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Table of Contents
In the 1800’s, multiple waves of Irish immigrants came to America. The Irish immigrants quickly discovered that pumpkins were big and easy to carve out and so they used them for Jack O’Lanterns.
See the fact file below for more information on Jack O’Lanterns or alternatively download our comprehensive worksheet pack to utilise within the classroom or home environment.
- The Irish brought the tradition of carving pumpkins into Jack O’Lanterns to America.
- The original Jack O’Lantern was, however, not a pumpkin as pumpkins did not grow in Ireland.
- On All Hallow’s Eve, the Irish traditionally hollowed out turnips, rutabagas, gourds, potatoes and beets.
- They then placed a light in them to ward off evil spirits and keep Stingy Jack away.
- The Jack O’Lantern legend goes back hundreds of years in Irish history. Many of the stories center around Stingy Jack.
- Stingy Jack was a miserable, old drunk who took pleasure in playing tricks on just about everyone, from family to friends, his mother and even the devil himself.
- One day, he tricked the devil into climbing up an apple tree. After the devil had climbed up the tree, Stingy Jack hurriedly placed crosses around the tree trunk.
- Unable to touch a cross, the devil was left stuck in the tree. Stingy Jack then made the devil promise to not take his soul when he died.
- Once the devil had made this promise, Stingy Jack removed the crosses and the devil climbed down out of the apple tree.
- Many years later, when Jack died, he went to the pearly gates of heaven and was told by Saint Peter that he was mean and cruel and had led a miserable, worthless life on earth.
- Stingy Jack was not allowed to enter heaven and so instead he went down to hell and the devil.
- The devil kept his promise and would not allow him to enter hell.
- Jack was then left scared and had nowhere to go but to wander around forever in the dark netherworld between heaven and hell.
- He asked the Devil how he could leave since there was no light. The devil then tossed him an ember from the flames of hell to help Stingy Jack light his way.
- Jack had a turnip with him. It was one of his favorite foods so he always carried one.
- Jack hollowed out the turnip and placed the ember the devil had given him inside the turnip.
- From that day onward Stingy Jack roamed the earth without a resting place, lighting his way as he went with his ‘Jack O’Lantern’.\
Jack O’Lantern Worksheets
This bundle contains 11 ready-to-use Jack O’Lantern worksheets that are perfect for students who want to learn more about Jack O’Lantern’s and their association with Halloween.
Download includes the following worksheets:
- Jack-O’-Lantern Facts
- Jack Story
- Characteristics
- Let’s Draw!
- Guess the Object
- Fill in the Blanks
- Jack Acrostic
- Costume
- Trick-or-Treat
- Jack Stories
- Around the World
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Link will appear as Jack-O-Lantern Facts & Worksheets: https://kidskonnect.com - KidsKonnect, September 26, 2021
Use With Any Curriculum
These worksheets have been specifically designed for use with any international curriculum. You can use these worksheets as-is, or edit them using Google Slides to make them more specific to your own student ability levels and curriculum standards.