Maximize Learning Potential: A Guide to Using Friday the 13th as a Teaching Strategy

Making the Most of Friday the 13th: Engaging Classroom Activities for All Grades

Two Sample Schedules for Elementary and Middle/High School Classrooms

Friday the 13th presents a unique opportunity to add excitement to the learning environment while maintaining students’ focus and engagement. Regardless of whether you teach elementary, middle, high school, or homeschool, with minimal planning and preparation, you can make this day memorable. Below are two distinct schedules—one tailored for elementary and the other for middle/high school levels—along with a list of 13 simple, yet impactful ideas to captivate your students.

To further enhance the eerie and mysterious atmosphere, we’ve included read-aloud suggestions that are ideal for both classroom and homeschool settings.

Elementary School Schedule: Friday the 13th Theme

8:00 – 8:30 AM: Morning Work – Superstitions and Writing Prompt

• Begin the day with students unpacking and working on a writing prompt.
• Share a short article or image about superstitions from various parts of the world.
• Encourage students to write about any superstitions they know or have heard of.
• This activity sets a curious and educational tone for the day.

8:30 – 9:00 AM: Reading Block – Scary Stories and Comprehension Questions

• Select a read-aloud book or story related to Friday the 13th or superstitions.
• After listening, students answer comprehension questions focusing on main ideas, key details, or making inferences from the text.

9:00 – 10:00 AM: Math – Play “Unlucky 13”

• Introduce a competitive, problem-solving activity called “Unlucky 13” using 13 counters.
• Structure the game as a math review, allowing students to build skills while working in pairs or small groups.

10:00 – 10:15 AM: Quick Brain Break – Fun Superstitions Discussion

• Allow students to share superstitions they’ve learned or heard from family members.
• This serves as a quick and engaging way to refocus the class and reinforce social skills.

10:15 – 11:00 AM: Science or Social Studies – Exploring Myths and Legends

• Link the theme of Friday the 13th to explore legends from different cultures.
• Discuss myths about black cats, broken mirrors, or ladders.
• Have students create a drawing or a short presentation about a superstition from another culture.

11:00 – 11:30 AM: Writing – Create Your Own Superstition

• Encourage students to create their own superstitions.
• They should write a short paragraph describing what the superstition is, how it originated, and why people should or shouldn’t follow it.

 

Middle/High School Class Period Schedule: Exploring Superstitions and Probability

 

1. Bell Ringer (First 10 Minutes): Superstitions Around the World

• Begin with a brief article or video about superstitions in various cultures.
• Divide students into pairs or small groups for a discussion.
• Guide the discussion with questions like, “How do superstitions influence behavior today?”

2. Reading and Discussion (10 – 25 Minutes): Friday the 13th and Superstitions

• Read a short story, poem, or article related to Friday the 13th or superstitions.
• Engage students in a post-reading discussion using guiding questions.
• Discuss the impact of superstitions on society and individuals.

3. Math/Science Activity (25 – 40 Minutes): Probability and Statistics

• Integrate math or science into the superstition theme.
• Explore the probability of “bad luck” on Friday the 13th statistically.
• Analyze patterns related to specific numbers in nature.

4. Quick Game (Last 10 Minutes): Unlucky 13

• Conclude the class with a fast round of “Unlucky 13.”
• Encourage students to think critically and apply problem-solving skills.
• Emphasize the importance of critical thinking and logical reasoning.

How to Play “Unlucky 13

Object of the Game:
The goal is to leave exactly one chip (or item) for the other player to pick up. The player who forces the other person to take the last chip is the winner. Think of it like passing a hot potato—only, you don’t want to be the one left holding the last piece!

• Materials Needed:

• • • 13 chips, pennies, or any small objects that can be picked up easily.
    • A flat surface to play on.
    • 2 players.

• Game Setup:

• • • Place all 13 chips/items in a pile in the center of the table.

• How to Play:

• • • The game is played between 2 players.
    • Players take turns picking up 1 or 2 chips on each turn.
    • Players can choose to take any number of chips (1 or 2) from the pile during their turn.
    • The objective is to strategically leave the last (1) chip for the opponent to pick up on their turn.

• Winning the Game:

• • • The player who leaves exactly one chip for the other player wins that round.
    • Play best out of 3 or 5 rounds to determine the overall winner.

• Strategy Tip:

• • Pay attention to how many chips are left as the game progresses. The key to winning is figuring out the pattern when the pile is down to the last few chips. There is a hidden strategy that makes this game fun to watch as students try to figure it out!

13 Quick Ideas to Incorporate Into Your Day

1. Reading Time: Read or listen to a spooky story, myth, or superstition-related book (see book list below).
2. Discussion Starter: Ask students about superstitions they know, or why they think people believe in certain myths.
3. Math Challenge: Use “Unlucky 13” or other number-related games to engage students in math challenges.
4. Quick Writing Prompt: Have students write about a superstition they believe or create a new one.
5. Class Poll: Poll students on whether they believe in bad luck, good luck, or neither. Display the results as a graph.
6. Art Activity: Have students draw a comic strip or storyboard of a superstitious event.
7. Science Experiment: Explore whether breaking a mirror or walking under a ladder really affects anything!
8. Compare Superstitions: Use a world map to mark superstitions from various cultures.
9. Watch a Clip: Show a brief video clip from a documentary or movie about the significance of Friday the 13th.
10. Probability Lesson: Use Friday the 13th to explain probability with dice or card games.
11. Debate: Set up a quick class debate about whether superstitions are real or just psychological.
12. Story Time: Have students sit in a circle and contribute to a spooky “round-robin” story.
13. Escape Room Activity: Create a quick, in-class “escape room” challenge using Friday the 13th clues.

 

Suggested Read-Aloud Books and Poems

Here’s a list of books and poems perfect for keeping the eerie, fun atmosphere of Friday the 13th alive in your classroom:

1. “Sideways Stories from Wayside School” by Louis Sachar
   A collection of humorous and quirky stories, perfect for upper elementary.
2. “Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark” by Alvin Schwartz
   Classic, spine-tingling stories that are perfect for a spooky day.
3. “The Raven” by Edgar Allan Poe
   An eerie poem that sparks discussion for middle and high school students about mood, symbolism, and fear.
4. “Coraline” by Neil Gaiman
   A creepy adventure suitable for middle school students.
5. “The Tell-Tale Heart” by Edgar Allan Poe
   A classic horror story that engages older students with themes of guilt and paranoia.
6. “Where the Sidewalk Ends” by Shel Silverstein
   While not spooky, this collection offers imaginative, offbeat poems that students of any age will love.

Perfect for Homeschool Settings Too!

These activities, books, and lessons can easily be adapted for a homeschool environment. Homeschool educators can use Friday the 13th as a themed learning day, integrating reading, writing, math, and social studies with minimal prep. Whether working with multiple age groups or one student, the mystery and intrigue of Friday the 13th will help capture their curiosity and make learning exciting!