Pokémon Halloween: The Celtic Origins of Spooky Pokémon
This class is an exploration of the origins and mythology of Halloween, using the Pokémon anime and games. We'll compare and contrast these spooky Pokémon with their historical inspirations from Celtic and Irish folklore.
Lauren James
Average rating:
4.9
Number of reviews:(3,161)
What's included
3 pre-recorded lessons
3 weeks
of teacher support1 year access
to the contentMastery Evaluation
1 hour per week. Students can post their answers to any "Expand Your Knowledge" challenge to receive feedback from the teacher.Class Experience
US Grade 2 - 12
We all know the typical Halloween decorations: bats, ghosts, candles, pumpkins...the list is long and varied. But how did all these themes come together to represent Halloween? Where did all these traditions come from? And are some Pokémon also inspired by these same traditions and myths? We'll explore the origins of Halloween alongside the spookiest creatures of the Pokémon world. This is a self-paced class, which means there is no live component. This course contains 3 lessons. Each lessons has one recording (each 13-18 minutes long) plus extension activities to extend your learning beyond the video presentation. All extension activities are optional and at the discretion of the parent. Need a discount? Sure thing! All of my self-paced courses are "pay what you can afford." To get the discount you need, sign up for the course first, then message me with the discount you would like, and I will apply a partial refund. This must be done before the end of the first week of class.
Learning Goals
By the end of the class, students should be able to:
💀 Explain the purpose of the Celtic New Year - Samhain.
💀 Recall some of the basic beliefs of the Celtic people regarding spirits and their purposes.
💀 Discuss the origins of supernatural creatures inspired by Celtic tradition, including the Grim Reaper (and the Celtic version, the Ankou), banshees, sluaghs, will-o-wisps, poltergeists, and possessed objects.
💀 Describe which modern Halloween traditions and costumes originated with the Celtic people, including the tradition of trick-or-treating.
💀 Tell how their favorite spooky Pokemon relate to common Halloween decorations and traditions, such as candles and bats.
💀 Explain the importance and role of witches in Celtic tradition.
Syllabus
3 Lessons
over 3 WeeksLesson 1:
Samhain, Skeletons, Candles
This lesson will explore the Celtic origins of Halloween, the purpose of Samhain (the Celtic "New Year"), the Grim Reaper (and the Celtic version, the Ankou), and what candles have to do with Halloween. Of course, Pokémon inspired by these topics are included in the lesson! 13 mins of video lessons
Lesson 2:
Ghosts and Trick-or-Treating
Ever wonder who came up with the idea for trick-or-treating? And what Pokemon are inspired by ghosts from folklore and mythology? This lesson will explore these fascinating topics! 19 mins of video lessons
Lesson 3:
Witches and Jack-o-Lanterns
Explore the origins of witches and Jack-o-Lanterns in the context of Celtic tradition and, of course, Pokemon. 12 mins of video lessons
Other Details
Parental Guidance
Pokemon "ghost types" are indeed creepy, and of course Halloween themes and origins involve the talk of death and evil spirits. Because of this creepy Halloween theme, the class may be disturbing to some children.
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Joined September, 2017
4.9
3161reviews
Teacher expertise and credentials
Bachelor's Degree in Education from Brigham Young University
💰 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐬 💰
I offer a "pay what you can afford" discount for all flex classes. After you enroll, send me a message from the section you signed up for. I can then apply a partial refund to match the amount you need; it can be any amount!
🎓 𝐐𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 🎓
From 2005 to 2021 I was a highly certified teacher in Arizona, in Science, Language Arts, and Social Studies. (I allowed my teaching license to lapse after becoming employed by the University of Arizona.) I have a Bachelor of Science in Earth and Space Science Education. I have four children ranging from 9 to 14 years of age. Besides teaching on Outschool, I am an advisor and educational outreach coordinator at the University of Arizona, and I also run my own small business giving astronomy shows in an inflatable planetarium for libraries and schools. In my spare time, I like to hike with my family, go on road trips, and volunteer with the Crisis Text Line (an organization that helps at-risk teens and young adults work through difficult situations).
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Most of my classes come with projects or extension activities your child can do at home. Because every family situation is different, all of these activities and assignments are optional and at the discretion of the parent.Reviews
Self-Paced Course
$5
weekly or $13 for all content3 pre-recorded lessons
3 weeks of teacher support
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1 year of access to the content
Completed by 192 learners
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Ages: 7-18
