SUBSCRIBE FOR ONLY $16.99!

It’s Alive! Teaching with Horror Stories in the Classroom

Advertisement

By Janel Sullivan

A challenge I face as an English teacher is not just providing my students with the skills they need to be active readers, but also finding ways to get them excited about reading.

Throughout my years of teaching, I’ve discovered that students are often more eager to read and discuss horror stories than other material. The genre naturally provokes excitement and a sense of morbid curiosity; even students who hate horror are still curious about what happens at the end. And, as an added bonus, scary stories can also teach critical life lessons and help kids learn to confront their fears.

When I was little, I was afraid of everything. I feared someone breaking into my house, the house burning down, snakes, monsters, the neighbor’s dog, and most importantly, the dark. I remember standing at the bottom of the stairs when the light went out in the hallway, too terrified to go up into the darkness. 

“If you’re too scared, I guess that means you’ve been watching too much Scooby-Doo,” my dad would remark, and the implication that I’d be cut off from my beloved TV show was enough to send me sprinting up to my bedroom.

In present day, I was recently reminiscing with another teacher about Saturday morning cartoons, and of course ScoobyDoo came up. “I bet Velma was your favourite,” he said. “You’re kind of like her.”

I did always aspire to be Velma, but she was not my favourite. It was Shaggy. Why? Because Shaggy, along with his faithful pal Scooby-Doo, was scared. Despite this, he would always follow through, help his friends, and solve the mystery anyways. Shaggy had been my childhood role model in learning to overcome fear, and although my real love of horror didn’t start until I was in college, I like to think he helped kick-start my interest in the genre.

Teaching in China

In 2013 I took a leap and moved to Shanghai to teach English at a bilingual school. A few months in, I remember telling a friend back home, “It’s like I’m playing a card game without a full deck.” 

I prided myself on my pop culture references. I was young and had never had any problems connecting with my students back home. But in Shanghai, none of my students even knew Scooby-Doo. They did love Marvel movies, but I didn’t know any of the heroes’ names in Mandarin. On top of that, I quickly realized the students were so afraid of being wrong that they would hesitate to answer questions. Needless to say, it was difficult to connect with them. Something had to change.

Subscribe to Keep Reading

🔑 You’re one step away from unlocking premium content.
Subscribe now for just $16.99/year and get full access!
If you’re already subscribed, please .
Avatar photo

Janel Sullivan is a caffeine-addict American living and teaching in Singapore. She has a morbid curiosity for things that go bump in the night and likes writing with really nice pens.

Education News

Newly Launched History AI Chat Helps Students to Search World History Encyclopedia

With over 420 million peer-reviewed historical documents and resources, World History Encyclopedia’s AI Chat now makes it easier for students to sift through those resources to find answers to their questions.

The Key to Enforcing Cell Phone Bans in Schools—with Help from CellGuard

If schools are serious about limiting phones, how can they enforce these policies in a way that is both practical and effective?

Trent University and Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine Launch First-of-its-Kind Double Degree

Students will graduate with both a Bachelor of Arts and Science and a Doctor of Naturopathy degree in this accelerated seven-year pathway.

Communities Nationwide to Defend the Freedom to Read at “Right to Read Night” During Banned Books Week

At a time when the very freedom to read is at risk, communities across the nation are joining together for Right to Read Night, a powerful evening of discussion, reflection, and action.

Join Our Newsletter

Join now for a chance to win 1 of 2 $25 Indigo e-gift cards this month!

Janel Sullivan
Janel Sullivan
Janel Sullivan is a caffeine-addict American living and teaching in Singapore. She has a morbid curiosity for things that go bump in the night and likes writing with really nice pens.

Advertisement

Read More

Newly Launched History AI Chat Helps Students to Search World History Encyclopedia

With over 420 million peer-reviewed historical documents and resources, World History Encyclopedia’s AI Chat now makes it easier for students to sift through those resources to find answers to their questions.

The Key to Enforcing Cell Phone Bans in Schools—with Help from CellGuard

If schools are serious about limiting phones, how can they enforce these policies in a way that is both practical and effective?

Celebrating Heritage: A Student-Led Journey Across Cultures

In today’s diverse classrooms, fostering cultural awareness is essential in order to create inclusive and engaging learning environments

Planting Seeds of Knowledge: Life Lessons from an Educational Farm

Waynesboro Education Farm is an ambitious project. It sits on 1.5 acres of land adjacent to Berkeley Glenn Elementary school in the city of Waynesboro, VA.

Trent University and Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine Launch First-of-its-Kind Double Degree

Students will graduate with both a Bachelor of Arts and Science and a Doctor of Naturopathy degree in this accelerated seven-year pathway.

Communities Nationwide to Defend the Freedom to Read at “Right to Read Night” During Banned Books Week

At a time when the very freedom to read is at risk, communities across the nation are joining together for Right to Read Night, a powerful evening of discussion, reflection, and action.
strendus deportes | sorteos en línea para ganar dinero | paris las vegas resort & casino las vegas | cancun casino | casinò online sicuro | booyah como ganar dinero | como descontrolar una máquina de casino | naipes de poker | casino el consuelo | casino jalapeño | como ganar dinero rapido stardew valley | juegos gratis nft para ganar dinero | yak gran sur | sports betting casino online | casino real salon | casino 777 bono sin deposito | mazatlan casino | casino en linea caliente | casino los arcos | big bola casinos león | como apostar en ruleta | ruleta english | commerce casino | hollywood park casino | 50 giros gratis sin depósito | superama cerca de mi | jugar casino online | caliente com mx deportes | lucky slots | blackjack casino | casino red monterrey | cool cat casino | niños como hacer una ruleta de carton | esta caliente | caliente apuestas | 7 casino | ruleta rusa 2018 | rollover | play city | ivy casino | doubledown casino promo codes | las vegas en vivo casino | strendus casino online | wipo |