Lesson 1: Fiction Versus Non-Fiction

Read Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed by Eileen Christelow or Count the Monkeys by Mac Barrnett. Read Monkeys by Julie Guidone or another simple nonfiction monkey book. Talk about how the books are the same and different. Go through the Fiction/Non-Fiction google slide show (linked below) and have them clap their hands if it is fiction or stomp their feet if it is non-fiction. Watch the video below and pause and have them say if it is fiction or non-Fiction.  

Lesson 2: Characters and Narrators

Read I Want to be in a Scary Story by Sean Taylor.  Discuss the characters in the story and who the narrator is.  How did the character change from the beginning of the story to the end.  Have students create a friendly monster with this template.  Monsters can be printed on construction or plain paper.  Let students choose a monster template and have them use scraps of construction paper or crayons to complete their monster.

Lesson 3: Characters and Story Elements

Read the story Creepy Crayon by Aaron Reynolds. Below is a video of Aaron Reynolds reading his book. Discuss with students who the characters are and the story elements. 

• Option 1: Have them create their own creepy crayon out of construction paper.  you can use this Crayon Template.  Students can color and draw eyes or LMT can provide wiggly eyes to glue on. 

• Option 2: Have students do a Crayon stem challenge.  Give students a bunch of crayons and see if they can build a tower! 

Extension Activity (if time allows): 

Read Creepy Underwear or Creepy Carrots by Aaron Reynolds

Lesson 4:  Fall Fun

• Black 9x12 construction paper with the outline of a candy corn drawn on with white crayon or print this candy corn sheet.

• 1 small piece of white, yellow, and orange construction paper for ripping.

Choose a Halloween or fall book to share. Suggestion: Fall Mixed Up by Bob Raczka

Show students how to rip a "just right" size piece of paper.  If it's too small, it will take for ever to complete  and if it's too big, the candy corn will look sloppy.  Add glue to the black paper to avoid sticky fingers and tables.