Visions of the Graveyard

 Part One: How to teach "The graveyard book"

The idea of teaching this story around Halloween with a monster theme would be a great start for a unit including this book. In addition to that, I would try to find another scary story to read and then compare the elements of each story. This would be a way to break down the stories and have students look at what makes a story scary, or what should a good scary story include. Another alternate twist on that idea would be to find an age appropriate scary movie and have the students compare and contrast the book and the movie. Students could discuss questions such as how does the writer make a story scary without visuals? What strategies can an author use that a movie director can not use (and vice versa)? These two ideas would allow students to explore the elements of scary stories and what makes for a good scary story vs a bad scary story.

Part Two: Monster Trivia

Q: What piece of literature contains the first know reference to werewolves?

A: The Epic poem "Epic of Gilgamesh"

Q: What metal are werewolves vulnerable to?

A: Silver

Q: When did the infamous Salem Witch Trials start?

A: 1692

Q: How many witches are brewing a potion at the beginning of Shakespeare's "Macbeth"?

A: 3

Q: Which spice/food is reputed to repel vampires?

A: Garlic

Q: Which historical figure is the basis for some of today's vampire stories?

A: Vlad the Impaler

Q: What is the fear of ghosts called?

A: Phasmophobia

Q: Who is known as the "Friendly Ghost"?

A: Casper




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