31 Days of Halloween - Day 11!

This is a wonderful book that I actually spent the required $15.99 for the hardcover version year before last. The author, Carolyn Crimi, says she "loves monsters and all things Halloween." This book centers around an adorable character, Little Baby Mummy, who gets separated from his Mummy during a twilight game of hide and seek in the graveyard. (Where else?)

Little Baby Mummy isn't afraid as he runs around in the dark, calling for his Mummy. He isn't afraid when he runs into Bones (a skeleton who wears boxer shorts), Glob (a slimy, gunky creature from the swamp), and Drac (you know who that is.) All of these monsters are not too terribly frightening because they are all in their pajamas, getting ready for bed.

But THEN a creature appears who scares Little Baby Mummy to death...a mouse! He runs screaming for his Mummy! Mummy comes to his rescue quickly, and all is well as they get ready for bed and Little Baby Mummy is tucked in all safe and sound. 

There are several notable things about this book. One, the full-page illustrations strike just the right note. There are lots of cobwebs and dark shadows, and tombstones, but we are ready to believe that Little Baby Mummy is just another little kid playing a game before bed. Second, there are some repetitive phrases that are just a joy to read aloud:
          "So he tromped, tromped, tromped
          to the deep, dark woods,
          the spookery woods,
         to look for Big Mama Mummy."

He travels to the slithery swamp, the shivery cave, and finally plops down under the creaky, squeaky tree.

This is a great book to teach students about alliteration. Each "monster" makes a hideous
sound before showing itself:
Glug glug glip
Glug glug glop
Glug glug GLOO

Flap flip flap
Whap whap WHOO
                                    Flap flip FLOO

A nice literacy center activity is just to make a simple flip book showing the six characters who appear (in order). It gives the children practice in looking back in the story, to get the order correct. The should also label each character with their name, which is a great way to practiced remembering that all names begin with a capital letter!

Super Craft Ideas for Mummies abound on my Pinterest page October Ideas...click the link on the upper right!


Happy Reading!  Till Next Time, Nancy    

31 Days of Halloween - Day 7!

It's time for a little holiday math break! The students will never even notice because they will be enjoying this story about some very strange (but not very scary) monsters. Slowly at first, they start showing up at the door. One  little monster opens the door for groups of five, and then ten. I think I can see some tally marks happening while the reading is going on! Eventually 50 monsters are creating a huge mess in the house! Mother has had it.

She grabs her flyswatter and starts shooing them away, giving you a chance to do some subtracting practice. There are all kinds of math questions you can ask just by looking at the pictures. 

                  
      Extending the Story/Rereading
      This is a short story that begs to be reread.
      Read it to list words the class hears that rhyme:

      you/two      fudge/budge     heads/beds      other/Mother
      dishes/wishes      faces/races     count/amount    singing/ringing
      many/any     leaping/creeping    done/one     glad/had

      "The house is a wreck and the couch has been frosted.
      The food's been devoured and Mother's exhausted." 


Of course, your little people may be needing a brain break sometime today, so how about doing the Monster Mash here: Mallon Family Monster Mash

Happy Reading! Till next time, Nancy