Ideas and activities for reading Miss Nelson is Missing.
Download
Page 1 of 2

by Harry Allard

Miss Nelson is Missing!

The students in Miss Nelson's class have difficulty following the rules and being respectful. One day Miss Nelson concocts an ingenious plan and disappears, making it necessary for substitute “Viola Swamp” to take over. Soon the children are inundated with homework and have their story time taken away. Eventually, Miss Nelson comes back to a much improved class that appreciates her for the wonderful teacher she is.

To buy this book, click here or on the book cover.

Enrichment Activities
Internet Resources
Books by Harry Allard


Enrichment Activities

    Character Comparison
  • Use a Venn diagram to compare and contrast the story's two main characters, Miss Nelson and Miss Viola Swamp. Students can draw a character in each side of the diagram and fill the rest of the space with words that describe each woman.

    Clue Hunt
  • Students will probably figure out who Miss Viola Swamp really is. Brainstorm with them the clues that led them to that conclusion. Use the book as a guide for clue-seeking.

    Emotions Chart
  • Read Miss Nelson is Missing a second time and have students locate the places where they would have been angry, annoyed, upset, or happy if they had been in Miss Nelson's class. Create a chart on the board to fill out with the students. Have them create their own emotions chart using this printable.

    Letter Writing
  • Have students write a letter to Miss Nelson to persuade her to return to the classroom. In the letter, students can make a list of rules they would follow in the future. Teach them how to write a persuasive letter with this printable activity.

    Papier-Mâché Puppets and Masks
  • Create Papier-Mâché Puppets and Masks of the two main characters in Miss Nelson is Missing, Miss Nelson and Miss Viola Swamp. Then have students act out the story. Their classmates can play the roles of Miss Nelson's students. For help on making Papier-Mâché, use this printable about creating a piggy bank.

Internet Resources

James Marshall Biography
Grade Levels: Primary, Intermediate, Middle
James Marshall originally planned to become a musician, but after injuring one hand in an accident he stumbled upon drawing. Read more about the remarkable career of the award-winning illustrator of Miss Nelson is Missing.
https://www.hbook.com/1999/01/vhe/biographical-information/

Top Children's Authors
Grade Levels: Primary, Intermediate, Middle
A complete list of the Educational Paperback Association's top children's authors is divided into two lists: grades 1-4 and grades 5-8. Each author's link includes a biography and other works by the writer.
http://www.edupaperback.org/top100.cfm

Featured 4th Grade Resources

Spring Plants Choice Board for Elementary Grades

CHOICE BOARDS

Spring Plants Choice Board for Elementary Grades

These spring activities for elementary students, all about spring plants and flowers, will help your students review and...

Add to Folder
creative writing
children's book
activities
classroom tools
language arts and writing
vocabulary
Create new folderCREATE NEW FOLDER
Poetry Packet for Elementary

ACTIVITIES

National Poetry Month Themed Packet for Elementary

April is National Poetry Month! This themed packet was designed for elementary students, and includes a variety of activ...

Add to Folder
creative writing
children's book
activities
classroom tools
language arts and writing
vocabulary
Create new folderCREATE NEW FOLDER
Earth Day STEM Choice Board for Elementary Grades

CHOICE BOARDS

Earth Day STEM Choice Board for Elementary Grades

These Earth Day activities for the classroom focus on STEM learning for a great way to celebrate Earth Day with your ele...

Add to Folder
creative writing
children's book
activities
classroom tools
language arts and writing
vocabulary
Create new folderCREATE NEW FOLDER

Related Resources

ACTIVITIES

The Very Hungry Caterpillar Enrichment Activities

The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle The Very Hungry Caterpillar, by Eric Carle, tells the ch...

Add to Folder
creative writing
children's book
activities
classroom tools
language arts and writing
vocabulary
Create new folderCREATE NEW FOLDER

ACTIVITIES

Teammates

by Peter Golenbock Illustrated by Paul Bacon In this account of Jackie Robinson’s brave beginnings in Major League b...

Add to Folder
creative writing
children's book
activities
classroom tools
language arts and writing
vocabulary
Create new folderCREATE NEW FOLDER

BOOK GUIDES

The Keeping Quilt

The Keeping Quiltby Patricia Polacco In this story, the Keeping Quilt is passed along from generation to generation.

Add to Folder
creative writing
children's book
activities
classroom tools
language arts and writing
vocabulary
Create new folderCREATE NEW FOLDER

ACTIVITIES

Make Way for Ducklings Literature Guide

Make Way for Ducklingsby Robert McCloskey For Grades Pre–K-5 Enrichment ActivitiesBooks by Robert McCloskey Buy this ...

Add to Folder
creative writing
children's book
activities
classroom tools
language arts and writing
vocabulary
Create new folderCREATE NEW FOLDER

ACTIVITIES

The Garden of Abdul Gasazi Enrichment Activities

The Garden of Abdul Gasaziby Chris Van Allsburg A Caldecott Honor winner, The Garden of Abdul Gasazi charms readers wit...

Add to Folder
creative writing
children's book
activities
classroom tools
language arts and writing
vocabulary
Create new folderCREATE NEW FOLDER

ACTIVITIES

Sarah Morton's Day, Samuel Eaton's Day, & Tapenum's Day

Sarah Morton's Day, Samuel Eaton's Day, and Tapenum's Dayby Kate Waters In Kate Waters' books, she shows young readers ...

Add to Folder
creative writing
children's book
activities
classroom tools
language arts and writing
vocabulary
Create new folderCREATE NEW FOLDER

About the author

TeacherVision Staff

TeacherVision Editorial Staff

The TeacherVision editorial team is comprised of teachers, experts, and content professionals dedicated to bringing you the most accurate and relevant information in the teaching space.

loading gif