Materials
Camera and film
Small trumpet pattern
Pencil or marker
Paper
Scissors
Laminate or clear contact paper
Velcro
Pattern of a large solider and large trumpet
Instructions
1. This idea is designed to help turn those not-so-polite "I want" statements into
more appropriate "May I please..." requests.
2. In advance, make a silly monster mask (not too scary!) using a paper plate.
3. Discuss with the children how some words and phrases are polite and some
are not. Make a chart with two columns and list some polite words and some
"monster" words.
4. Whenever you hear an "I want" statement from one of the children, say,
"What was that? I thought I heard the "I want' monster! Yes, I did! Uh, oh,
here he comes!" Put on the mask and tickle the child or make a silly monster
noise. Keep it light and the children will think this is funny. The hitch, though,
is that the request will not be granted until the child rephrases by using a
"May I please..." statement to scare the "I want" monster away.
5. At first, the children may use an "I want" statement on purpose to elicit an
appearance from the monster, but soon they will realize that to get whatever
it is they want, they need to skip the silliness and use a polite request instead.
6. Adapt the monster's name as needed. He is also widely known as "Gimme!"
More to do
Art: Make "I want" monster masks with the children.
