| aidemia--modules-lessonstartideas_type | Give a creative idea how to begin a lesson |
| Which subject | English |
| What age group | Year or Grade 9 |
| What topic | Halloween |
| Quantity | 1 |
| Any other preferences | Introduction to the origin of halloween |
To kick off today’s lesson, let’s start with a riddle:
I am a night filled with fright, where shadows dance in the moonlight. Candy and costumes, all in sight… What am I?
(Pause for students to guess.)
That’s right! We’re talking about Halloween! Today, we will delve into the origins of this thrilling holiday to uncover how it transformed from ancient traditions to the festive occasion we know today.
Halloween has roots that trace back over 2,000 years to the ancient Celts, who celebrated Samhain (pronounced “sow-in”). This festival marked the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter, a time often associated with death and darkness. Celts believed that on the night of October 31st, the boundary between the living and the dead became blurred.
They believed that the ghosts of the dead returned to Earth, causing havoc and mischief. To ward off these spirits, people would light bonfires and wear costumes made of animal skins. They sought to appease wandering souls, hoping to prevent any misfortune in the coming year.
As time passed, Samhain evolved. With the spread of Christianity, Pope Gregory III designated November 1st as All Saints' Day, thus incorporating some of the traditions of Samhain. The evening before became known as All Hallows’ Eve, eventually morphing into Halloween.
In today’s lesson, we will explore how these ancient customs have led to the modern Halloween celebrations we’re familiar with, including trick-or-treating, spooky decorations, and fun costumes.
So, get ready to unravel the layers of this bewitching holiday—who knows, you might even discover a hidden fascination for the past that makes Halloween more than just candy and costumes!
Let’s dive deeper into the shadows and find out more about Halloween’s intriguing history!