Spook Up Your Writing: Using Descriptive Language in Your October Lessons
- Jodi Rabitoy
- Sep 29
- 2 min read
There’s just something magical about teaching in October, isn’t there? The pumpkins on desks, the bats and cobwebs creeping into classroom décor, and that extra buzz of excitement in the air. Halloween is the perfect time to channel all that energy into writing—and one of the easiest ways to do it is by leaning into descriptive language.
We all know how quickly student writing can fall into the “and then, and then, and then…” trap. Adding descriptive adjectives is a simple, down-to-earth way to take their writing from flat to fantastic, and Halloween practically begs for it.
Why Descriptive Language Matters
When students sprinkle in descriptive words, their writing suddenly comes alive. Instead of “I saw a pumpkin,” you get:
“I saw a glowing, bumpy pumpkin with a crooked grin.”
Instead of “The witch flew away,” you get:
“The witch flew away on her tattered, squeaky broomstick, cackling into the night.”
These aren’t just spooky sentences—they’re confidence builders. Kids light up when they realize how much fun words can be.
Easy, Engaging Halloween Activities
Here are a few tried-and-true ideas you can plug right into your lesson plans:
Adjective Brainstorm: Write “haunted house,” “black cat,” or “monster” on the board and let students shout out as many descriptive words as they can. You’ll get everything from spooky to smelly to gigantic.
Sentence Stretchers: Give them a simple sentence like “The skeleton walked.” Challenge students to make it creepier, funnier, or grosser by adding adjectives and details.
Classroom Walk-Through: Take a mini “haunted tour” of your classroom. Stop at a pumpkin or a spider decoration and have students jot down three descriptive words on sticky notes. Share out for a class word bank.
The Fun Factor
The best part? Students LOVE it. They get to play with language in a way that feels like a game, not a chore. And when you tie it to Halloween, they’re suddenly writing with enthusiasm you might not see in February or March.
Free Lesson Plan Just for You
To help you get started, I’ve put together a free Halloween writing lesson plan packed with activities you can use right away. It includes a ready-to-go worksheet that lets students build descriptive sentences step by step—perfect for a 30-minute writing block.
So go ahead, lean into the season. Add a little spooky sparkle to your writing block this October. Your students will have a blast, and you’ll be amazed at how quickly their writing grows with just a few descriptive words.
Happy Halloween teaching, friends—you’ve got this! 🎃🕷️👻