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Expanded Learning Playbook™ – Volume 3 (October 2026)
The Expanded Learning Playbook™ – Volume 3 (October 2026) takes students on an exciting Monster Legends adventure designed specifically for expanded learning programs serving Transitional Kindergarten through 8th grade. Through an engaging month-long theme, students investigate the history, folklore, literature, and classic cinema behind some of the world's most iconic monster legends while developing critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, communication, and problem-solving skills through hands-on, project-based learning experiences.
Volume 3 provides expanded learning professionals with ready-to-use monthly programming that complements the school day while fostering curiosity, creativity, and meaningful student engagement. Each grade level follows a carefully designed progression of developmentally appropriate activities that integrate literacy, STEM, engineering, the arts, movement, executive functioning, technology, and ethical decision-making. Older students strengthen digital literacy by conducting online research, creating digital field guides, designing museum exhibits, participating in a mock trial, producing original podcasts, and completing authentic collaborative projects that prepare them for future success.
Unlike traditional October programming, Monster Legends explores classic monster characters through history, folklore, literature, science, ethics, and project-based learning—providing an engaging seasonal theme without Halloween-centered activities. Students discover the real stories and cultural influences behind these legendary characters while strengthening academic, social-emotional, and 21st-century skills in a fun, age-appropriate learning environment.
What's Included
✓ Four-Week Project-Based Learning Journey
Guide students through a month-long Monster Legends unit built around grade-level Project-Based Learning (PBL) experiences that encourage inquiry, creativity, collaboration, and real-world problem solving.
✓ Monster Spotlight™
Introduce students to legendary characters including Casper the Friendly Ghost, The Mummy, The Wolf Man, Frankenstein's Monster, and Dracula, while exploring the history, folklore, literature, and classic cinema that made them famous.
✓ Grade-Level Learning Progressions
Developmentally appropriate programming for TK/K, Grades 1–2, Grades 3–4, Grades 5–6, and Grades 7–8, with increasing complexity, independence, and technology integration throughout the month.
✓ Project-Based Learning Experiences
Each grade completes a unique culminating project, including a Friendly Monster Neighborhood, Monster Legends Museum, Monster Hunter Field Guide, The Trial of Victor Frankenstein, and the Monster Legends Podcast Network.
✓ Technology Connections
Older students progressively build digital literacy skills through internet research, Google Slides or PowerPoint, Canva design, QR code creation, podcast production, digital publishing, and multimedia storytelling.
✓ Family Connections
Strengthen home-school partnerships with take-home activities that encourage families to explore folklore, storytelling, creativity, and project-based learning together.
✓ Executive Functioning & 21st Century Skills
Intentionally develop planning, organization, flexible thinking, collaboration, communication, creativity, critical thinking, leadership, ethical decision-making, and responsible use of technology through authentic learning experiences.
✓ Download, Print & Go
Designed in a professional 11 × 14 magazine-style format that is easy to download, print double-sided, and fold into a polished monthly planning resource for your expanded learning program.
Skills You'll Strengthen
✓ Project-Based Learning (PBL)
✓ Literacy & Storytelling
✓ Research & Inquiry Skills
✓ Critical Thinking & Problem Solving
✓ Creativity & Innovation
✓ Collaboration & Communication
✓ STEM & Engineering Design
✓ Executive Functioning Skills
✓ Technology Integration & Digital Literacy
✓ Media Literacy & Podcast Production
✓ Ethics & Responsible Decision-Making
✓ Leadership & Teamwork
✓ Public Speaking & Presentation Skills
✓ Curiosity, Imagination & Lifelong Learning
The Expanded Learning Playbook™ – Volume 3 (October 2026) takes students on an exciting Monster Legends adventure designed specifically for expanded learning programs serving Transitional Kindergarten through 8th grade. Through an engaging month-long theme, students investigate the history, folklore, literature, and classic cinema behind some of the world's most iconic monster legends while developing critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, communication, and problem-solving skills through hands-on, project-based learning experiences.
Volume 3 provides expanded learning professionals with ready-to-use monthly programming that complements the school day while fostering curiosity, creativity, and meaningful student engagement. Each grade level follows a carefully designed progression of developmentally appropriate activities that integrate literacy, STEM, engineering, the arts, movement, executive functioning, technology, and ethical decision-making. Older students strengthen digital literacy by conducting online research, creating digital field guides, designing museum exhibits, participating in a mock trial, producing original podcasts, and completing authentic collaborative projects that prepare them for future success.
Unlike traditional October programming, Monster Legends explores classic monster characters through history, folklore, literature, science, ethics, and project-based learning—providing an engaging seasonal theme without Halloween-centered activities. Students discover the real stories and cultural influences behind these legendary characters while strengthening academic, social-emotional, and 21st-century skills in a fun, age-appropriate learning environment.
What's Included
✓ Four-Week Project-Based Learning Journey
Guide students through a month-long Monster Legends unit built around grade-level Project-Based Learning (PBL) experiences that encourage inquiry, creativity, collaboration, and real-world problem solving.
✓ Monster Spotlight™
Introduce students to legendary characters including Casper the Friendly Ghost, The Mummy, The Wolf Man, Frankenstein's Monster, and Dracula, while exploring the history, folklore, literature, and classic cinema that made them famous.
✓ Grade-Level Learning Progressions
Developmentally appropriate programming for TK/K, Grades 1–2, Grades 3–4, Grades 5–6, and Grades 7–8, with increasing complexity, independence, and technology integration throughout the month.
✓ Project-Based Learning Experiences
Each grade completes a unique culminating project, including a Friendly Monster Neighborhood, Monster Legends Museum, Monster Hunter Field Guide, The Trial of Victor Frankenstein, and the Monster Legends Podcast Network.
✓ Technology Connections
Older students progressively build digital literacy skills through internet research, Google Slides or PowerPoint, Canva design, QR code creation, podcast production, digital publishing, and multimedia storytelling.
✓ Family Connections
Strengthen home-school partnerships with take-home activities that encourage families to explore folklore, storytelling, creativity, and project-based learning together.
✓ Executive Functioning & 21st Century Skills
Intentionally develop planning, organization, flexible thinking, collaboration, communication, creativity, critical thinking, leadership, ethical decision-making, and responsible use of technology through authentic learning experiences.
✓ Download, Print & Go
Designed in a professional 11 × 14 magazine-style format that is easy to download, print double-sided, and fold into a polished monthly planning resource for your expanded learning program.
Skills You'll Strengthen
✓ Project-Based Learning (PBL)
✓ Literacy & Storytelling
✓ Research & Inquiry Skills
✓ Critical Thinking & Problem Solving
✓ Creativity & Innovation
✓ Collaboration & Communication
✓ STEM & Engineering Design
✓ Executive Functioning Skills
✓ Technology Integration & Digital Literacy
✓ Media Literacy & Podcast Production
✓ Ethics & Responsible Decision-Making
✓ Leadership & Teamwork
✓ Public Speaking & Presentation Skills
✓ Curiosity, Imagination & Lifelong Learning