Maurice Sendak's Seven Little Monsters: What Time is It? - Book #4
#4 of 4 in Maurice Sendak's Seven Little Monsters Series
What’s inside...
Relates what happens when Monster Five is unable to tell time, Mamma attempts to help using a watch, and his brothers and sisters must try to end the resulting confusion. Five wants to learn to tell time just like his brothers and sisters. The monsters set out to help. Soon time is flying by as they have fun teaching an important lesson.
Discussion points
What do you think each monster would like to do if they could pick any activity for the day?
How do the monsters work together to figure out what time it is? Can you think of a time when you had to work with others to solve a problem?
How do you think the story would change if it were set at night instead of during the day?
What are some ways you can tell what time it is without a clock?
How did the story make you feel when the monsters found out what time it was?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to put themselves in each monster's shoes, enhancing empathy and understanding of diverse perspectives.
Discuss the importance of teamwork as demonstrated by the monsters, relating it to everyday situations your child encounters.
Help your child explore the concept of time through creative activities like drawing different times of the day or acting out different time-based scenarios.
Reinforce the learning from the book by associating the events and decisions of the monsters with time management in real-life activities.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Understanding Time Management
Explanation: The story explores the concept of time through the monsters' adventures, teaching children the importance of punctuality and time awareness.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by learning to manage their daily activities like homework, playtime, and bedtime more efficiently.
Example Lesson: Teamwork and Collaboration
Explanation: Throughout the book, the monsters must work together to solve the mystery of 'What Time is It?'. This illustrates the power of teamwork and cooperative problem-solving.
Real-World Application: Kids can learn to collaborate with siblings, friends, and classmates in group projects or during play to achieve common goals.
Example Lesson: Responsibility
Explanation: Each monster takes on tasks that contribute to solving the main question of the book, showing how responsibility can lead to successful outcomes.
Real-World Application: Children learn to take responsibility for their chores and tasks at home and school, understanding that their contributions are valuable.
Example Lesson: Curiosity and Exploration
Explanation: The monsters’ quest to find out the time encourages curiosity and a drive to explore the unknown, a fundamental aspect of learning.
Real-World Application: This trait can be mirrored in children's lives as they explore new subjects at school, ask questions, and engage in discovering the world around them.