Teaching poetry in October doesn’t have to feel intimidating—for teachers or for kids. In fact, I really do believe that October is the perfect time to sneak in some poetry practice that won’t lead to groans and eye rolls. So this year, why not give it a try by leaning into the season and getting your kiddos excited about writing Halloween poems.

I’ve tried so so many different approaches to teaching poetry, and I’ll be honest—many have flopped. But the ones that stuck are the ones that made poetry feel fun, approachable, and connected to my kids’ lives. Here are five strategies that have worked for me (and my students) year after year.

1. Start With Halloween-Themed Mentor Texts

Kids love reading poems about pumpkins, bats, and ghosts. They don’t even realize they’re learning about rhyme, rhythm, and imagery when the topic is candy corn or spooky sounds. I’ve found that seasonal mentor texts are the easiest entry point because they hook attention right away.

2. Make the Elements of Poetry Visual

Over time, I learned that students need poetry terms broken down simply—and displayed where they can see them. Things like alliteration, repetition, or stanza structure click faster when they’re paired with examples from Halloween poems. A quick mini-lesson plus a visual reminder helps students apply the elements immediately in their own writing.

3. Try Different Types of Poems

Not every student loves rhyme. That’s okay. Giving students options—like shape poems, list poems, or free verse—allows everyone to find a style they enjoy. One year, I let my class choose between writing a monster poem, a shape poem, or a Halloween haiku, and the variety of final pieces was amazing. Choice is powerful!

4. Connect Reading and Writing

I used to separate poetry reading and writing, but I’ve learned they work best together. When students analyze a spooky poem for imagery or mood, then turn around and write their own version, their understanding deepens. It feels less like “studying poetry” and more like creating something inspired.

5. Give Students Permission to Play

Some of the best Halloween poems my students have written were also the silliest. Be sure to let your kids experiment with wordplay, exaggeration, or spooky humor. I’ve seen reluctant writers light up when they realized a “haunted refrigerator” poem was just as valid as a serious one about autumn leaves.

Over the years, I’ve built up a toolkit of Halloween poems, posters, and writing prompts that make poetry instruction in October feel easy. If you’d like a ready-to-use set of poems, comprehension pages, and creative writing activities, my Halloween Poetry Reading Comprehension Fun Pack pulls everything together for you. It’s a great way to keep the focus on skill-building while letting your students enjoy the spookiest month of the year. Poetry doesn’t have to be scary—unless you want it to be!

Save This Post For Later

Be sure to save this post to one of your favorite Pinterest boards for Halloween teaching ideas. It’s a great way to build your teacher tool kit for October and it will make these ideas easy to find when you are looking for something fun and fresh! Our family wishes you a wonderful October filled with many joy-filled moments.