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Grades 4–8
6 Sessions, 45 Minutes Each
Narrative
Resource type iconProjects

Who Ya Gonna Call: Writing Spooky Stories

1. What Makes a Ghost Story?
2. Examples of Ghost Stories
3. How to Become a Details Detective
4. Suspense and Plot Puzzles
5. Work Day
6. Finishing Touches
Calling all ghostbusters! In this project, students will write their own ghost stories, focusing on tone, classic horror tropes, and plot twists.
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SESSION 1 OF 6
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What Makes a Ghost Story?

In Session 1, students briefly brainstorm, in a group, about the common elements of a ghost story (characters, plot, setting, tone/descriptive words). They will also finish writing the ending of an existing spooky story.
What Your Students Will Learn

Your students will learn the basic elements of a spooky story.

Common core standards
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.4.3.D
Use concrete words and phrases and sensory details to convey experiences and events precisely.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.4.5
With guidance and support from peers and adults, develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, and editing. (Editing for conventions should demonstrate command of Language standards 1-3 up to and including grade 4 here.)
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.5.3.D
Use concrete words and phrases and sensory details to convey experiences and events precisely.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.5.5
With guidance and support from peers and adults, develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.6.3.D
Use precise words and phrases, relevant descriptive details, and sensory language to convey experiences and events.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.6.5
With some guidance and support from peers and adults, develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.7.3.D
Use precise words and phrases, relevant descriptive details, and sensory language to capture the action and convey experiences and events.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.7.5
With some guidance and support from peers and adults, develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach, focusing on how well purpose and audience have been addressed.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.8.3.D
Use precise words and phrases, relevant descriptive details, and sensory language to capture the action and convey experiences and events.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.8.5
With some guidance and support from peers and adults, develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach, focusing on how well purpose and audience have been addressed.
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What Your Students Will Produce

Your students will produce their own ending to an R.L. Stine story.

What You Will Need

Before You Start

Draw a web on the board with “Ghost Stories” written in the center and branches for setting, plot, descriptive words, and characters (similar to “Scary Stories Characteristics Web”). Extra points if you draw it in a spooky way!

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