State and Model the Objective
Tell the children that they will make monster masks as they listen for words that begin with the /m/ sound, such as moon, macaroni, marshmallows, and markers.

Literacy Activities
Make a monster mask

• Read the book A Halloween Mask for Monster by Virginia Mueller (optional). 
• Point out to the children that the words monster and mask both start with the /m/ sound, and ask them to listen for more /m/ words during the activity.
• Lay all of the picture cards (see below) on a table or the floor for the children to see, then hold up the cards one at a time and ask the children to identify the pictures.
• Have the children repeat the names of the objects together, emphasizing the /m/ sound (e.g., /m/ /m/ monkey). 
• Give each child a pre-cut monster mask (see below) and encourage the children to decorate their masks with the /m/ objects (e.g., macaroni, mini marshmallows, moons, monkeys, mice).
• Invite the children to take turns modeling their mask, looking in a mirror, and telling the other children what /m/ objects they put on their mask (e.g., "I put moons, monkeys, and marshmallows on my monster mask.").
• Point out the words the children said that started with the /m/ sound and have the children echo back the words, listening for the /m/ sound.

Monster mask march

• Assist the children in putting on their masks, play some marching music as they do a monster mask march, and have them tell you an /m/ word as they pass you (optional).

More Practice
Repeat words with the target sound

• Have the children each tell you one /m/ thing they put on their masks as you write what they tell you on a whiteboard or chart.
• Read the list to the children slowly, emphasizing the /m/ sound, and have them echo the words back to you.

March and say the target sound in words 

• Have the children march and say each sound of the word mud:
  • segment sounds: say /m/ (march right), say /u/ (march left), say /d/ (march right)
  • blend sounds: jump with both feet and say mud to blend the sounds into the whole word
• Repeat with other words that start with /m/ (e.g., mat, mop, met, more).