Art Lesson Plan: My Monster Above My Bed

Imagine the fun you can have creating a glowing monster for above your bed. Children and adults have all enjoyed James Howe’s There’s a Monster Under My Bed book for years as well as Disney/Pixar’s movies Monsters, Inc. and Monsters University. Now you have a chance to bring that monster out from under the bed and place it where everyone can see it and the monster can protect you. With a few products, you can let your imagination go wild and create a glow-in-the-dark imaginative monster. You can design a three-legged monster or a monster with red hair and horns—whatever you want. After your monster comes alive, be sure to write a short story about its name, appearance, what it likes to do, what it likes to eat, and special powers it has. You need three simple products to create your monster: Elmer’s Glow In the Dark Glue, clear acetate/plastic sheet, and a black board. The board gives a special place for your monster to shine and hang out above your bed. Be sure to decorate the board with fun patterns that are meaningful to your monster! The monster will glow on its own but a by adding a black light you can increase his powers!

My Monster Above My Bed Art Project

Students will create an original monster design using inspiration and imagination. Students can read James Howe’s There’s a Monster Under My Bed book, other children’s “monster” books, or watch the Disney/Pixar movies for inspiration. They will use math and measuring skills to create a patterned border frame to mount their monster. Students can write an accompanying short story about the unique features and superpowers of their monster.

View the Lesson Plan: My Monster Above My Bed

Tips for the My Monster Above My Bed Project

• Practice squeezing the glue bottles to create different line thicknesses and to learn how much pressure is needed.
• Note that different colors may have different consistencies.
• As the glue is applied, it will spread slightly so leave a little space for that to occur.
• Keep designs simple without too much detail.
• Glue drying time varies by thickness and climate and may take up to 48 hours.

More School Specialty and Elmer’s Art Lesson Plans

Want to try something else? Be sure to check out these other lesson plans featuring Elmer’s and view our Art Lesson Plan collection for even more.

Share Your At-Home Students’ Artwork and Enter for a Chance to Win $250!

While we engage in at-home learning, we want to celebrate the wonderful pieces students have created! We are looking for all at-home student artists and giving them an opportunity to shine! Submit their artwork to be considered for our next featured at-home student artist and a chance to win a merchandise certificate worth $250 for the student and the teacher who inspired them. Original artwork from students of all grade levels is eligible and the online submission process is simple. Visit our Student Art page for details.