M is for Monster...

So October is one of my favorite months of teaching! There are so many topics you can cover: pumpkins, bats, monsters, spiders etc. Last year I used Amy Lemons' and Katie King's Rooted in Reading unit but since I'm teaching all the writing this year I couldn't use every piece of it.  Instead I decided to create my own Monster Narrative unit. I wanted something to begin Personal Narratives that the students would enjoy. I created two different monster activities. The first one I created had the students create their own monster. They had to brainstorm ideas for its' name, hobbies, characteristics, favorites, family, and lifestyle. It was so funny to read what they came up with! I found a monster coloring book at Walmart that had pre-made monsters or outlines that the students could decorate on their own!!   Below are some pictures of the unit: 

The second part of the unit uses the monster the student created. This part of the writing has the student brainstorm something their monster has done like going on vacation, playing in the snow, helping them with math centers, etc. Any small moment the student can write about! It focuses on using transitional words such as First, Next, Then and Last as well as writing a Topic Sentence and a Concluding Sentence. 

My students really enjoyed this unit! They were so anxious for the part of our day when they were able to write about their monster! I teach the High, On Level and Lower students and these activities were perfect because I could add and take away what I wanted the students to include. My higher thinking students added more specific details while my lower level students worked on writing complete sentences! 

 Click the picture above to view this unit in my TPT store!!! I hope your students enjoy it as much as mine did!