Monsters

Today our activities revolved around monsters.  We read the story Go Away Big Green Monster Caldecott Award-winning author-artist Ed Emberley has created an ingenious way for children to chase away their nighttime fears. Kids can turn the pages of this die-cut book and watch the Big Green Monster grow. Then, when they're ready to show him who's in charge, they'll turn the remaining pages and watch him disappear! This story allowed us to talk about some books being real and others being make believe.  Another one of his books is titled Glad Monster, Sad Monster.

During one center today the children read the story Shape Monster, Shape Monster.  Each page started out with the sentences, "Shape Monster, Shape Monster, Munch, Munch, Munch.  How about a ______ for your lunch?"  To fill in the blank a shape and its color was written.  For example, "How about a yellow square for your lunch?"  The children listened to the shape clue then glued the corresponding shape on the page.  When your child brings the book home tomorrow encourage them to try to read it to you.  Have them point under the words with their fingers moving left to right.  Also have them use the picture clue to tell about the shape.  If your child does not know the shapes, keep the book out and reread it the next couple of nights.