As Halloween approaches, there’s no better time to teach students about the spooky side of Hollywood. Haunted Hollywood is full of chilling stories and tales of ghosts that still roam the halls of some of the city’s most famous landmarks. Here’s how to incorporate it into your lesson plans.
Begin by introducing your students to some of Hollywood’s most famous landmarks. From the Hollywood sign to the Griffith Observatory, there’s no shortage of iconic places to discuss. Each landmark has its own unique story, and many are said to be haunted.
One of the most famous ghost stories in Hollywood involves the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel. The hotel was built in 1927 and is said to be the site of numerous paranormal occurrences. In particular, guests have reported sightings of actor Montgomery Clift, who died in one of the hotel’s rooms and is said to still haunt the premises.
Next, have your students research Hollywood celebrities who have claimed to have had paranormal experiences. For example, Lucy Liu claims to have seen a ghost while staying at the Chateau Marmont, and Shia LaBeouf has claimed to have had a ghostly encounter while filming one of the Transformers movies.
After the research is complete, have your students present their findings to the class. Encourage them to be creative – they could create a PowerPoint presentation, poster, or even a short video about their chosen haunted Hollywood landmark or celebrity.
To further engage your students, you could also plan a field trip to one of Hollywood’s haunted landmarks. The Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel offers daily ghost tours, while the Queen Mary in nearby Long Beach is said to be one of the most haunted places in the country.
Teaching your students about haunted Hollywood is a fun and engaging way to incorporate Halloween into your lesson plans. By learning about the spooky side of Hollywood, your students will gain a greater appreciation for the city’s history and the legends that have shaped it.
