Even the most reluctant beginning writers love to experiment with the "cliffhanger," and Halloween provides the perfect excuse to put pen to paper. The thought that you can "tease" your readers (without getting in trouble for it!) gets most kids excited about writing. These stories can be mysterious, creepy, or suspensful, but one thing is certain-- your second grader's enthusiasm for writing will be anything but scary!
What You Need:
- Paper
- Pencils
What You Do:
- On one sheet of paper, brainstorm “Halloween Words”, such as gloomy, creepy, black cat, goblin, ghost, eerie, dark. Retell some of your favorite ghost stories, too. This will get your child excited about the activity.
- Explain the meaning of a “cliffhanger”. Talk about movies or books your child has read in which the ending was left off and he was stuck wondering what happened next. Explain that he will write his own cliffhanger using his list of Halloween words to help form ideas. Just as his story reaches the most exciting moment, he should stop writing.
- Motivate your child to complete the activity by telling him you will be writing a cliffhanger, too. When you are both finished with your stories, you will finish each other’s cliffhangers.
- Find a cozy spot for each of you to write your cliffhanger. Exchange stories and praise your child for his creativity and hard work. Once you finish the endings, read the stories together.
- Finally, gather the whole family, turn off the lights and shine a flashlight on the reader. Play some creepy background music while you and your child take turns reading your cliffhangers. Not only will you set the scene for a spooky Halloween, you’ll provide a positive and memorable writing experience for your child!
Related learning resources
Write a Personal Narrative Story
Worksheet
Write a Personal Narrative Story
This worksheet template guides children through the pre-writing and writing process, helping them to organise their thoughts before they write.
Year 3
Reading & Writing
Worksheet
Write Your Own Ending
Lesson plan
Write Your Own Ending
Students will read a fun story and then write their own ending.
Year 3
Maths
Lesson plan
Write About Mae Jemison
Worksheet
Write About Mae Jemison
Use this worksheet to help students write sentences about the first African American women to enter space, Mae Jemison.
Year one
Reading & Writing
Worksheet
Write About Your Pet
Worksheet
Write About Your Pet
Your second grader will be guided to think of details to write about a pet in this worksheet.
Year 3
Reading & Writing
Worksheet
Write an Earth Day Song
Worksheet
Write an Earth Day Song
This April kids can write their own Earth Day song or poem using this colorful worksheet.
Year 3
Reading & Writing
Worksheet
Write a Thanksgiving Day Poem
Activity
Write a Thanksgiving Day Poem
This holiday, why not memorialize some of those details and events with a family poem? You can create a lasting memory in the form of a poem with contributions f
Year one
Reading & Writing
Activity
Write Your Own Summer Limerick
Worksheet
Write Your Own Summer Limerick
Students will seek to write their own limerick by filling in blank spaces for nouns, adjectives, and adverbs. Then they'll add an illustration to complete their poem!
Year 3
Reading & Writing
Worksheet
Draw and Write
Worksheet
Draw and Write
Got a case of writer's block? One great way to get started is to draw a picture!
Year 3
Reading & Writing
Worksheet
Write a Seasonal Alphabet Poem
Activity
Write a Seasonal Alphabet Poem
...As you do, have her assist you in spelling the words or simply have her write them on the paper herself....
Year 3
Reading & Writing
Activity
Write a Going Green Plan
Activity
Write a Going Green Plan
...Have your child write a sentence at the top of the page that states that all family members agree to the plan....
Year 3
Reading & Writing
Activity
The Write Direction
Workbook
The Write Direction
Get your second grader's creativity flowing with this workbook, boasting all of the right stuff he needs to create events in a sequence, and eventually even pen his own prompts!
Year 3
Reading & Writing
Workbook
Write a Story From an Ant's Perspective
Activity
Write a Story From an Ant's Perspective
Here's a writing activity that helps young learners explore an ant's perspective...and practise writing, too!
Year 2
Reading & Writing
Activity