If you’re looking for a fun and engaging read-aloud this Halloween, The Good, the Bad, and the Spooky by Jory John is on my reading list every year! This fun story not only entertains but also opens the door to important conversations about feelings and friendship. I love pairing it with activities that encourage students to share their own Halloween experiences and emotions, build a sense of community in the classroom and celebrate the season while teaching valuable lessons!
Visit my TPT store to learn more about the low-prep printables and 3 days of lesson plans I offer to accompany reading The Good, the Bad, and the Spooky by Jory John or keep reading this post for some free ideas and fun activity suggestions.
Summary of The Good, the Bad, and the Spooky
The Good, the Bad, and the Spooky by Jory John features a character named Seed who is feeling sad on Halloween, his favorite holiday. He is excited but has no costume and so to buy himself some time, Seed tells everyone that Halloween is canceled because of a fake storm and some squirrels. However, a friendly pumpkin seed tells him that Halloween is about having fun together, not just about costumes. This helps Seed realize he has been too worried about what others think.
By the end, Seed learns that spending time with friends is what really matters. He decides to join in the Halloween fun, letting go of his worries. I love teaching this story to help emphasize that Halloween is not about costumes or who got the most candis – The Good, the Bad, and the Spooky book teaches kids about friendship, the true meaning of holidays, and the joy of being with others. It’s a great way to spark conversations about feelings and community in the classroom!
Engaging The Good, the Bad, and the Spooky Activities
Costume Show and Tell
Have each student design a costume for Seed by drawing or description their Halloween costume ideas. Set aside time for them to share with the class, explaining what they love about it and any memories tied to it.
Creative Writing
- Assign students to write a short story about their own Halloween adventures, incorporating elements of fear and friendship.
- Encourage them to illustrate their stories, highlighting the fun aspects of Halloween.
Lesson Plan Ideas for The Good, the Bad, and the Spooky
- Read-Aloud Session:
- Read the book aloud and pause to discuss the character’s feelings and choices.
- Ask students about their own experiences with fear and excitement during Halloween.
- Group Discussion:
- Facilitate a discussion on how friends can help each other overcome fears.
- Explore the idea of different types of fear and how to support one another in facing them.
- Creative Writing:
- Wrap-Up Reflection:
- Conclude with a reflection on the importance of friendship and kindness during festive times.
- Consider having students share their reflections in pairs or small groups.
Final Thoughts
The Good, the Bad, and the Spooky is more than just a Halloween tale; it’s a powerful reminder of the importance of friendship and support. By incorporating these activities and lesson plans into your classroom, you can create a warm and inclusive environment where students feel safe to express themselves and celebrate the spirit of Halloween together.
Happy teaching and Halloween fun!
If you are looking for even more Halloween books to read with your students, in my TPT store you will also find a growing bundle of Halloween read-alouds that includes 5 engaging books plus a bonus cauldron writing craft, all for the price of less than two individual units! A new non-scary Halloween book perfect for elementary students is added each week, ensuring you’ll have fresh, fun activities leading up to Halloween. Perfect for encouraging students to interact with the stories in meaningful and creative ways! Click the image below to learn more:
