Sendak, Maurice. (1963). Where the Wild Things Are. NY: Harper and Row. Musical /Science Connection: sound / noise classification Art Connection: character clay figures / mural design Positive Character Traits & Values: originality; control / order / discipline Introduce students to “story retelling” by presenting Where the Wild Things Are as a story without words. Use only a musical background piece such as “In the Hall of the Mountain King” from the Peer Gynt Suite, to accompany the telling of this story. It will take some practice to time turning the pages of the book with the piece of music, but, the benefits will be engaged and enthusiastic students! Here is a suggested procedure: 1. Introduce students to the story as a “story without words. 2. Ask students to retell the story using the picture clues. Focus on the beginning, the middle, and the end of the story. 3. Use a graphic organizer to map the beginning, middle, and end of the story. (tri-fold assessment) 4. Read the story. 5. Students retell the story by writing their own book using words and pictures representing the beginning, middle, and end of the story. Students are encouraged to imitate and respond to the sounds and noises found throughout the literature selection. Through experimentation, students explore a variety of objects determining which objects match the “sounds / noises” in the story. Objects are then classified according to the composite of their materials. Students may create a mural exhibiting the characters and their noises experienced in the story. Crayons, chalk, markers, and / or paint may be used alone or in combination to demonstrate interesting textures. This “noise collection” is displayed in the classroom, hallway, or media center areas. Students also enjoy working with their hands in making character clay figures representing one or two of the story characters. |