TeachersFirst - Featured Sites: Week of Oct 19, 2025
Here are this week's features. Clicking the tags in the description area of each listing will present a list of other resources with this topic. | Click here to return to the Featured Sites Archive
Day of the Dead/Dia de los Muerto - PBS
Grades
K to 5
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PBS's Day of the Dead/Dia de los Muertos features a short video about the Day of the Dead. One video is in English and the other in Spanish. As you ...more
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PBS's Day of the Dead/Dia de los Muertos features a short video about the Day of the Dead. One video is in English and the other in Spanish. As you scroll down on the right side, there are resources for supporting both teachers and students. Teacher Resources include a background essay, activity and connection. In the Student Resources, there are discussion questions.
tag(s): fall festival (14), halloween (46), holidays (228), mexico (52)
In the Classroom
Students can use Lino, reviewed here to create a virtual bulletin board of information that they learned. Students can use Google Drawing, reviewed here to compare and contrast Day of the Dead to another holiday. Students can create books using Book Creator, reviewed here about facts and traditions about the holiday.You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
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Bring Dia de los Muertos Activities to Your Classroom - Newsela
Grades
3 to 8
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Newsela's Bring Dia de los Muertos Activities to Your Classroom includes activity ideas and links to resources in social studies, ELA, and science. Some of the topics include...more
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Newsela's Bring Dia de los Muertos Activities to Your Classroom includes activity ideas and links to resources in social studies, ELA, and science. Some of the topics include exploring the history of Dia de los Muertos, discovering how this day has become popular in the USA, the science behind the traditions, and a list of holidays for use with students for comparing and contrasting. A few of the links will direct you to Newsela stories or articles, all of which are included with a free Newsela account. Be sure not to miss the bottom of the page that includes several similar articles.
tag(s): fall festival (14), halloween (46), holidays (228), mexico (52)
In the Classroom
Students can use 2 and 3 Circle Interactive Venn Diagrams by Class Tools, reviewed here to compare and contrast Dia de los Muertos with one of the holidays featured on the site. Students can create a timeline for the history of the holiday using Timeline JS, reviewed here. Finally, students can use FlexClip, reviewed here to create videos explaining traditions and/or customs of people who celebrate Dia de los Muertos.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Dia De Los Muertos Printables - IXL Learning
Grades
K to 12
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Choose from over 150 free downloadable activities for Dia de los Muertos suitable for all ages and subjects. Use the filters to narrow down your selections by grade level, subject,...more
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Choose from over 150 free downloadable activities for Dia de los Muertos suitable for all ages and subjects. Use the filters to narrow down your selections by grade level, subject, support content (such as ELL and special education), and format. Activities include writing templates, printable books, note-taking organizers, and much more. Access all materials by creating and logging into a free account.
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tag(s): fall festival (14), halloween (46), holidays (228), mexico (52), worksheets (72)
In the Classroom
Bookmark and save this site to access a wealth of resources for teaching about Dia de los Muertos. Extend learning by asking students to compare and contrast holiday traditions between Halloween and Dia de los Muertos by creating Venn Diagrams using the Venn Diagram Creator by Canva, reviewed here. Many of the free materials are available in Spanish; use these items to teach basic Spanish words and phrases. Use Blooket, reviewed here to create games that reinforce understanding of this Mexican holiday. Search the Booklet library to find many pre-made games about the Day of the Dead that are ready to use for different grade levels.
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Day of the Dead Resources - National Museum of the American Latino
Grades
3 to 12
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This site offers an extensive collection of learning materials and virtual exhibitions that teach and tell the story of Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). Visit the link ...more
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This site offers an extensive collection of learning materials and virtual exhibitions that teach and tell the story of Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). Visit the link to the Learning Kit to access Smithsonian collections, videos, music, and hands-on activities. The virtual exhibitions tell the stories of honoring ancestors, the meaning of the altar as part of Dia de los Muertos celebrations, and the tale of La Catrina: Lady of the Dead. Other offerings on the site include options to register for free virtual events that share information about Mexican music.
tag(s): fall festival (14), halloween (46), holidays (228), mexico (52)
In the Classroom
Enhance student learning by creating trading cards using Big Huge Labs, reviewed here. Have students create cards for different components of Dia de los Muertos, such as the ofrenda, sugar skulls, and the meaning of using marigolds to guide the deceased back to the world of the living. Extend learning by asking students to write a script that tells about this Mexican holiday, then record a podcast using Adobe Podcast, reviewed here to share with their family and friends.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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FREE Day of the Dead/Dia de los Muertos Activity Pack for All Ages - Twinkl
Grades
K to 8
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This download from Twinkl shares a collection of free resources for celebrating Day of the Dead with activities suitable for students up to eighth grade. Younger students can complete...more
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This download from Twinkl shares a collection of free resources for celebrating Day of the Dead with activities suitable for students up to eighth grade. Younger students can complete crafts, color sugar skulls, and access the art pack that includes an observation activity comparing Halloween to the Day of the Dead. Resources for older students include PowerPoint and Google Slides presentations, a one-page project, and an Ofrenda Worksheet. Sign up for a free account to access and download all of the activities.
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tag(s): fall festival (14), halloween (46), holidays (228), mexico (52), preK (288), worksheets (72)
In the Classroom
Add this packet to your current resources for teaching about Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos). Be sure to visit other links on Twinkl to find a Day of the Dead emergent reader ebook, along with other teaching resources. Extend learning by asking students to create their own stories about Day of the Dead using Storyboard That, reviewed here.
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Halloween Escape - Genially
Grades
3 to 12
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Use this template from Genially, reviewed here to create an engaging Halloween escape room activity for students of any age. Try the escape room out...more
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Use this template from Genially, reviewed here to create an engaging Halloween escape room activity for students of any age. Try the escape room out by playing with activities found in the preview to collect five pieces of candy, then click "Use this template" to create a copy on your account and personalize the content. This template includes animations and audio features that add a spooky feel to the escape room. When ready to share, choose from options to share as a presentation on your whiteboard or provide students with a link to play from their devices.
tag(s): digital escapes (25), fall (12), halloween (46), holidays (228), mysteries (26)
In the Classroom
Customize and share this escape room activity with your students as you recognize and celebrate Halloween. Use it as a station during fall or Halloween parties. Change the questions to match your students' age level and content, and your curriculum. For example, include Halloween math word problems or vocabulary with spooky definitions. Find additional tools to include in your escape room by visiting TeachersFirst Special Topics Page: Escape Room Resources, reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Halloween Hangout - National Geographic Kids
Grades
2 to 6
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Halloween Hangout is an excellent starting point for finding Halloween and fall activities and information. Browse through to find costume ideas, games and learn about ghostly animals....more
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Halloween Hangout is an excellent starting point for finding Halloween and fall activities and information. Browse through to find costume ideas, games and learn about ghostly animals. Another valuable portion of this site shares tips for a plastic-free Halloween.
In the Classroom
Share a link to fun and games activities on classroom computers for use during computer center time. For example, challenge students to test their Halloween knowledge by taking the Halloween Quiz. View the Wierd But True! Halloween infographic that shares data on the percentage of parents that steal kids' Halloween candy, then take a poll in your classroom as a comparison. Create and share your classroom data using Data GIF Maker, reviewed here. This resource allows you to make three different types of graphs easily. Use this tool to create graphs of your students' favorite candy, favorite Halloween books, or length of time spent trick or treating. Use an infographic creator such as the one found at Canva, reviewed here, to share data about your class's Halloween experiences.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Candy Pumpkin Catapults - Playdough to Plato
Grades
K to 5
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Students will love learning about simple machines by building catapults to launch candy pumpkins. Then, using just a few supplies, challenge students to see whose pumpkins fly the farthest....more
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Students will love learning about simple machines by building catapults to launch candy pumpkins. Then, using just a few supplies, challenge students to see whose pumpkins fly the farthest. Along the way, students also explore other scientific questions that examine the impact of size and weight and consider the effect by using different types of supplies. This article includes complete directions along with images for incorporating the pumpkin catapult into early childhood classrooms. Of course, be sure to use caution and discuss safety rules when hurtling items at any time. If possible, take this activity outdoors to allow more space for launching the catapults.
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tag(s): makerspace (39), preK (288), Problem Based Learning (11), simple machines (20), STEM (331)
In the Classroom
Although this lesson describes activities for pre-k classrooms, the challenge is suitable for adaptation to any elementary class. Try the challenge with other small items at any time. For example, during the winter holidays, use snowman erasers or during spring, try catapulting different sizes of pompoms to see how far they fly. Adapt this activity for older students by providing the supplies at a learning center or makerspace area without directions. Allow students to explore options on their own to build and create a catapult. Use a digital organizational tool such as IdeaBoardz, reviewed here, to record and share students' observations. Extend student learning by creating ebooks using Book Creator, reviewed here, that include images of students' creations, text of their observations, and audio explanations of the STEM learning. For younger students, create a class book together. Older students can create individual books to share as part of your class's digital library.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Halloween STEM Challenge - Bone Bridge - Feel-Good Teaching
Grades
3 to 8
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This STEM challenge is not just for Halloween; include it with your makerspace activities and problem-solving lessons at any time during the school year. Provide students with supplies...more
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This STEM challenge is not just for Halloween; include it with your makerspace activities and problem-solving lessons at any time during the school year. Provide students with supplies including q-tips, pipe cleaners, craft sticks, pennies, and rulers to begin this challenge. The goal is to use the provided materials to build bridges that test strength, capacity, and length. Suggested content connections include the skeletal system and bridges.
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tag(s): body systems (40), bridges (11), engineering (140), forces (45), halloween (46), holidays (228), makerspace (39), Problem Based Learning (11), STEM (331), structures (17)
In the Classroom
Incorporate this engaging activity into a Halloween learning center, or for those that don't celebrate Halloween at school, include this activity within many content areas. This activity is easily adaptable to lessons about the skeletal system, force and motion, bridges, and even geometric properties. As students begin exploring different methods to create bridges, use FigJam, reviewed here as an information-gathering resource. Create a Jamboard with two columns, one column for ideas that work and another for failed attempts. Use a student blogging tool such as edublogs, reviewed here, and ask students to blog about their bridge-building attempts. Include pictures of student's creations as part of their blog. Extend learning by asking students to describe their problem-solving activities and share their thoughts on important features required to build strong bridges by creating a multimedia presentation using Adobe Creative Cloud Express for Education, reviewed here. Adobe Express includes tools for creating websites, videos, images, and more. Another multimedia presentation tool to consider is Genially, reviewed here. Genially includes easy-to-use features that can create interactive images, video presentations, and interactive content. Use Genially's features to create interactive images that include students' explanations of their bridge's features.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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The Halloween Collection - PBS Learning Media
Grades
K to 12
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Explore the concept of fear through this Halloween Collection based on PBS T.V. shows. The collection includes videos and lessons for students in PreK through high school. Each item...more
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Explore the concept of fear through this Halloween Collection based on PBS T.V. shows. The collection includes videos and lessons for students in PreK through high school. Each item included on this site provides links to standards, and many include lesson support materials. Use links to share directly to Google Classroom or social media accounts.
tag(s): emotions (52), halloween (46), macbeth (9), preK (288), salem (5), shakespeare (96), sound (72), spiders (10)
In the Classroom
Instead of viewing videos on this site as a class, enhance student understanding by using edPuzzle, reviewed here to create a complete lesson within the video. Students could then view videos in class as partners, or at a learning center on their own. In blended learning classes, students could watch the videos on their own at home if you post them on your website. edPuzzle offers features for inserting questions into videos and provides quick feedback on student understanding. To wrap up your unit, substitue a paper and pen project by having younger students work together to create a class book using WriteReader, reviewed here to share different types of scary situations and suggestions on how to address them. For older students, have them redefine their learning by using a multimedia tool like Book Creator, reviewed here to analyze supernatural or historic events like the Salem Witch Trial included in this site.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Halloween Sheet Music - Virtual Sheet Music, Inc.
Grades
K to 12
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Download high-quality sheet music and more with a Halloween theme from Virtual Sheet Music. Choose from the available songs and select the PDF digital sheet music to print. Listen to...more
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Download high-quality sheet music and more with a Halloween theme from Virtual Sheet Music. Choose from the available songs and select the PDF digital sheet music to print. Listen to and watch the selection through the online interactive or download and listen to mp3 or midi file versions of each song.
tag(s): halloween (46), holidays (228), musical notation (34)
In the Classroom
Use this site to share interactive recordings during music class and as visual learning tools. After sharing this site with students, have them share a recording of their performance using an audio recording tool like Vocaroo, reviewed here. This site isn't just for music teachers! In the classroom download and play these Halloween songs during your class fall or Halloween party. Ask students to research Halloween and its development as a holiday, then present their findings in a podcast using a site such as Castbox Creator Studio, reviewed here. Take student research a step further and connect with a classroom in another country to compare and contrast Halloween traditions. Ask students to share this information using an interactive map tool like Zeemaps, reviewed here. Zeemaps allows students to create audio recordings AND choose various locations on a map where the report takes place. Need suggestions for finding a classroom in another country? Try ePals, reviewed here, or Global Virtual Classroom, reviewed here.
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Lesson This! - Lesson This!
Grades
K to 6
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Find full length lesson plans for many subjects at Lesson This! For example, there is Pumpkin Addition and Subtraction (perfect for a fall math lesson). Scroll through the latest posts...more
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Find full length lesson plans for many subjects at Lesson This! For example, there is Pumpkin Addition and Subtraction (perfect for a fall math lesson). Scroll through the latest posts or browse by learning objectives, tags, materials, or grade level using the boxes on the right side of the home page. Each lesson states objectives, lists materials required (with links to print-ables if needed), and includes complete directions. Many also include pictures of the activity.
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tag(s): christmas (37), colors (64), counting (59), crafts (90), descriptive writing (41), drawing (59), halloween (46), holidays (228), nutrition (138), parts of speech (38), patterns (64), preK (288), recycling (43), symmetry (28), valentines day (11)
In the Classroom
Bookmark this site (or save in your favorites) to use as a resource for many lesson ideas throughout the year. Many lessons can be modified by changing materials or content of the lesson to fit your particular needs. Use the many seasonal "fun" ideas around Halloween, December holidays, and more.
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Pumpkin Carving - ABCya
Grades
K to 3
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This resource may not be one of the six resources available at this time. When it is featured you can invite students to carve a spooky Halloween Pumpkin without worrying ...more
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This resource may not be one of the six resources available at this time. When it is featured you can invite students to carve a spooky Halloween Pumpkin without worrying about sharp knives, candles or pumpkin seeds. ABCya's simple, interactive site lets students create virtual carved pumpkins and then save them to the computer as a JPG. Carve out the pumpkin to your desire, click done, and see the pumpkin illuminate.
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In the Classroom
While students are engaged with creating fun Jack-O'-Lantern drawing, they will also learn how to draw shapes with the mouse. Save this site to use yearly with your students. Students will love creating Jack O' Lanterns as an engaging Halloween center. Use the saved JPG file as an illustration for a Halloween poem or story.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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History of Halloween - History Channel
Grades
5 to 8
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Turn Halloween into a history lesson with this History Channel site that traces its origin from an ancient Celtic festival to the modern-day practices of trick-or-treating and Jack-o'-lantern...more
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Turn Halloween into a history lesson with this History Channel site that traces its origin from an ancient Celtic festival to the modern-day practices of trick-or-treating and Jack-o'-lantern carving. Includes some hauntingly intriguing video clips (some with specific ties to American history), ghost stories, and recipes.
In the Classroom
This is a great site to show students how history can impact their everyday! One good project would be to use this site as an introduction to Halloween activities. Introduce the site on the interactive whiteboard or projector. There are several different "histories" on the site, such as the history of the jack o' lantern, or the origins of Halloween, or the origins of several ghost stories. Have students look at the site in pairs, and create a poster of what they thought were the most interesting facts. We recommend a site such as Padlet, reviewed here. Have students display their posters, and then use the free craft ideas offered to celebrate the holiday in your class!Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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