Miss Nelson Is Missing
Miss Nelson Series
What’s inside...
No Roses For Harry! follows Harry the Dirty Dog as he attempts to rid himself of an unwanted rose-covered sweater, ultimately succeeding when a bird unravels it. Miss Nelson Is Missing! tells of the misbehaving students of room 207 who realize the value of their kind teacher, Miss Nelson, when she disappears and is replaced by the strict Miss Viola Swamp. The Story About Ping explores the journey of a duck who experiences loneliness and abandonment before being rescued by a boy. The Little House describes the life of a little house in the countryside witnessing the changing environment as the town around her grows. Mike Mulligan & His Steam Shovel highlights the challenges faced by Mike Mulligan and his steam shovel, Mary Anne, as they take on a big job to prove their worth amidst the advent of big diesel machines.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
3-4
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
Why do you think the students behaved differently when Miss Nelson was missing?
What changes did you notice in the classroom when Viola Swamp took over?
How did the students feel when Miss Nelson was missing, and why do you think they felt that way?
What would you do if your favorite teacher suddenly disappeared?
What lesson do you think the students learned by the end of the book?
Tip: Role play these questions
Before reading, ask your child what they think the book will be about just by looking at the cover.
Use different voices for Miss Nelson and Viola Swamp to highlight the contrast between the characters.
Pause at key moments in the story to ask your child how they think the characters are feeling, and why.
After reading, relate the story to your child's own school experiences by discussing their thoughts about their teachers and classmates.
Encourage your child to draw a picture of what they imagine Miss Nelson’s day off looked like.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Respect for Authority
Explanation: The story highlights how the misbehaving students start to appreciate their teacher, Miss Nelson, only after her strict alter ego, Miss Viola Swamp, takes over. It demonstrates the importance of respecting and valuing those in authority positions.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by showing respect and courtesy to their teachers, parents, and other authority figures, recognizing their roles and efforts.
Example Lesson: Appreciation of Others
Explanation: When Miss Nelson goes missing, the children realize how kind and wonderful she was compared to her replacement. The contrast helps children see the value in appreciating people for their positive qualities.
Real-World Application: This lesson encourages children to express gratitude and appreciation for the people in their lives before it's too late or circumstances change.
Example Lesson: Consequences of Actions
Explanation: The students in the book face the natural consequence of their poor behavior through the arrival of Miss Viola Swamp. This aspect of the story underlines the cause and effect relationship between actions and consequences.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to consider the potential outcomes of their behaviors and make thoughtful decisions in their daily interactions.
Example Lesson: Importance of Personal Responsibility
Explanation: The narrative subtly teaches that individual actions contribute to a larger situation, as seen when the classroom environment deteriorates due to collective bad behavior.
Real-World Application: Kids can take this lesson to heart by contributing positively in group settings, whether in school, at home, or during extracurricular activities.
Example Lesson: The Power of Mystery and Curiosity
Explanation: The disappearance of Miss Nelson creates a mystery that engages the students' attention and curiosity, showing how intrigue can be a powerful tool for engagement and learning.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the value of curiosity and critical thinking skills as they attempt to solve problems and understand the world around them.