NURSERY RHYME LESSON
This Little Piggy

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This Little Piggy
Text Type: Poetry • Word Count: 34

Nursery Rhyme Summary
With no toes in sight, this classic rhyme follows a family of Little Piggies until they're all the way home! Delightful illustrations give life to this easy-to-read nursery rhyme.

Build Background
Ask students if they've ever seen pigs (either in person or on television). Ask them to tell you what the pigs were doing when they saw them. Ask students to tell you what makes the Little Piggies in the book different from the pigs they saw.

Discuss poetry's rhymes and rhythms. Ask students to look at the fruits and vegetables in the illustration on page 3, point to each one as you say its name. Then, ask the students to come up with a word that rhymes with corn. Use other familiar rhymes as references. Also explain that poetry follows a rhythm or "beat" with the syllables.

Previewing the Poem
Show students the cover of the book and read the title. Open the book to the title page. Turning the pages, show students the illustrations and explain how the text and pictures work together to tell the story.

During the Reading
Allow students to stop and ask questions during reading, especially if there is something they do not understand. Show the students how each sentence starts with the same three words (This little piggy) except for the last sentence. Explain how this creates a pattern for the rhyme and by breaking the pattern on the last sentence, it gives the last part special emphasis.

If reading aloud, be sure to read with expression. Emphasize the pattern and the rhythm in the poem. Use think-aloud strategies and react to parts of the book with facial expressions and gestures.

After the Reading
Reader Response
Ask students what they thought of the poem. Have volunteers summarize the poem or name their favorite part.

Comprehension
Ask specific questions that allow students to demonstrate their understanding of the poem.

• Where did the first little piggy go?
  
• What did the second little piggy do?
• Which piggy had roast beef, the third or the fourth piggy?