An Educator's Reference Desk Lesson Plan
Date: May 25, 1998
Grade Level(s): 1, 2, 3
Subject(s):
Description: In this lesson, students will listen to There's a Nightmare in My Closet by Mercer Mayer. They will then create an art project, based on the book.
Goal: Students will understand the concepts illustrated in There's a Nightmare in My Closet.
Objectives: Students will demonstrate their understanding of concepts illustrated in There's a Nightmare in My Closet by creating an art project, based on the book.
Background Information: This is a terrific book, with wonderful illustrations, which will allow students to use their imaginations in describing, and drawing a "Nightmare" of their choosing.
Concepts:
Students will be able to describe and illustrate what a hypothetical "Nightmare" might look like.
Materials:
1. Read the book out loud, stopping periodically to ask the students how they might act in similar circumstances.
2. Have the students make predictions about how the boy might overcome his fears.
3. After completing the book, discuss why the boy was afraid of the thing in his closet.
4. Brainstorm characteristics of a scary monster (i.e., claws, horns, fangs, etc..)
5. Show students an example of a completed nightmare project.
6. Have the students decorate the "door" by drawing a doorknob, trim, etc.
7. Have the students draw a picture of a nightmare creature inside the door opening.
8. Have the students write sentences on the lined paper, describing their creature. (For younger students, you might help them start their sentence for them by writing, "The nightmare in my closet has..." on the chalkboard.)
9. Glue the writing paper inside the folded construction paper, to create a book.
Assessment:
1. Have the students share their work, explaining the features that make their creatures scary.
2. Check sentences for accuracy, and have students correct errors