Illustration of detective anteater holding a magnifying glass
Art by Doug Cushman
Fiction,

Aunt Eater Sees a Monster

Can Aunt Eater follow the clues and prove that there is no monster? Find out in this classic story by award-winning author and illustrator Doug Cushman.

By Doug Cushman
From the October/November 2022 Issue
Lexiles: 450L
Guided Reading Level: I
Common Core Standards
  • RF.1.1 Features of print RL.1.2 Retell stories RL.1.3 Describe character and settings using key details RL.1.4 Words that describe feelings RL.1.7 Use visuals RL.1.10 Grade-1 prose and poetry SL.1.1 Discuss grade-1 texts
TEKS Standards
  • Health
    (11) Personal/interpersonal skills. The student understands that bullying behaviors result in negative consequences throughout the life span. The student is expected to: (A) demonstrate how to get help from a teacher, parent, or trusted adult when made to feel bullied, uncomfortable, or unsafe by a peer or an adult.

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Think and Read

As you read, think about how Aunt Eater solves the mystery.

Aunt Eater the anteater loved mysteries. And she loved her Halloween costume.

“It’s perfect!” she said. “I look like a real detective.”

She was ready for the big party.

On the way, she saw a pirate. 

“Is that you, Wally?” she asked. 

“I need help,” said Wally. “There is a monster in my kitchen. 

I think it ate my father!”

“That is silly,” said Aunt Eater. “There is no such thing as monsters.”

They went to Wally’s home.

PAUSE AND THINK: What is Wally’s problem?

Aunt Eater looked inside. She saw a shadow on the wall.

“It does look like a monster,” she said.

“OOOHHH!” it said.

“It does sound like a monster,” said Aunt Eater.

She closed the door.

PAUSE AND THINK: What does Aunt Eater find at Wally’s house?

“My father and I went trick-or-treating,” said Wally. 

“Then we came home. He went into the kitchen.”

“I heard scary noises,” said Wally. “He didn’t come back.”

Aunt Eater did not believe in monsters.

“I’m going back in,” she said.

“Be careful,” whispered Wally.

PAUSE AND THINK: Do you think Aunt Eater will find a monster? Why do you think that?

“OOOHHH!” said the monster. Aunt Eater saw candy wrappers on the floor. 

“A clue!” said Aunt Eater.

She followed the trail of wrappers.

It went behind the table.

PAUSE AND THINK: What clue did Aunt Eater find?

“OOOHHH!” said Wally’s father. “I ate too much candy. 

Now I feel sick.”

“The mystery is solved,” said Aunt Eater.

“This monster just needs a cup of tea and a good night’s sleep.”

video (1)
Slideshows (1)
Activities (3)
Skills Activities
Answer Key (1)
video (1)
Slideshows (1)
Activities (3) Download All Quizzes and Activities
Skills Activities
Answer Key (1)

About the Story

English Language Arts Focus

Elements of a story

Genres of literature

Step-by-Step Lesson Plan
Download the Lesson Plan

ESSENTIAL QUESTION

The essential question of this issue is What is a mystery? The articles below connect to this theme.

  • Background Builder: “What Is Bigfoot?,” p. 8
  • Big Read-Aloud: “A Creature in the Dark,” p. 10
  • Fiction: “Aunt Eater Sees a Monster,” p. 24
  • Poetry: “We Call Our Teacher Mister E.,” p. 32

Through the above genres, students will discuss:

  • What are the parts of a mystery?
  • How are all mysteries alike? How can they be different?
  • Do I like reading this kind of story? Why or why not?

1. IMPLEMENTATION SUGGESTIONS

Read-Aloud

  • Storyworks 1 provides a variety of text levels and types. As a read-aloud, the fiction story will develop children’s listening and comprehension skills. Check comprehension as you read by using the “Pause and Think” prompts.

Technology Time

Online Read-Aloud

  • Click the Read-Aloud button at the top of the digital issue to hear the story read aloud by a professional voice actor! This online resource promotes fluency and increases comprehension.

1. BEFORE READING

Show a Video (10 minutes)

  • Tell children that they are going to watch a video about mysteries. (This video also goes with other stories in the issue). As they watch, ask them to think about the essential question: “What is a mystery?”
  • After watching, ask the question again. Write students’ ideas on chart paper.

Preview the Title and Set a Purpose for Reading (5-10 minutes)

  • Now tell students they are going to read a mystery story. It is about an anteater detective, named Aunt Eater. Lead them to see that the words ant and aunt sound the same but mean different things.
  • Open your magazines to “Aunt Eater Sees a Monster.” Point out the Read and Think prompt and remind children to think about the mystery and how Aunt Eater solves it.

2. READ THE STORY (10-20 MINUTES)

  • Read the story aloud. Check comprehension as you read together with the Pause and Think questions. You may want to have children turn and talk to a partner to discuss.

3. AFTER READING: FOCUS ON SKILLS

SEL Focus: Key details (10 minutes)

  • Using the Mystery Solved! skills page, children can use what they know about story elements and mysteries.

Writing Focus: Presenting Knowledge (20 minutes)

  • Explore elements of the mystery genre and engage children with the Make a Detective Badge activity. (This page also goes with other stories in the issue.)

ELA Focus: Key details (10 minutes)

  • The skills page Unlock the Mystery lets children show what they know about mysteries and key details of the story.

AUTHOR/ILLUSTRATOR CONNECTION

Draw Aunt Eater Step-by-Step

  • This story is from the classic Aunt Eater mystery series by Doug Cushman. Doug is the award- winning author and illustrator of more than 130 books for children, including the Dirk Bones mystery series for beginning readers.
  • Go online for a slideshow in which Doug shows children how to draw Aunt Eater step-by-step.
  • Visit Doug Cushman’s website at: doug-cushman.com

Text-to-Speech