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Halloween is the perfect time for creativity, and what better way to celebrate than with a festive read-aloud and a hands-on writing activity?
In this post, I’ll walk you through using the book Pick a Pumpkin by Patricia Toht to inspire a fun, Halloween-themed lesson. We’ll also be crafting procedural texts to teach students how to make their very own jack-o’-lanterns!
“Pick a Pumpkin” Overview
Pick a Pumpkin by Patricia Toht is a beautifully illustrated, rhythmic story that takes readers on the delightful journey of choosing, carving, and lighting up a pumpkin to create the perfect Halloween jack-o’-lantern. This book is filled with the charm of fall traditions and highlights the fun and excitement of preparing for Halloween. From visiting the pumpkin patch to scooping out seeds, the story captures the joy of transforming an ordinary pumpkin into something magical.
This book is perfect for engaging young readers in the spirit of Halloween while introducing them to the concept of procedural writing through the step-by-step process of making a jack-o’-lantern.
Halloween Read-Aloud Lesson Plan: How to Make a Jack-o’-Lantern
Objective: Students will learn how to write a procedural text by crafting a step-by-step guide on how to make a jack-o’-lantern, inspired by the book Pick a Pumpkin.
Pre-Reading
Before reading, show the class the cover of Pick a Pumpkin. Ask them what they think the story will be about and prompt a discussion on Halloween traditions. This sets the mood for the upcoming activity and gets students thinking about their own experiences with pumpkins.
Questions to Ask:
- Have you ever bought a pumpkin before?
- Have you ever carved a pumpkin before? What did you like about it?
- What are some Halloween traditions you do with your family?
During Reading
As you read, pause during key moments when the characters are selecting their pumpkins, scooping out seeds, and carving the faces. Discuss the steps involved and how the characters in the book turn an ordinary pumpkin into something magical.
Questions to Ask:
- How do you think the family chooses the perfect pumpkin?
- Why do you think scooping out the pumpkin is an important step?
- What kind of face would you carve into your jack-o’-lantern?
Post Reading
After reading, lead a discussion on the steps of making a jack-o’-lantern, using the book as a reference. This is a great opportunity to introduce the concept of procedural writing, where students explain how to do something in a step-by-step format.
Questions to Ask:
- What were the steps in the story for making a jack-o’-lantern?
- Why is it important to follow each step in order?
- How can you describe each step so someone else could follow your instructions?
Procedural Writing Craft Activity: “How to Make a Jack-o’-Lantern”
In this activity, students will write their own step-by-step instructions for carving a jack-o’-lantern. This hands-on project teaches them the structure of procedural writing while celebrating Halloween!
Materials Needed:
- Writing paper or planning sheet
- Markers, crayons, or colored pencils
- Chart paper for brainstorming
- Large construction paper, scissors, and glue for decoration
- (optional) Jack-o’-lantern template
- (optional) How To Make a Jack O’ Lantern writing resource
Instructions:
- Introduce Procedural Writing: Explain to students that procedural writing is like giving directions. It tells someone how to do something, in this case, how to carve a jack-o’-lantern. Use examples like recipes or instructions for building something.
- Brainstorm as a Class: On chart paper, brainstorm the steps for making a jack-o’-lantern. Start with choosing the pumpkin and go all the way through carving and lighting it up. You can use ideas from Pick a Pumpkin as a guide. If you are using How To Make A Jack O’ Lantern writing resource, check out the brainstorm page and students can use that page as a guide to brainstorm. Make sure to include the essential steps:
- Picking a pumpkin
- Cutting the top
- Scooping out the seeds
- Drawing a face
- Carving the face
- Lighting the jack-o’-lantern
- Plan the Procedural Text: Have students use their planning sheets or notebooks to organize their ideas into a step-by-step format. They should start by writing a title for their procedural text, such as “How to Make a Jack-o’-Lantern.” Then, they can outline the steps in order, using sequencing words like “first,” “next,” “then,” and “finally.” If you are using How To Make A Jack O’ Lantern writing resource, give the students the Transition Word Mat for more sequencing word ideas and the writing checklist as a guide.
- Write the Procedural Text: Once the planning is complete, students can begin writing their procedural texts. Encourage them to include clear action words and specific details for each step, such as “Carefully scoop out the seeds” or “Draw a spooky face with a marker before you start carving.”
- Decorate Their Instructions: After writing, students can decorate their procedural texts by drawing their own jack-o’-lanterns or using the provided template from How To Make A Jack O’ Lantern writing resource to cut and assemble a paper jack-o’-lantern. They can add fun details like spooky faces, flames, or even Halloween decorations! Let me glue their writing on one side of the large construction paper, fold it, and glue the pumpkin on the front folded portion of the construction paper. This will make it look like a book!
- Share the Work: Have a Jack-o’-Lantern Gallery Walk or Showcase where students read their instructions aloud and share their drawings or paper jack-o’-lanterns. You can even create a Halloween bulletin board to display their creative work!
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Cross-Subject Integration:
- Science: Discuss the life cycle of a pumpkin from seed to jack-o’-lantern. You can bring in real pumpkins and talk about their parts (stem, seeds, pulp), or even explore the process of decomposition after Halloween.
- Math: Have students measure the circumference of a pumpkin or weigh different pumpkins to incorporate math skills. Use fractions to talk about dividing the pumpkin into sections when carving.
- Art: Extend the lesson by having students create 3D jack-o’-lanterns using construction paper or other craft supplies.
- SEL (Social-Emotional Learning): Connect this lesson with SEL by discussing how traditions like carving pumpkins bring families and friends together. You can also tie in my Social Emotional Learning Morning Meeting Prompt Resource to continue building classroom community.
Final Thoughts
Pick a Pumpkin is the perfect Halloween read-aloud for sparking creativity and excitement in the classroom. Pairing this magical story with the “How to Make a Jack-o’-Lantern” procedural text activity not only celebrates the holiday but also teaches valuable writing and sequencing skills.
I can’t wait to see how your students’ jack-o’-lanterns turn out! Don’t forget to share their work with me on Instagram @LittleYellowStarTeaches. Have a spooky, fun-filled Halloween, and happy carving!
Here’s to a festive and creative Halloween season!
Prima at LittleYellowStar
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