#2972. Monster interviews

Language, level: Elementary
Posted Sun Nov 9 21:40:42 PST 2003 by Carla Ringer (lapoetess@comcast.net).
St. Paul School, Weirton, WV USA
Materials Required: pencils, lined paper; crayons or markers, unlined paper
Activity Time: 45 min. or two 25 min. periods
Concepts Taught: students will learn interview process

MONSTER INTERVIEW
Grades 3-6

Objectives: Students will learn interviewing and proofreading skills, as well as 1st and 2nd person pronouns.

Instructions

· Step One: Have students, using a piece of plain white paper, draw a picture of a 'made-up' monster. They may color it any way they'd like and name it whatever they'd like. (This process took 20 minutes in my 5th grade class. Add more time for younger students.)
· Step Two: Explain to students that they are going to "interview" their monster. They will jot down five or more questions that will help them 'get-to-know' their monster. Each of the questions will begin with any of the following words: who, what, when, where, why, or how. On the board, write down five sample questions. Here are a few examples:

Where were you born?
What is your favorite food?
When is your birthday?
Why do you eat fuzzballs?
· Step Three: After your students have compiled their questions, show them the format of the interview. You could write the format on the board or type it on the computer as a handout. Their interview should be done as follows:

An Interview with (Monster's name)
By (Student's name)
Student:
Monster:
Student:
Monster:
(etc.)
· Step Four: After you have shown them the format of the interview, have them write out the questions, then have the "monster" answer them. Be sure to explain that the monster's answers should be done in first person, ("I enjoy eating fuzzballs because they're easy to find in my couch.") and the student's questions should be asked in 2nd person ("Why do you have so many scales?")
· Step Five: When the students have written out their questions and answers, have them switch their papers with a friend to edit any spelling or grammar mistakes. (This is not a necessary step, but a great peer-editing tool.)
· Step Six: After they have edited their rough draft, have them rewrite their interview. Explain to them that this is their final draft and should follow the format you explained in step three.
· Step Seven: Display the interviews with the monster's portrait side-by side on a bulletin board or wall. This is a great display for open-houses and also for Halloween!

Assessment: The grading of this project is easily adaptable for any grade level. When I did this project with my 5th grade class, I gave them 10 pts. for the picture, 10 pts. for the interview, and 5 pts. if it was edited by a peer.