Monster Project Timeline - 2026

Back to the Monster Project Page



Go to the Monster Facebook group and request to Join our Teacher Group.

Objectives: Diversity Awareness, Global Connections, Collaboration, Interpretation, Problem Solving, 
Decision Making, Hands-on Construction, Communication,
Map/Geography Skills, and Making New Friends!

Complete all Monsters by Halloween!
Send in your description early so that other classes aren't waiting to finish their Monsters.

To Join the Project: e-mail smithterryk@gmail.com
See the Past Photos and Student Work: http://www.smithclass.org/proj/Monsters

Schedule at a Glance

1: Sept 4 to Sept 25 : Sign Up - Send your 12-20 word description and Class info.
2. Sept 28: Deadline to Sign Up for the project.
3. Oct 1 - Oct 28: Think, Plan, and Build Your classroom Monster.
4. Oct 28 (or sooner): Send a photo of your Monster and the Monster's Name.

Sign Up Before the Parts Run Out! See the 4 Main Steps Below

How to Sign up for the project: 4 Required Steps listed below.

1. Getting Signed Up -  Sept 4 - 25  

Email to smithterryk@gmail.com with the following:

Request the Monster part your class will design / send the description before the deadline Sept 28.
 
It's best to have a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd choice! You'll receive email to confirm the part you selected; the Teacher /School will appear in the descriptions chart on the main page. Note: When we have multiple classes in one school, we share the part across those classrooms, but classes can each build their own Monster if desired. We also have grade level sharing such as K- 4th working together. If we have a low number of classes this year, we'll give more parts out - let's see what happens.....

This info appears on the Participants Page so we all get to know each other.

1. Teacher, grade level, school, city, country
2. Include any details about your class written by one student or by a collaborative writing team.
3. Photo of the Class and Teacher
4. Latitude and Longitude
5. High and Low temperatures
6. Web site or other Communication info
7. AND ... Sustainable Development Goals Focus  
Share with us the SDG (0ne of more) that your class believes is very important to work on in taking care of the planet and its people.




  1.  SDGs. Explain what your Monster would do to help with one or more SDGs

    If our Monster used Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) he or she would make our town (or world) a better place to live by working on which Sustainable Development Goal? Choose one or more from the chart above.  
  2. Motion. It is very cool if your Monster has at least ONE moving part - surprise us!!! 

           

 Feeling creative? Share a video link with your SDG response!!

 

2. Describing Your Part  - Descriptions must be received by September 28.
Important: when you describe your part, be sure to include shape, color, and size (inches, cm, feet, etc). When your Monster part has been confirmed, brainstorm the adjectives to describe it. Create a 12-20 word description of your monster part using those creepy adjectives we all love!  Huge Monsters and 3D Monsters are always welcome!

-- IMPORTANT - when setting lengths and sizes, be realistic about what can fit in a classroom.
-- Remember:  ONLY 12-20 words may be used to describe your part - no more!

Optional Monster Studies - During October, as well as studying the SGDs, incorporate a few Monstery activities or literature. For example,  you might read aloud There's A Monster in My Closet by Mercer Mayer, Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak, the Lonely Lake Monster by Suzanne Selfors,  Monster Perimeter, Area, and Volume by David Adler, I Can Save the Earth by Alison Inches, a children's version of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, or other suitable books appropriate for your grade level to get everyone in the mood for the project. Share your creative ideas with the community. 

                        This is a good opportunity to discuss the topic of DIVERSITY among people.

 

3. Build Your Monster in October when it fits your schedule - Oct 1 through Oct 28:
Build your classroom monster using ONLY the descriptions as described in the chart. Send a photo and Monster name as soon as you can!

4. Send Your Monster Photo & NAME - No later than Oct 28, so Monsters will be ready for Halloween - Oct 31.
Brainstorm a name for your monster and email your magnificent photo to smithterryk@gmail.com. Later, we'll have a vote among all classes and post the name we agree that best matches the descriptions from the table, and we'll also make a graph of the results. All of our pictures will be posted on the project site so students can compare and contrast  the monsters for descriptive accuracy. We will VOTE for the Top Monster.

5. Optional - Creative Expression  -  Create Literature as a class or individually, about your monster. It could be a life story, a tall tale, poetry, haiku, a math riddle, or whatever your class creativity produces. Email your work to be posted on our Monster Media page or send your link. Videos? Dramas? Poems? Monster Math? Haiku? Diamantes? Songs? Recipes?

6. EXTRA: Activities: Communicate with teacher colleagues on our Facebook page. And during the project, Teachers should feel free to use e-mail, Padlet, Wakelet, Zoom, etc.  to communicate reactions, questions, or suggestions. If you have a project-based lesson plan, or other activities you’re doing in class, please send for all to share. 

Go to the Monster Page