story, and read informational texts about pumpkins and record what they’ve learned.

Today I’m sharing all about them with you, PLUS I’m sharing my favorite Fall picture books you can use in your classroom!

*All books are linked in my Amazon affiliate storefront*

Write a Spooky Story

First, writing a spooky story is ALWAYS a hit! In this little booklet, students get to create their own spooky story. After reading aloud some of our favorite Halloween, spooky-themed picture books, I tell students that they get to create their very own spoooooky story!

There are so many great picture books you can use to get your students excited about writing their own spooky stories. A few years ago I was at Half Price Books and found the book The Story of Frog Belly Rat Bone by Timothy Basil Ering. It’s not necessarily “spooky,” but the illustrations are so perfect for this time of year!

Crankenstein is another favorite read aloud!

This is the perfect way for students to review story elements. They get to design everything from the characters and setting to the problem and solution!

Plus, you can have your students work on their own spooky stories throughout the week, and then hold a spooky storytelling share time on Friday! Trust me, it will be a HIT with your students!

Veterans Day Writing

One school I worked at held a Veterans Day assembly every year, and I wanted my students to come to it having some prior knowledge about Veterans Day.

That’s why we always spent a few days reading picture books about veterans. We learned who they are and some basic facts about Veterans Day.

We recorded all of our learning in this Veterans Day booklet shown here! The Wall by Eve Bunting is one of the best picture books to use for Veterans Day.

The little learning book can be used with any of your lessons on Veterans Day! It includes a KWL chart and multiple places for students to add information they’ve learned!