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How to Catch a Monster
Last updated Friday, October 13, 2023
Author: Adam Wallace
Illustrator: Andy Elkerton
Date of Publication: 2017
ISBN: 1492648949
Grade Level: 1st (GLCs: Click here for grade level guidelines.)
Date(s) Used: Oct. 2023
Synopsis:
Get ready to laugh along in this children's monster book as a brave young ninja heads into the closet to meet the monster that's been so scary night after night! But what if our monster isn't scary at all? Maybe our hero is about to make a friend of the strangest sort...
This inventive picture book about conquering fears and overcoming anxiety reminds us that things aren't always as scary as they seem!
There's a monster in my closet with claws, and teeth, and hair,
and tonight, I'm going to scare him! He lives just right through there…
| Note to readers: |
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It might be fun to have the readers for all grades treat the event like a campfire reading - sitting in a circle on the floor, classroom lights out using flashlights to read. The last item could help with any challenging kids by having them hold the flashlights for the readers.
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| Discussion topics for before reading: |
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When is Halloween?
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Do you have a Halloween costume? What is your Halloween costume this year? Or, what would you like your Halloween costume to be?
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Show the class your scary Monster Face? Or Pose?
Vocabulary:
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Brave: ready to face danger or pain; showing courage.
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Scared: fearful; frightened.
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Trick: a mischievous act; prank
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Monster: a type of fictional creature found in horror, fantasy, science fiction, fokelore, mythology and religion
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| Discussion topics for during/after reading: |
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Where does the Monster live? Does the Monster look scary to you?
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How did the Monster get trapped?
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Why did the Monster want the child to stay awake?
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How did the Monster say hello?
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Where did the Monster take the little boy? What did they eat?
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| Craft ideas: |
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Do you need a jump start on your Halloween scary mask? Students can use the art supplies provided to create a mask and at the end of class, each student can model their masks to classmates. Materials needed: Construction paper or paper plates, slim markers, crayons, stencil, and scissors.
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It is time to get the Halloween decorations out. You can get started by creating Jack o Lantern decorations. It can be happy, sad, or scary. Oh don't forget to give your new Jack o Lantern a cool or scary name like Matthew McVampire or Paige Pumpkins. Materials need: Construction paper, slim markers, crayons, stencil, and scissors.
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| Special activities: |
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Instead of Duck Duck Goose, play Kid Kid Monster!
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*Note: These craft ideas are just suggestions.
You can use them, but you don't have to use them.
You can expand upon them, or add your own twist.
Remember, though, that the focus of your time should
not be on the development and execution of a craft;
the focus should be on the read-aloud and the
enjoyment of the book!
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