Subject: ELA (English Language Arts)

Lesson Length: 45 mins - 1 hour

Topic: Narrative Writing

Grade Level: 3, 4, 5

Standards / Framework:

Brief Description: Get students familiarized with Pixton by asking them to imagine a spooky story about being alone in a house on a dark and stormy night.

Know Before You Start: This lesson can be used to introduce students to the genre of horror stories.

Hook:

  • Read an age-appropriate scary story. Engage students in a discussion about the text.
    • What type of story is this?
    • What are some of the characteristics of scary stories?
  • Responses might include suspenseful, surprise endings, spooky setting, etc.

Activity:

  • Have students create a three-to-five panel comic telling a creepy story with monsters, real or imagined.
    • How did the main character find themselves in this situation? What is the danger? What did they do, think, or feel?
    • What type of monster is it--a mummy, zombie, creature from space, or other type of monster?
    • Describe the monster. How does it look, act, and smell?
    • How does the main character resolve the problem?
    • What is the surprise ending?

Closure:

  • Showcase finished comics in a gallery walk.

Differentiation:

  • Allow students to use the speech-to-text feature.
  • Allow students to use the voiceover feature to read their comics aloud.
  • Provide a short scary story that students can retell.

Resources:

Suggested Content Packs:

Suggested Story Starters: