Love and friendship are important lessons for little learners, and Love Monster by Rachel Bright is the perfect story to explore them! After reading this heartwarming read-aloud, we dive into a variety of Love Monster activities that provide fun, hands-on ways to teach friendship, kindness, and emotional awareness. From engaging literacy and math centers to comprehension activities, plus an adorable craft, these Love Monster activities help students make meaningful connections to the story while building important skills for the classroom!

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Love Monster Read Aloud

Before diving into our Love Monster activities, we begin by reading Love Monster by Rachel Bright.

Love Monster is a somewhat hairy creature trying to blend in with the cuddly inhabitants of Cutesville. However, it’s challenging to fit in with all the cute and fluffy characters when you’re a googly-eyed monster. Determined to find someone who will love him just as he is, Love Monster embarks on a quest. His journey is far from easy—he searches high, low, and even in between. But soon, he discovers that love can find you in the most unexpected moments, often in the blink of a googly eye!

Love Monster Activities

After reading the story, we complete a variety of Love Monster activities across several days.

Friendship Sort

Once we read the story one time through, we complete this whole class friendship anchor chart sort. We use the picture cards to identify friendly choices and unfriendly choices. I prep the anchor chart ahead of time by attaching the labels and drawing the t-chart. Then, I laminate the chart and attach hook and loop dots, so that students can help you sort the choices. You can also opt to use a pocket chart and have students place the cards.

To quickly check for understanding, I like to have students complete these printable sorts on their own. You can use them right after the whole-group activity, the next day for morning work, as a quick time-filler, or even during centers.

Identifying Character Traits

The next day, we reread the story and create this anchor chart to identify the physical traits and personality traits of Love Monster. I also prep the “bones” of this anchor chart prior to our whole group lesson.

You can also choose to use these printable response sheets for independent practice.

Comprehension Activities

Throughout the week, we dive deep into comprehension with these Love Monster activities!

On the first day, we pause to make an inference about how Love Monster feels after reading this quote, “But nobody loves a slightly hairy, I-suppose-a-bit-googly-eyed monster.”

We then continue reading until we reach, “But in the blink of a googly eye…everything changed,” where we stop to make a prediction about what will happen next.

On the first day, after reading the story, we use these picture retell cards to retell the story. Then, the students sequence three picture cards for the beginning, middle and end of the story with this simple cut and glue sequencing activity.

Students also illustrate how Love Monster’s emotions change from the beginning of the story to the end of the story with this student printable.

As I read the story, I use these picture and definition cards to introduce key vocabulary.

We also use these story element posters to review and discuss the characters, setting, problem, and solution.

Together, we make a simple anchor chart to display the story elements, and then the students illustrate or match each one on their student printable.

We then make a personal connection to the story by writing and illustrating a moment when we felt “down in the dumps” or a way we can be a good friend.

Love Monster Craft

Once we have read Love Monster several times and completed many of the Love Monster activities, it is time to make this adorable Love Monster craft!

After assembling their Love Monster, students choose one of the hearts and respond to the included writing prompt. There are several prompts to choose from, so you can pick the one (or ones) that work best for your students.

This craft makes an adorable Valentine’s Day bulletin board display and a great reminder of the things we love and how to be a good friend.

Love Monster Centers

The fun doesn’t stop with the Love Monster activities and craft, there are also eight center activities, four math and four literacy centers, included in this pack!

Love Monster Math Centers

Bus Stop Shapes

For this math center, the students will sort the real-world objects by 3D shape.

Fluffy Numbers

At this center, the students will match the correct ten frames and base ten blocks to each fluffy friend.

Friendly Number Order

Students will complete each number sequence with the hearts that come before and after each given number.

Monster Bonds

For this last math center, the students will determine the missing addend to complete the number bond.

Love Monster Literacy Centers

Beginning Sound Suitcases

For this center, the students will match the luggage tag to the suitcase with the same beginning sound.

CVC Fluffy Friends

Students will name the picture, segment the CVC word, and fill in the missing sounds.

Blend Monsters

During this center, students will decode the CCVC word and match the correct heart to each Love Monster.

Down in the Dumps Digraphs

At this center, the students will sort the raindrops to the correct digraph rain cloud.

Love Monster Activities

Grab the Love Monster activities, craft, and centers, here!

More Activities for February

If you loved the Love Monster activities, you’ll love these February centers for kindergarten!

Plan the best Valentine’s Day party with this comprehensive list of Valentine’s Day party stations!

You might also want to check out this Valentine’s Day escape room!

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