Write a list of Halloween-themed words on the board; including witch, ghost, black cat, pumpkin and skeleton. Tell the children to pick three of the words from the list and write them down. Their assignment is to create a poem that includes those three words. Give them an example: "The witch stirred the vile brew, while the black cat watched from the shadows, and the skeleton hung quietly staring."
Create a creative writing bag that gives children ideas to write about. Inside the bag, put objects that connect with the month of October. These could be autumn leaves and nuts, or they could be Halloween figurines such as witches and black cats. Put at least 10 objects in the bag. Have your students select three to five objects from the bag without looking. The assignment is to write a story that connects the objects they have selected.
Create blank storybooks out of colored construction paper. Use Halloween or fall colors to celebrate the month: black, brown, red, yellow and white. For full-page books, use only a few pages so it's not intimidating. If cutting the paper in half and making half-page books, add a few more pages. It's important to vary the sizes and shapes of the books to keep it interesting and to make the children feel that they have a choice. The assignment is to create a cover and write a story using pictures and words that relate to October. They can cut out pictures from magazines or draw and cut out their own, pasting them into the book and writing a story to accompany them.
Make a list of spelling words that relate to October. These could be about Halloween, fall or activities children do in the fall. Put them on the board. Have the students make a list of all the words in the correct order of the alphabet; such as Halloween before witch. Next, have the students practice writing the words in cursive. Afterward, have them create and write a sentence for each word. Finally, have the students write the words on 4-by-6 index cards and practice quizzing one another with a partner.