Introduction: Set a small stool and a bowl of oatmeal (or other cereal) in front of the room. Hang a spider close by. Discuss with the students about nursery rhymes and can they guess which one they are about to hear. Poll the students to see how many have heard Little Miss Muffett after the rhyme has been read.
Little Miss Muffett
Little Miss Muffett She sat on a tuffett, Eating of curds and whey;
There came a black spider, And sat down beside her, Which frightened Miss Muffett away.
Best Loved Nursery Rhymes and Songs (1974) Publisher-Parents Magazine
Extension: Encourage the students to write about their personal experiences with spiders. Once they have done that, write a similar style (nursery rhyme) using the spider as a main focus.
