NURSERY RHYME LESSON
Little Miss Muffet

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Little Miss Muffet
Text Type: Poetry • Word Count: 47

Nursery Rhyme Summary
No one can forget poor Miss Muffet and the dreadful fright she had on her tuffet. Though some of the vocabulary has passed out of use (what is whey, anyhow?), this rhyme still manages to delight children and adults alike. Reading A-Z's version, with its easy-to-read format and supportive illustrations, is sure to continue the tradition.

Introduce the Poem
Show students the cover of the book. Flip through the pages and display the illustrations. Tell students that you are going to read a famous poem called a nursery rhyme. They may be familiar with parts or all of the poem.

Build Background
Ask students if they have heard the nursery rhyme Little Miss Muffet before. If they know it, allow students to recite the rhyme. You may wish to go over some of the unfamiliar vocabulary or have students make use of the classroom dictionary to look up words such as tuffet. Ask students if they know of any other nursery rhymes or poetry. Ask students what a rhyme is. Have them name rhyming words from Little Miss Muffet.

Before Reading
Invite students to ask questions as you read. Since many nursery rhymes are passed down orally, students may remember a slightly different version of the rhyme. Allow students to tell you the versions they are familiar with, but also encourage them to listen to the version you will read. Have them listen to the rhythm and rhyme as you read.

During the Reading
Be sure to read slowly and with expression. Read the nursery rhyme as though you were reading for meaning rather than from memory. This will draw students into the poem. Use think-aloud strategies and react to parts of the poem by asking questions and showing emotional responses such as laughter or surprise.

After the Reading
Reader Response
Ask students what they thought of the rhyme. Ask them to describe their favorite part or their favorite illustration. Ask volunteers to summarize what happened in the poem.

Comprehension
Ask questions that allow students to demonstrate their understanding of the poem.
What was Miss Muffet eating?
Where was she sitting?
What frightened her?