Maurice Sendak, Where the Wild Things Are and other stories
Lesson plans and teaching resources

There's a Mystery There: Sendak on Sendak
This retrospective "focuses on Sendak’s personality as a storyteller engaging with difficult and mysterious themes and memories in his work. It explores Sendak’s prolific imagination through the characters, influences, and settings of his books, as well as Sendak’s quest to illustrate what he calls 'the Other Story,' the hidden meanings of a text that haunt and enrich his illustrations."

Chicken Soup with Rice
Students work with the months of the year, focus on the letter "J," learn about author Maurice Sendak, and work with rhythm and syllables. Adobe Reader required for access.

Elements of a Story
This lesson plan uses Where the Wild Things Are to teach concepts of setting, character, problem (event), and solution in a story.

No More Moldy Oldies: Appreciating Classic Texts
How can teachers help students push past boredom or disinterest and find value in literary classics? In this lesson, students reflect on their reading experiences and generate strategies to promote understanding, appreciation and enjoyment. This lesson uses Where the Wild Things Are as a starting point and incorporates a related article from the New York Times. It's aimed at grades 6-12.

Where the Wild Things Are
Summary, analysis, and 3 sets of discussion questions based on themes in the story.

Wild Things
Students use Legos to create their own wild things, then write about them.

Where the Wild Things Are
Click on the link "F.I.L.M. Curriculum" for a 27-page interdisciplinary discussion guide that supports the 2009 movie. Adobe Reader or compatible application required for access.