Login
Join

Lesson Plans and Teaching Resources for There’s a Nightmare in My Closet

The cover for There's a Nightmare in My Closet Lesson Plans and Teaching Resources
Download
Preview
Buy the book
Watch a Read-Aloud

Use There’s a Nightmare in My Closet by Mercer Mayer to strengthen your students' comprehension skills, build their vocabulary, and help them understand how words work.

A young boy has a big problem; he can't go to sleep because there is a nightmare in his closet. One courageous night, he confronts his nightmare and now he has another problem, his nightmare won't stop crying! Mercer Mayer's classic story is an ideal anchor text for readers working on improving comprehension through identifying the author's purpose, understanding text structure, making predictions, determining importance, and synthesizing.
Print resources
Preview
Buy the book
Watch a Read-Aloud

Explore lesson plans and activities to help you teach with There’s a Nightmare in My Closet in the drop down below.

The first page of Asking Questions with A Bad Case of Stripes

Determining Importance with There's a Nightmare in My Closet

In Mercer Mayer's There's a Nightmare in My Closet, the illustrations and text work hand-in-hand to help students determine the details that are the most important to remember. This focused mini lesson provides ideal places for readers to stop and practice determining importance while reading.
Common Core State Standards Alignment
RL.1.1,RL.1.2,RL.1.10,RF.1.1,RF.1.2,SL.1.1b,SL.1.2,SL.1.3,W.1.5,W.1.8,L.1.6
TEKS Alignment
1.7E,1.13E,1.13D,1.10E,1.10A,1.9C,1.8C,1.8B,1.8A,1.7F,1.1A,1.7D,1.7C,1.7B,1.6I,1.6G,1.6E,1.6A,1.1D,1.1C
Print
Preview PDF
Preview Digital
Preview Digital
Print
The first page of Asking Questions with A Bad Case of Stripes

Identifying the Author's Purpose with There's a Nightmare in My Closet

Mercer Mayer shares and important message about solving problems while entertaining readers in There's a Nightmare in My Closet. Use this identifying the author's purpose mini lesson to help your readers think critically about what the author is telling the reader throughout the story.
Common Core State Standards Alignment
RL.1.2,RL.1.6,RL.1.10,RF.1.1,RF.1.2,SL.1.1b,SL.1.2,SL.1.3,W.1.5,W.1.8,L.1.6
TEKS Alignment
1.7E,1.13E,1.13D,1.10E,1.10C,1.10B,1.10A,1.8C,1.8B,1.8A,1.7F,1.1A,1.7D,1.7C,1.7B,1.6I,1.6G,1.6E,1.6A,1.1D,1.1C
Print
Preview PDF
Preview Digital
Preview Digital
Print
The first page of Asking Questions with A Bad Case of Stripes

Making Predictions with There's a Nightmare in My Closet

As readers follow the young boy from problem to solution to problem, this making predictions mini lesson will encourage them to think about what will logically happen next in Mercer Mayer's There's a Nightmare in My Closet.
Common Core State Standards Alignment
RL.1.1,RL.1.9,RL.1.10,RF.1.1,RF.1.2,SL.1.1b,SL.1.2,SL.1.3,W.1.5,W.1.8,L.1.6
TEKS Alignment
1.7E,1.13E,1.13D,1.10E,1.10C,1.10B,1.9C,1.8C,1.8B,1.7F,1.1A,1.7D,1.7C,1.7B,1.6I,1.6E,1.6C,1.6A,1.1D,1.1C
Print
Preview PDF
Preview Digital
Preview Digital
Print
The first page of Asking Questions with A Bad Case of Stripes

Synthesizing with There's a Nightmare in My Closet

There's a Nightmare in My Closet by Mercer Mayer is a natural fit for a synthesizing mini lesson. As readers follow the young boy throughout the story, they will easily notice that his feelings about his nightmare change and they may notice that theirs do too!
Common Core State Standards Alignment
RL.1.1,RL.1.2,RL.1.3,RL.1.4,RL.1.6,RL.1.7,RL.1.9,RL.1.10,RF.1.1,RF.1.2,SL.1.1b,SL.1.2,SL.1.3,W.1.5,W.1.8,L.1.6
TEKS Alignment
1.7B,1.13E,1.13D,1.9C,1.8C,1.8B,1.8A,1.7F,1.7E,1.7D,1.7C,1.1A,1.7A,1.6I,1.6H,1.6G,1.6F,1.6E,1.6B,1.6A,1.1D,1.1C
Print
Preview PDF
Preview Digital
Preview Digital
Print
The first page of Asking Questions with A Bad Case of Stripes

Understanding Text Structure with There's a Nightmare in My Closet

Readers will practice identifying description, sequencing, cause and effect, and problem and solution text structures while reading Mercer Mayer's story about a young boy and the trouble the nightmare hiding in his closet causes.
Common Core State Standards Alignment
RL.1.1,RL.1.6,RL.1.7,RL.1.10,RF.1.1,RF.1.2,SL.1.1b,SL.1.2,SL.1.3,SL.1.5,W.1.5,W.1.8,L.1.6
TEKS Alignment
1.7E,1.13E,1.13D,1.10E,1.10D,1.10C,1.10B,1.9C,1.8C,1.8B,1.8A,1.7F,1.1A,1.7D,1.7C,1.7B,1.6I,1.6G,1.6E,1.6D,1.6A,1.1D,1.1C
Print
Preview PDF
Preview Digital
Preview Digital
Print
The first page of Asking Questions with A Bad Case of Stripes

Blends with There's a Nightmare in My Closet

This word work lesson plan and set of teaching resources use There's a Nightmare in My Closet by Mercer Mayer as a springboard for instruction focused on blends.

By anchoring word study to the text, students will benefit from seeing how beginning consonant blends cr and cl are used inside of the text before engaging in both guided and independent practice with blends.

Common Core State Standards Alignment
RF.1.3,RF.1.4
TEKS Alignment
Print
Preview PDF
Preview Digital
Preview Digital
Print
The first page of Asking Questions with A Bad Case of Stripes

Vocabulary Connections with There's a Nightmare in My Closet

This set of vocabulary development resources for There's a Nightmare in My Closet highlights the words that are most important for students to know and understand while reading the book. Through engaging in fun word games, matching words to definitions and pictures, and practicing how to categorize words, students will develop the vocabulary necessary to comprehend this story and many others.

Common Core State Standards Alignment
L.1.4a,L.1.5c,L.1.6
TEKS Alignment
1.7F,1.3A,1.3B,1.3C,1.3D
Print
Preview PDF
Preview Digital
Preview Digital
Print
The first page of Asking Questions with A Bad Case of Stripes

Comprehension Assessment with There's a Nightmare in My Closet

Use this Common Core aligned comprehension assessment to evaluate students' comprehension of There's a Nightmare in My Closet.
Common Core State Standards Alignment
TEKS Alignment
Print
Preview PDF
Preview Digital
Preview Digital
Print
The first page of Asking Questions with A Bad Case of Stripes

Running Record with There's a Nightmare in My Closet

Use this Running Record to assess oral reading fluency with There's a Nightmare in My Closet. Track meaning, structure, and visual accuracy using the first 100 words of the text to determine whether or not this book is a good fit for the readers in your classroom.

Common Core State Standards Alignment
TEKS Alignment
Print
Preview PDF
Preview Digital
Preview Digital
Print
The first page of Asking Questions with A Bad Case of Stripes

Writing with There's a Nightmare in My Closet

The BookPagez extension activities are a great way to push student engagement beyond the pages of the text. Try using this activity with early finishers, with students who show a deeper connection with the text, or as a center activity.
Common Core State Standards Alignment
TEKS Alignment
Print
Preview PDF
Preview Digital
Preview Digital
Print

Determining Importance with There's a Nightmare in My Closet (Spanish)

  • Student Practice Page and Answer Key
  • Reader's Notebook Prompt
  • Graphic Organizer
Print

Identifying the Author's Purpose with There's a Nightmare in My Closet (Spanish)

  • Student Practice Page and Answer Key
  • Reader's Notebook Prompt
  • Graphic Organizer
Print

Making Predictions with There's a Nightmare in My Closet (Spanish)

  • Student Practice Page and Answer Key
  • Reader's Notebook Prompt
  • Graphic Organizer
Print

Synthesizing with There's a Nightmare in My Closet (Spanish)

  • Student Practice Page and Answer Key
  • Reader's Notebook Prompt
  • Graphic Organizer
Print

Understanding Text Structure with There's a Nightmare in My Closet (Spanish)

  • Student Practice Page and Answer Key
  • Reader's Notebook Prompt
  • Graphic Organizer
Print

Writing with There's a Nightmare in My Closet (Spanish)

Worksheet
Print

Get Full Access to the Entire Library of Resources when You Join Today!

You don’t need another curriculum—you need smart, supportive tools that build on the stories already in your classroom. BookPagez delivers research-aligned lessons, assessments, and digital tools to make your read-alouds, centers, and guided work more meaningful, more efficient, and more fun.
  • Teach with the favorite children’s books already on your shelf
  • Receive new, research-based materials every week
  • Tap into Digital Classroom for centers, assignments, and monitoring
  • Reclaim your evenings—planning is streamlined & ready to go
  • Stay organized with your personal file cabinet + dashboard
JOIN NOW!
30 Day Risk-Free Guarantee, Cancel Anytime

About the Book

The cover for the book There's a Nightmare in My Closet
Title: There’s a Nightmare in My Closet
Author: Mercer Mayer
Genre: Fantasy
Themes: Perseverance, Self Awareness, Self Management
ISBN: 9781101650493
Publisher's Summary:
A young boy is convinced that a frightening nightmare lives inside his bedroom closet, and every night he dreads what might emerge after the lights go out. Tired of feeling afraid, the boy bravely decides to confront the source of his fear. Armed with a toy popgun and a soldier's hat, he faces the nightmare and discovers that the creature is not as terrifying as he imagined. Instead of a menacing monster, the nightmare turns out to be more frightened and vulnerable than he is. Through this encounter, the boy learns empathy and finds comfort in an unexpected friendship.

Mercer Mayer's classic picture book, with its whimsical illustrations and gentle humor, addresses childhood fears in a reassuring and accessible way. The story invites students to explore themes of bravery, perception, and the difference between imagination and reality. Its simple yet impactful narrative encourages young readers to question what's real and to recognize that our fears are sometimes not as scary as they seem. Perfect for classroom discussions about overcoming anxiety and understanding emotions, There's a Nightmare in My Closet remains a beloved resource for helping children process and articulate their nighttime worries.
Resources
Browse by Book Title Browse Classroom Resources Use the Resource Wizard Teacher Guides Digital Classroom Guides
Customer Service
Get Samples Contact Us Frequently Asked Questions Purchase Orders Login
About Us
Our Story Become a Member
Fine Print
Terms of Use Subscriber Agreement Privacy Policy Refund Policy Disclaimer Digital Resource User Agreement Student Privacy Policy Trademark and Copyright Notice
Content and Downloadable content Copyright ©2010-2025 Thinking Tree Enterprises, LLC. All other trademarks, service marks and trade names referenced on this site are the property of their respective owners. Please see our Terms of Use.

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
©BookPagez.com 2010 - 2023
Fluency / Book Filter
Search by Grade Level
Search by Reading Level
Search by Theme

Reset

Let’s Book Your 30-Minute Clarity Call
Select a day and time that works for you.
[ssa_booking type=clarity-call]

Resource Downloading disabled

Your ability to download resources is currently disabled. Please contact us at support@bookpagez.com

Oops!  It looks Like You're Getting Carried Away. 

When you joined BookPagez, you agreed to follow our Terms of Use. Based on your download activty, it looks like you've gotten carried away.

You are allowed to download resources to use in your classroom for the duration of your subscription. You are not allowed to bulk download resources. In other words, it's against the rules to download all (or most) of the resources. That's stealing, and it's not nice.

Please check your email for a message from us. Reply to the email and let us know what's going on so we can reactivate your account.
In order to continue, please indicate that you agree with the terms above

Get instant access to this resource plus thousands more when you join today.

  • Teach with the best books
  • Always have access to new resources (published every month!)
  • Get full access to Digital Classroom
  • Finally have time to "fit it all in" with super efficient lesson plans
  • Enjoy fast planning tools and stay organized with your personal file cabinet and dashboard
Save 50% for a Limited Time
Get Started
Already a member? Login here.