Monster+Exchange

Students in grades Pre-K through 4th practice reading and writing through an interactive videoconferencing. Two classrooms will be paired up and each class will create a monster using materials that can be obtained from school—bulletin board paper, poster board, construction paper, markers, cotton balls, yarn, etc. The class will then write a description of their monster and send the description to their partner class via email. Each class will then recreate the other class’ monster by following the emailed directions. Both classes will meet via videoconference to compare the original monsters with the recreated monsters. This project will enable students to improve their descriptive writing skills and their ability to follow directions.
 * Monster Exchange Project Description:** //This type of project can be adapted for for anytime of year (Turkey Exchange, Elf Exchange etc.)//
 * Timeline:**

October 17— Classroom paired October 23—Monster completed and description emailed to partner class & Ashton October 22-24 —Test Connections with Partner School & EPISD TV Studio October 30 & 31—Videoconference to share monsters Videoconference AGENDA (25 mins) Welcome and Introductions: Each class shows where they are on a map in El Paso and introduces themselves in some way. Classroom A: Show the monster that you MADE and read the description you were sent. Classroom B: Show the original monster. Repeat, switching roles. Closing: Classes exchange compliments. “Best Practices for Monster Match” What Works Well 1. Have students practice reading their parts before the videoconference. 2. Show the monster as someone reads the description. 3. Make sure that the monster is stationary during the videoconference. 4. Use two presets…one on the monster and one on the whole class. You can also set one on a place where students will be reading.

**MONSTER MATCH - SAMPLE DESCRIPTION**
1. Our monster is about 18 inches tall 2. His head is shaped like a plain paper plate 3. His body is a purple rectangle 4. His legs are skinny, blue rectangles 5. He has five red and pink striped arms 6. His face has 24 big orange polka dots on it 7. His hair is made of purple string 8. Each hand has only three fingers 9 He is wearing green and yellow striped shoes with pink shoelaces 10. He has three, yellow eyes 11. His teeth are showing Adapt this to your grade level and content that you are teaching. If you are teaching color or shapes, use those in making the monster so they well be reinforced in the writing and reading process. Use the numbered list for all the descriptions as that will help me in asking questions of the students after I see the monsters.