Monster Hangout

Option 1 (suggested K-3)

• Create a class monster by having students contribute various ideas/attributes (shape, color, size, etc.)

• After class monster is complete, the students write a collaborative, detailed description of the monster

  • Some teachers choose descriptive writing (This monster has a round, orange body and square, purple head), while others choose procedural (First, draw a round, orange body.)

• Submit your class’s monster description to your partner teacher (via email or Google Drive) as soon as possible. The absolute deadline is at least 7 school days before your scheduled Hangout. Remember, Mesa has Fall Break the week of October 8-12. Please plan accordingly.

• Once you get your partner class’s monster description, each student will recreate the monster as best they can.

• Arrange a time with your partner teacher to share the original descriptions and drawings of the class monster and the recreations from both classes via Webex live video.

Option 2 (suggested 4-6)

• Each student in class draws their own monster, then writes their detailed description.

• Both class teachers arrange to swap class monsters and distribute descriptions to individual students to recreate.

• Submit your class’s monster descriptions to your partner teacher (Google Drive is best for multiple files) as soon as possible. The absolute deadline is at least 7 school days before your scheduled Hangout. Remember, Mesa has Fall Break the week of October 8-12. Please plan accordingly.

• Teacher’s give a monster description to each student to recreate as best they can.

• Arrange a time with your partner teacher to share the original descriptions and drawings of the class monsters and the recreations from both classes via Webex live video.

Activity options for differentiation and/or extension:

• One student draws a picture of a monster, the partnered student writes a biography about it, then swap.
  Suggested programs: Padlet, Google Slides (recommended K-3)

• Students write a story or create a book about their monster. The link can then be shared with their partner to read and offer feedback OR students can collaborate on a story about a monster.
  Suggested programs: Bookcreator.com, Google Slides, Google Doc. (recommended 3-6)

• Turn the monster drawing into a measurement math lesson. Students would provide exact measurements of their monster as part of their directions. (recommended 4-12)

• Students write a short story in the suspense genre, then swap with partner for discussion/feedback.
  Suggested programs: Google Doc, Write the World. (recommended 7-12)

Read what teachers had to say about participating:

What did you like most about the MPS Monster Hangout experience?

"I enjoyed the fact that it provided students with an opportunity to collaborate on a project and share their final product with students in another state."

-Avril Anders, Las Sendas Elementary (2017)

"My class enjoyed the creativity and freedom of designing a monster and getting to share it with another school across the country. I liked that my students could have fun and work together. Seeing their excitement when we were able to talk to kids on the computer was priceless."

-Sue Worm, Robson Elementary (2017)

"My students loved seeing a classroom from another part of the country. It led to many great classroom discussions about similarities, differences, and what it's like to have a Snow Day!"

-Steve Madaras, Adams Elementary (2017)