BEFORE READING

Make pumpkin cutouts and place the following words onto the cutouts;

afraid, cottage, sliver,

Talk about the words. Write them in sentences.

Ask the class if they like walking in the dark? Is it safe to walk alone? Would you be afraid if you were walking alone in the woods at night?

When you look at the cover of the book does it remind you of another tale? (Little Red Ridding Hood) Why does it remind you of that tale? (the girl has a basket, she is wearing read, she is walking alone in the woods) We know that this is not the same story, how do we know that from looking at the cover? (A different title, a huge pumpkin is behind her, the lady is older.)

DURING READING

During the start of the story the little old lady runs into a pair of shoes. What is unusual about these shoes? Would you be scared if a pair of shoes was following you?

After the pumpkin says, "Boo, Boo!" in the story ask the students to tell you what they tink will happen on the next page?

On the thirs to last page the little old lady whispers something to all the objects. What do you think her idea was? What would be your idea?

On the next page, the lady looks out the window. Before turning the page ask the students to make predictions on what she might see.

Activities

When the pumpkin's head shouted, "Boo, Boo!" the little old lady ran off. Have children brainstorm other situations that are made more frightening with sounds. Then play the following Halloween soundtrack and have children guess harmless ways the sounds could of been made.

Scary Sounds Of Halloween (click to purchase)

Sometimes someone may say they are not afraid. Still, their fear can be shown in other ways. Reexamine the pictures of the old lady. Have youngsters point out how her body language changes throughout the story. Have student take turns acting out scary expressions and expressions that show they are not scared.

Have the students recreate the scarecrow at the end of the story by making their own scarecrow.

Make two pumpkins of the same size on orange construction paper. Give each student the a piece of construction paper with the two pumpkins on it. Have them write a sentence on the first pumpkin that starts out, "I'm not afraid of..." One the next pumpkin have them write, "But, I think I would run if..."