Ten Spooky Halloween Song Activities

Halloween is almost here. Now that you've put up the decorations and prepared your costume for a "scary" night out, it's time to put on some spooky music to add to the atmosphere. Here are ten "classic" Halloween hit songs that never seem to get old. 

Whether you are having a party or just singing on  your own, these tunes should give you an extra scary shiver or two.  You can learn some new vocabulary, practice your listening and even learn a little grammar ( if you feel the need) 

Listen to all of the songs. Try the listening activities.Then discuss them with your friends or classmates

• Which one was the easiest to understand? Why? : 
• Which one did you like best? Why? 
• Which one did you like least? Why? 
• Which one had the best video and graphics? Why? 
• Which one told a real story? 
• Which one will still be played in 20 years? Why?  

#1  Welcome to My Nightmare  
Dressing up for Halloween, or going to haunted houses and trying to scare people is just like being in a nightmare.  This song makes nightmares fun. I hope you enjoy this one.

 # 2    This is Halloween
This is Halloween by Marilyn Manson is one of the few songs with the word Halloween in it.
It has become extremely popular at Halloween even though it was originally written for a movie about a Christmas Nightmare.  

#3 The Monster Mash
The Monster Mash is one of the oldest and best known songs people usually play at Halloween.  I even danced to it when I was a child. That's why we call it a "classic," or a "golden oldie"













# 4  Werewolves of London 

This song is always at the top of people's Halloween music list because  werewolves are scary creatures that people love to be afraid of. Can you howl like the singer can? Try it. It's fun. 



#5  Ghostbusters 

Everyone knows that  you need tol call ghostbusters if there's something "strange" in your neighbourhood. This was one of the most popular movies of the 1980s, and people still love watching it and singing along. . The song is very catchy and easy to sing. 




# 6  Season of the Witch 
This song is doesn't have any ghosts or zombies in it, but Halloween is all about witches and strange things, so it fits the topic.  Besides, Halloween occurs during the season of the witch.   
 
#7  Bad Moon Rising 
This song is more about bad things happening than about Halloween itself, but Halloween is a time when terrible things are supposed to happen, so the song is very popular at Halloween parties. Besides, it's fun to dance to. .





#8 Love Potion # 9 
This song is about magic and magic potions, so it fits under the category of things that happen at Halloween. It's  also  a  romantic song, and everyone needs to sing a few slow songs - even at a party. 

 

# 9  Don't Fear the Reaper 
 The "reaper" is a name that we often use for death, so this song fits perfectly into a Halloween theme because Halloween is all about death and spirits. 

   

#10 Thriller 
Thriller is he biggest selling album, song and video of all time. The complete video, which is 13 minutes long, changed the way music videos were made. Many people consider it their  
favourite Halloween song and can even dance the dance. How about you?  



Enjoy these songs and have fun with them.  Let me know which ones you liked best, or if you have any other favourite ones. 

Meanwhile,  have fun getting scared!

Five T.V. Halloween Listening Quizzes

The Big Bang Theory characters wearing "Flash" costumes.

Many regular television situation comedies  have a complete Halloween episode where the whole story revolves around some kind of Halloween theme. Sometimes they are funny. Sometimes they are meant to be spooky, but they are usually entertaining . 

Thanks to the existence of long running TV series you can watch, enjoy and and practice your English with listening quizzes from The Big Bang Theory , Modern Family , How I Met Your Mother,    Friends and Frasier . 

 All of these TV shows have something to offer in helping you to improve your listening skills - especially if you watch short clips several times to get used to "fast English" English speaker.   

Tune in tomorrow for more clips from another Friends episode, the Simpsons, Glee, Family Guy and Buffy. 

Watch as often as you need to. Then try the quizzes to see how well you understood.  


The Big Bang Theory 
The characters in the Big Bang Theory love Halloween because of the parties, the "tricks" they can play on each other, and simply because it is an excuse for "dressing up. One of the most popular television situation comedies in the U.S. The Big Bang Theory is a pleasure to watch because even if you don't understand everything, you understand enough to have a good laugh.  For more information on the what the show is about, and its characters go to The Big Bang Theory  
 

Modern Family 
In this Modern Family episode, the whole family plans to frighten children who come
 trick or treating with many creatures. Watch and see how much you understand. For more information on  the show and its characters go to Modern Family 

  Big Bang Theory
Back at The Big Bang Theory, the boys are planning to go to a costume party, but they have a dilemma. Watch and answer the questions.



How I Met Your Mother  
On the popular situation comedy How I Met Your Mother "How I Met Your Mother," the boys have a lot to say about Halloween. Watch and answer the questions.  For more information on the show and the characters go to  How I Met Your Mother  

Friends
One of the most famous Halloween episodes happened in the TV show " Friends", which millions of people still watch on DVD or cable channels. For more information on the show and characters go to  Friends  
Frasier 
Finally, here is a much longer clip from "Frasier," popular TV show in the 90s and early 2000s. This will really test your listening skills. But try it without subtitles anyway for your first listening. For more information on the show or the characters go to Frasier   

 

Gratitude Song Quizzes for Thanksgiving

"In ordinary life we hardly realize that we received a great deal more than we give and that it  is only with gratitude that life becomes rich. " 
Dietrich Bonhoeffe

One of the best ways to express our gratitude to the people, places and things in our lives  is in song. Here my three favourite songs expressing thankfulness. 

Grateful: A Song of Love to the World  

" Musicians Nimo Patel and Daniel Nahmod brought together dozens of people from around the world to create this beautiful, heart-opening melody. Inspired by the 21-Day Gratitude Challenge, the song is a celebration of our spirit and all that is a blessing in life. For the 21 Days, over 11,000 participants from 118 countries learned that “gratefulness” is a habit cultivated consciously and a muscle built over time. As a famous Roman, Cicero, once said, “Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all others.” This soul-stirring music video, created within a week by a team of volunteers, shines the light on all the small things that make up the beautiful fabric of our lives.”  See more at karmatube.org 

Thanks A Lot by Raffi

   

Thank You by Dido

   

20 Gratitude Questions for Thanksgiving

Nothing that is done for you is a matter of course.  Everything originates in a will for the good, which is directed at you. Train yourself never to put off the word or action for the expression of gratitude. --Albert Schweitzer

It can be challenging to create rich and meaningful family conversations about gratitude.  I know I’ve felt disappointed when my “What do you feel thankful for?” questions are met with quick, predictable responses that bring the conversation to a close soon after it’s begun. 

This Thanksgiving season, I’m taking a different approach by coming up with 20 gratitude questions to help enliven our sharing.

May these questions help to spark the spirit of Thanksgiving! 

1)     What teacher are you most thankful for and why?  What did you learn from him or her? 2)      What season are you most thankful for, and what is your favorite part of each season? 3)      What electronic device are you most grateful for, and what does it add to your life? 4)      What musician or type of music are you most thankful for? 5)      What are you most grateful for that brings beauty to your daily life? 6)      What form of exercise or physical activity are you most thankful for? 7)     What foods are you most thankful for? 8)     What local store or restaurant are you most grateful for?  How does it contribute to          your quality of life? 9)     What book are you most grateful for, and why? 10    What act of kindness has made the greatest difference in your life? 11)    What challenging experience has ended up changing your life for the better? 12)    What form of art are you most thankful for: music, acting, writing, painting, drawing .            something else? 13)    What place do you feel most grateful for and why? 14)    Name three days in your life that you feel especially grateful for. 15)    What color do you feel most thankful for—is there a color that you can’t imagine living  without? 16)    Is there a personal limitation or flaw that you’ve come to appreciate? 17)     What vacation are you most grateful for? 18)     What philanthropic cause or organization do you feel thankful for? 19)     What product do you use on a daily basis that you most appreciate? 20)     What, from this year, do you feel most grateful for?

Feel free to borrow these questions or come up with your own. 

Download the what are you thankful questions as question cards   and invite family members or friends to each choose one for everyone to answer.

This article has been published with permission. Karen Horneffer Ginter is co-founder of the Center for Psychotherapy and Wellness and the author of 'Full Cup, Thirsty Spirit: Nourishing the Soul When Life’s Just Too Much'.

Differences Between Canadian and American Thanksgiving

Most people are around the world think the Thanksgiving they've all seen in the movies or television  is the same for  for both Canadians and Americans.

They're wrong. Although there are some similarities between the two, Canada has its own unique Thanksgiving . Read on to learn about some of the key differences. 

Try the quiz at the bottom.  

IIf you want to know even more about the differences, here are several more  links to try:   

• Canadian Thanksgiving: Things we Wish Americans Knew
• Thanksgiving in America vs Thanksgiving in Canada 
• Four Big Differences Between Canadian and American Thanksgiving