FROM the MOUTHS of KIDDLE CRITers: a critique group “Flusi lived in a sock pile,” said Philippe. “He’s a sock monster. “I don’t think that Flusi was much of a monster, though,” said Jake. “He looked so cute,” said Anya. “I don’t think he was a monster either!” “I agree,” said Juan. “He was cute and furry and he seemed so innocent.” “I thought that Flusi looked like a hairy ant,” said Philippe. Everyone cracked up . . . . . . everyone, except Pritka. She rolled her eyes. “Well, I, personally, think that Flusi looked like a stuffed animal,” she said. “But, Flusi thought that he wasn’t anything like a stuffed animal,” argued Sarit. “Yeah, he was a living, breathing sock monster,” said Anya. “A sock monster that stole socks for love . . . and comfort,” said Juan. “He used the socks for hats, too,” said Sarit. “And to keep warm,” said Pritka. “Flusi also used the socks to disguise himself,” said Jake, “and to hide in.” “But, all Maya’s socks were disappearing,” said Sarit. “And, her favorite socks had holes in them,” said Becky with a giggle. “It’s pretty mean to steal socks,” said Anya. “Maybe the washing machine ate them,” said Sarit. Everyone looked at her like she was crazy. “Well, that happened to me once," she said. So . . . it could be possible.” “But, I would hate it if I didn’t have a single pair of matching socks in my drawer,” complained Pritka. Juan shrugged. “Well, I wouldn’t care if my socks didn’t match. No one is going to look at them, anyway,” he said. Then he started to laugh as everyone stared at his mismatched socks and he shrugged again. TEACHER TALK RECIPE FOR A SOCK MONSTER: Art I’ve never seen it, but I know there’s a sock monster in my house. My favorite black socks with the green frogs have gone missing. Well, not both of them – just one. Typical sock monster behavior! I bet your Kiddles have sock monsters in their houses, too. And if they do, they just might want to make their very own sock monster . . . with their left over socks. Here’s how. 1. Have each Kiddle bring in an abandoned sock . . . preferably a wild and crazy one, like my frog sock. 2. Add some yarn for hair. This can be glued onto the sock with Elmer’s Glue or use a large-eyed needle to sew yarn strings (6”) through the top/toe of the sock. 3. Glue buttons on for eyes or you can also buy googly eyes from a craft store and glue them on. 4. A red felt strip makes a good mouth. Attach it with glue, too. 5. Dab a bit of glue onto a cotton ball – presto what a nose! 5. Glue pipe cleaners onto the head as antennae or at the mouth as whiskers. 6. Add a ribbon around the neck to make a scarf or use a strip of fabric to make a tie. 7. Use your creativity and a bunch of odds and ends and the monster combinations are endless. SOCK MONSTER ROLE-PLAY: Social Studies, Health, Math, Language Arts The sock monsters that your Kiddles made in RECIPE FOR A SOCK MONSTER have endless possibilities. With a little imagination, they can be used across the curriculum. 1. Kiddles can use their sock monsters to work out bullying problems or just to role-play possible bully situations. (Ex.: teasing, excluding others from play, calling names) 2. Kiddles can use their sock monsters to play flash card games, both in math and in language arts. Ex.: addition and subtraction flashcards and vocabulary flashcards. SOCK PATTERNS: Math, Art There are striped socks and polka-dotted socks . . . socks covered in alligators and frogs. There are socks with pumpkins or flowers and some with purple spotted dogs. And your Kiddles can probably create a million more combinations. 1.First, have the Kiddles find as many patterned socks in Flusi, the Sock Monster as they can. 2. Next, talk about the different patterns they see and ask them to think of additional patterns they might use. Draw some of their suggestions on a white board. 3. Give each Kiddle a sock pattern made of tag board and ask them to make their own patterned sock. 4. Hang their socks on a line in the classroom for display. SUGGESTED WEBSITES: (Although I examined these websites and found them to be very helpful, please use them at your own discretion.) Preschool Education Music and Songs: Monsters: http://www.preschooleducation.com/smonster.shtml Seven Little Monsters Game: http://pbskids.org/sevenlittlemonsters/games_fun/coloring_game/sixcolor.htm SUGGESTED BOOKS: Dear Big, Mean, Ugly Monster by Ruth Marie Berglin, illustrated by Carl DiRocco Clyde Monster by Robert L. Crowe, illustrated by Kay Chorao The Perfect Monster by Sally Grindley, illustrated by Erica-Jane Walters |
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