Getting Ready for Halloween: Pumpkins and Skeletons

I know - Halloween is 1.5 months away. I am recommending a few titles now, so that you can grab them early from the library or order them now.

Over the years, I have frequently come back to the book Pumpkin Circle as a springboard in preschool, kindergarten, and first grade classes. Through photos and text, the book shares the story of pumpkins from seed to pumpkin (and even back into the garden, decomposing). I love having the students explore size changes, growth and expansion, twisty tendrils, and more. If you have a gardening program at your school, consider teaming up with the instructor on a small project together.

Around Halloween time, I also love using the book Dem Bones by Bob Barner ("foot bone connected to the ankle bone"). "Dem Bones" is one of the most well-known African American spirituals. I love to read the book to the class, and then create a warm up based on the lyrics. 

You can create a whole "skeleton" dance study - using Dem Bones, Bones: Skeletons and How They Work by Steve Jenkins, and the "Fossils" music from The Carnival of the Animals. Dem Bones can be used as a warm up activity. Bones: Skeletons and How They Work can introduce some basic information to the students. You can lead improvisation activities with the students focusing on and isolating different bones/body parts. As a class, you can create a simple "bone dance" and use the music from The Carnival of the Animals.

 

Comments

[Shellystonemktg]

Great resources, Jill. Thanks for sharing! I will share them with my dance teachers, who are always looking for creative ways to include Halloween in their dance classes.