We call our teacher Mister E.
His last name is a mystery.
It’s secret, but we don’t know why.
We think that maybe he’s a spy.
Now, someday, that last name of his
may tell us who he really is.
Until then, there will always be
the mystery of Mister E.
Art by Kenneth Anderson
We Call Our Teacher Mister E.
Enjoy this poem about the mystery of Mister E.
By Kenn Nesbitt
From the October/November 2022 Issue
More About the Article
English Language Arts Focus
Craft and structure
Phonics
Step-by-Step Lesson Plan
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?
Essential Question
IMPLEMENTATION SUGGESTION
Shared Reading
- After you introduce and explore the meaning of the poem, use it as a daily shared reading experience to build fluency and phonological awareness through rhyme.
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).
Preview Text Type and Illustration (5-10 minutes)
- Now tell students they will read a rhyming poem. Point out the features that many poems have: a title, lines, and rhyming words.
- Open your magazines to “We Call Our Teacher Mister E.” Read the first line with emphasis on the words Mister E. and mystery. Do children notice anything about how those words sound?
2. READ THE POEM (10-15 MINUTES)
- Read the poem to model fluency. You can also click the Read Aloud button at the top of the digital issue to hear it read by a voice actor!
- Discuss the meaning of the poem. What is the mystery or question about Mister E.? What do the kids in the poem think about their teacher? Are there any clues in the illustration that can help you guess who Mister E. is?
3. AFTER READING: FOCUS ON SKILLS
ELA Focus: Craft and Structure (10 minutes)
- The Mark Up the Poem! skills page allows children to engage with the elements of poetry.
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: Main Idea (10 minutes)
- The Show What You Know page reinforces key details and ideas from the poem.
Text-to-Speech