Halloween Math Project-Based Learning Activities

What’s scarier than things that go bump in the night?

How about teaching a class full of elementary students buzzing with the excitement of Halloween? It can be hard to keep kids engaged in learning once thoughts of candy, costumes, and creepy critters invade their little brains. Teachers know that just trying to keep students’ attention during the month of October is one of the scariest things of all.

But I’ve got the perfect activity to capture all that Halloween spirit and sneak in extra practice of essential math skills.

Nope. It’s not a trick. This Trick-or-Treat Halloween Project-Based Learning activity is a pure treat. And I’m not talking Circus peanuts or Necco wafers here. I’m talking full-size candy bar treat! But without the sugar. Now you can get your students excited for Halloween without worrying about a candy-crazed classroom.

This PBL activity is designed for students in grades 2-5. It comes with two complete sets of activities–one for grades 2-3 and another for grades 4-5–making it super easy to differentiate. Adding, subtracting, money, time, place value and geometry are just some of the math skills students will practice as they get ready for the spookiest night of the year.

What’s Inside:

• 4 different Halloween themed math activities (9 total pages of activities)
• Color and black and white versions
• Easy to differentiate options for lower (2nd-3rd) and upper (4th-5th) grades
• Answer keys
• Detailed teacher directions

Skills covered Lower Version (2 & 3 grades):

• Addition & Subtraction
• Money
• Time
• Place Value
• Interpreting data
• Geometry
• Graphing
• Word problems

Skills covered Upper Version (4th & 5th grades):

• Addition
• Subtraction
• Multiplication
• Money
• Time
• Place Value
• Interpreting data
• Decimals
• Geometry
• Graphing
• Fractions
• Word problems

How to use this resource:

There are a variety of ways to use this resource in the classroom:

• Use as a whole group activity during one math class in October. It’s perfect for a Friday afternoon, when you are in between units, or as a break from your regular material.
• Use one activity per day for a week to get students into the Halloween spirit.
• Place activities in student math centers.
• Assign to students to complete individually.
• Allow students to work together or in a small group.
• Include as part of your Halloween celebration to keep the focus on learning.
• When using the colored version, print just a few copies and laminate or slide into page protectors. Students can use an expo marker to complete the activities and you’ll have the activity for years.
• Use during guided-math groups to provide extra support to students.
• Include it in your sub plans.

Differentiation:

• This PBL activity is easy to differentiate. We’ve included two complete versions of the activity for you. Simply select the activities that best meet the needs of your learners.
• Use either the lower-grade version or the upper-grade version, or pick and choose activities from each.
• Use different versions of the activities with individual students.
• Assign the second page of the pumpkin carving activity as an extension activity to advanced students.
• Complete more difficult activities as a whole group or in guided math groups.

Time to Complete:

This activity should take between 45-60 minutes, depending on the skill level of your students and whether or not they are working in groups.  Feel free to modify the activities to accommodate your schedule.

The second page of the pumpkin carving activity (with the questions) is optional. It features more challenging questions and makes an excellent extension activity.

Other resources you might like:

Thanksgiving Dinner Math PBL 

Christmas Activities for Math, Reading, Writing & STEM

Valentine’s Day Math PBL

St. Patrick’s Day Math PBL

Easter Math PBL