Halloween Art Lesson Jack O Lantern Art Project Reading and Writing Prompts

In this Halloween Monster Pumpkin Art Lesson for Grades 1 to 4, students explore the tradition of carving jack-o'-lanterns and learn about the history of Halloween through art, reading and writing. Using oil pastels and watercolor or tempera paint, each student designs an imaginative monster pumpkin full of personality and color.

Students start with a warm-up creativity challenge, read about the origins of jack-o'-lanterns, and complete reflection, writing and reading comprehension activities that connect across subjects. It is for art teachers, classroom teachers and homeschool families, with detailed plans, step-by-step visuals and built-in assessments.

WHAT'S INCLUDED (NON-EDITABLE)

• 2-Page Lesson Plan with objectives, materials, teacher and student steps, and strategies for success
• Lesson Hook, a Mini Creativity Challenge warm-up drawing page
• KWL Chart
• About Halloween and Jack-o'-Lanterns Reading, a simplified nonfiction text on how turnip lanterns became pumpkin carving
• Reading Comprehension Story, "The Monster Jack-o'-Lantern", about a girl named Lila who creates a unique monster pumpkin
• Reading Comprehension Question Sheets with answer key
• Sight Word Tracking List and Word Bank of Tricky Words
• Opinion Writing Prompt: is carving a silly or spooky jack-o'-lantern more fun?
• Creative Writing Prompt about a pumpkin patch where something magical happens on Halloween night
• Compare and Contrast Chart with answer key: Pumpkin Carving vs. Trick-or-Treating
• Critical Thinking Discussion Prompts
• Step-by-Step Visual and Text Tutorial (14 steps), PDF and PPT versions
• Example Artwork
• How-to-Draw Pumpkin Page
• Art Reflection Activities: 3 Stars and a Wish, The Message, Top 3 Things I Like About My Art, Feelings About My Art, and Artwork Reflection Questions
• Artist Statement Template
• Design Extension Page: Design a Haunted House for a Monster to Live In, for early finishers
• Symmetry Practice Worksheet
• Shapes and Forms Page
• Explore Line Worksheet
• Rubric for creativity, craftsmanship, responsibility and skill
• Display Sign for a bulletin board or hallway
• National Core Arts and Common Core Standards (VA:Cr, VA:Re and CCSS literacy)

This resource uses American English.

HOW TO USE IT

Print or project the pages, gather your materials and teach. The full lesson works for Halloween art, cross-curricular literacy and art, substitute or emergency art plans, homeschool Halloween activities, and fall bulletin board displays.

Standards listed: CCSS RL.1.1, RL.2.1, RL.2.3, W.K.1, W.K.2, W.K.3, W.1.1, W.1.2, W.1.3, W.4.1; VA:Cr1.1.3a, VA:Cr1.2.3a, VA:Cr2.1.3a, VA:Cr2.1.4a, VA:Cr2.2.4a, VA:Cr1.1.5a, VA:Cr1.2.5a, VA:Cr2.1.5a, VA:Cr2.2.5a, VA:Cr1.2.6a, VA:Cr2.1.6a, VA:Cr1.1.7a, VA:Cr2.1.7a, VA:Cr1.2.2a and VA:Cr2.1.2a.

FAQ

Who is this for?

Classroom teachers, art educators and homeschool families teaching Grades 1 to 4. It is beginner-friendly, with visual guides for every step.

How long does it take?

Depending on age and class time, the full lesson with the reading and writing extensions takes 2 to 3 class sessions.

What materials do I need?

Oil pastels, watercolor or tempera paint cakes, brushes and orange construction paper. A materials list is also in the lesson plan.

Can I teach it without art experience?

Yes. Every step is shown visually, so any teacher or homeschool parent can lead it.

Get free, classroom-ready art lessons and printables in my Free Art Lesson Library.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kathleen McGiveron (Ms Artastic) is an artist who has been featured on NBC LX News and OCO (One Classroom Over) Magazine, and designs art lessons for kids and educational resources for teachers. She is the founder of Ms Artastic and hosts the Ms Artastic YouTube Channel and Podcast.

TERMS OF USE

Images and lessons are copyright products.

YOU MAY: use this in your classroom, homeschool or as part of a student portfolio, display student work publicly or privately, and use clip art (if applicable) for personal creations, binder covers and decor.

YOU MAY NOT: share the file with other educators or post it online, use this on OutSchool or your blog, or resell it, photocopy it for others or use it without appropriate licensing.

Sincerely,

Ms Artastic