Are you looking for some spine-chilling short stories to engage your middle school students during the high-energy Halloween season? Look no further! I’ve curated a small-but-mighty collection of the best spooky short stories that will leave your students wanting more of them. These stories are perfect for Middle School English / ELA class and will create a thrilling atmosphere in your classroom. So, turn down the lights, put on some spooky background music, and let’s dive into these hair-raising tales!
1. 2-Page Excerpt from Dracula by Bram Stoker
You can use this two-page excerpt all throughout the week to teach —
- Close reading & annotating
- Point of View
- Figurative Language
- Imagery
- Punctuation skills
- Character Analysis
- Inferencing
- Vocabulary in Context
I won’t go into any more detail on that right now because you can just get the whole lesson and resources that go with it by clicking here.
2. “The Veldt” by Ray Bradbury
In Ray Bradbury’s “The Veldt,” a family lives in a futuristic home with a virtual reality nursery. The children’s interaction with the nursery takes a sinister turn, leading to a suspenseful and chilling climax. This thought-provoking story will captivate your students and spark discussions about the potential dangers of technology.
3. “The Monkey’s Paw” by W. W. Jacobs
“The Monkey’s Paw” is a classic short story that is sure to send shivers down your students’ spines. It tells the tale of a mysterious monkey paw that grants its owner three wishes, but each wish comes with dire consequences. This suspenseful story will keep your students on the edge of their seats and leave them pondering the consequences of their own desires.
4. “The Landlady” by Roald Dahl
Roald Dahl’s “The Landlady” is a haunting story about a young man who stays at a seemingly quaint bed and breakfast. However, as the story unfolds, he discovers that the landlady is hiding a dark secret. This eerie tale will keep your students guessing until the shocking conclusion.
5. “The Wife’s Story” by Ursula K. Le Guin
“The Wife’s Story” by Ursula K. Le Guin puts a twist on the classic werewolf tale. It follows the suspenseful journey of a woman as she unravels the truth behind her husband’s strange behavior. This story is perfect for teaching elements of suspense and will have your students eagerly turning the pages to uncover the chilling secret.
6. “Coraline” by Neil Gaiman
Although “Coraline” is a novella rather than a short story, it is a must-read for middle school students who enjoy a good scare. In this dark and whimsical tale, a young girl discovers an alternate home that seems perfect, but she soon realizes that there is something sinister lurking behind the facade. Neil Gaiman’s masterful storytelling will transport your students into a world of eerie wonder.
7. “The Tell-Tale Heart” by Edgar Allan Poe
No list of spooky short stories would be complete without mentioning Edgar Allan Poe. “The Tell-Tale Heart” is a quintessential Poe story that delves deep into the mind of a person who has committed a heinous deed. This psychological thriller will leave your students questioning the boundaries of sanity and morality.
These spooky short stories are perfect for engaging your middle school students and fostering a love for reading. Not only will they entertain and thrill your students, but they will also spark discussions about important themes and literary elements.
Ideas for Teaching Scary Short Stories in Middle School ELA
Here are some ideas to make the most of these spooky short stories in your middle school English Language Arts class:
- Alternate Endings: Encourage your students to write alternate endings for the stories. This creative writing exercise will allow them to explore different possibilities and showcase their imagination.
- Group Discussions: Initiate group discussions about the stories, encouraging students to share their interpretations and opinions. This will help develop their critical thinking and communication skills.
- Visual Projects: Assign students to create movie posters or book covers for the spooky short stories. This will tap into their artistic abilities and allow them to express their understanding of the stories in a visual format.
- Comparative Analysis: Have students compare and contrast different spooky short stories, exploring common themes, writing styles, and character development. This will deepen their understanding of the genre and enhance their analytical skills.
Have fun creating a spooky mood (real-life ‘mood’ lesson there, right?) in your classroom by dimming the lights and playing eerie background music while reading and discussing these stories. If that’s too distracting, then omit the music during the actual reading and save it for the beginning or end of class, or even during sustained work time post-reading.
Keep your students engaged and focused even when the candy corn challenge and TikTok pranks are all they want to talk about!
