This Witch Got Caught in Our Window Shade!

Just a little Halloween drama for the week!

     This is my only window in my room...but it's a great little corner to showcase some seasonal books. There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Bat is still one of my favorites. I have a few more good ones, but the kids have already swiped them up! My kids love this little theme corner.

 (By the way...it really does look like a witch got rolled up in my shade!)

The Telltale Heart, Edgar Allan Poe's Masterpiece

What's Halloween without the 
mysterious beating of an old man's heart? 

Visit the museum here:  Poe Museum

First, check out the museum at the link above. There's a virtual tour of the museum which is located in Richmond, Virginia. This is great for students to view the panoramic tour of Edgar's old stomping grounds.

At this site, you'll also find a shadowy, suspenseful animation video clip of the Telltale Heart, only 7 1/2 minutes long, and probably best suited for middle / high school students, who will undoubtedly get a thrill --as they place themselves in the shoes of a madman, or lunatic. Note the full moon in the video. This is definitely one of my favorite all-time reads (or watch) during this month!  To find the video, go to the Poe Museum site, then go to the "Students" tab...and click on "Watch the Telltale Heart". (I tried to link it here, but it wouldn't load. It will if you go to it from the museum link first.) 

Lastly, don't let the "1954" date sway you from checking this out--it's still wicked good! The dramatic narrative in this is worth a thousand heart beats!

Greyfriar's Kirkyard, Edinburgh, Scotland

A Cemetery Steeped in History

   Photo by Brian W. Gomez 2013

Greyfriars Kirkyard, Edinburgh, Scotland

Overlooking Edinburgh Castle

Scotland has been a popular destination for pilgrimages of all ages due to the unfathomable popularity of J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter Books. Be it known, that there are alleged hauntings at this famous cemetery, such as those of the ghost of Mackenzie. It is one of the most well-documented sites for alleged paranormal activity in history. No wonder Ms. Rowling's books were so full of magic and mystery!

Wouldn't it be spook-tacular to visit this cemetery on Halloween?

For more fascinating information about this cemetery, click below:

Greyfriars Kirkyard, Famous Historical Site

See the real-life graveyard of evil Lord Voldemort 

Kids Love Bats!

Here is my latest creation with hopes that kids will really have fun with this. They need to have more ways to read and write expository and informational text without making it dry and boring. This is an interactive resource for kids...including some information about the myths about bats. Can bats really get tangled in our hair?  Are they really blind?  This is a great resource for some second graders, and most students up through fifth grade.

CONTRARY TO POPULAR BELIEF, BATS ARE NOT JUST FOR HALLOWEEN!!!  :D

BAT FACTS Envelope Booktivity Informational Reading & Writing Activities

FREE BAT POSTERS 

There are 5 posters in all. Each one is regular paper size (8 1/2 x 11 in.) 

Go to my teacher store and you will be able to download this file.

Photos of bats were compiled from public domain sources.

FREE BAT MINI POSTERS