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The controversy of Halloween, makes a nice comparison contrast writing activity, where students list the positive aspects of Halloween that they like, as well as the negative ones that they don't care for.  As a topper for their completed October writing prompt, students make a Jack-O-Lantern using the positive negative art form.

1-2-3 Come Make A Pumpkin Writing Prompt Craftivity With Me

With all of the pros and cons about Halloween and the hype about the negative versus the positive aspects of the holiday, I thought this controversy would make an interesting October writing prompt that even younger students could manage. This would be great for your writing block or Daily 5 writing portion on Halloween day, which tends to be a bit crazy.

As a whole group, brainstorm what things students like about Halloween and list them on the board.  Then discuss the negative aspects of the holiday and things that they don't like about Halloween.  Write those on the board as well.  

The lists can help students with spelling, as well as deciding what things they want to include in their own writing prompt. 

I've always been intriqued by the positive negative aspects of art, and the fun things you can create around that concept. 

With that in mind, I thought the perfect craft to use as a topper for this writing prompt, would be a positive negative pumpkin.   Click on the link to grab your FREEBIE.

Here's how to make one:

Run the pumpkin template off on orange construction paper. I've put two pumpkins on a page for qucik printing, so you'll need to cut them in half using a paper cutter. 

Likewise, cut black construction paper in half as well.  Students lay their 1/2 sheet of black construction paper underneath their orange paper pumpkin half, and then cut out 2 pumpkin halves at the same time.  One will be orange; the other black.

When they are done, they glue a half sheet of black construction paper onto a whole sheet of orange construction paper.

Now glue the orange pumpkin on top of the black construction paper side, and the black pumpkin on the orange construction paper side, so that the two pumpkins are joined together, making a positive and negative pumpkin picture. 

Finally, students glue their writing prompt underneath. I've included a completed sample if you want to use mine to make an example to share with your kiddos. 

You could do this with other Halloween themed objects as well.  I found this monster version over at In The Art Room, when I Googled positive negative art samples.  Instead of using my pumpkin pattern, students could also create a Jack-O-Lantern of their own.

While doing research, I found a helpful art site. For more information about positive-negative art click on the link. 

There's a short video clip explaining the positive negative art form, plus some cool samples like this one.  Do you see a vase or two profiles?

Thanks for visiting today.  Since it's not too brisk out, I'm off to do a bit of winterizing in my garden.  Too much for one day, but slow and sure wins the race.  Wishing you an energizing day.

"Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body." -- Joseph Addison