NURSERY RHYME LESSON
Wee Willie Winkie

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Wee Willie Winkie
Text Type: Poetry • Word Count: 32

Nursery Rhyme Summary
Wee Willie Winkie is a very simple rhyme about a man who checks on the homes in his town to make sure the children are all in bed. Its short length and simple style make it a great introduction to poetry for early readers.

Introduce the Poem
Show children the cover of the book. Quickly flip through the pages to show each illustration. Explain to children that you are going to read a nursery rhyme. Ask what they think the nursery rhyme might be about from looking at the illustrations.

Elicit Prior Knowledge
Ask children about some of their favorite nursery rhymes. Have a discussion about rhyme and poetry. Explain that nursery rhymes have been around for so long, that no one quite knows where they came from.

Next, have a discussion about bedtime. Ask and say: What happens in your house at bedtime? Do your parents check to make sure you are in bed? Let’s see what happens in Wee Willie Winkie’s town at bedtime.

Before Reading
Invite children to ask questions as you read, especially if there is something they do not understand. Tell them to listen to the rhythm and the rhymes in the poem. Have them clap on the rhyming words as you read.

During the Reading
Be sure to read with expression. Pause occasionally and ask questions of children. Use think-aloud strategies and react to parts of the poem by asking questions, and showing emotional responses such as laughter. Exaggerate the rhyming words in the poem.

After the Reading
Reader Response
Ask children what they thought of the poem. Ask them to describe their favorite part or illustration.

Comprehension
Ask specific questions that allow children to demonstrate their understanding of the poem. Ask:
What was the poem about?
What did Wee Willy Winkie do at eight o’clock?