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Miss Alaineus: A Vocabulary Disaster
Sage has misheard and misunderstood one of Mrs. Page's weekly vocabulary words. Her error leads to a humbling a momentous tragedy, in front of the entire class. Can Sage turn her vocabulary an event bringing great misfortune, into a a true success?
Anyone who has ever been discouraged or disheartened, by a mere word in the dictionary will cheer in a manner lacking all restraint, as Sage transforms embarrassment into victory in Debra Frasier's touching story of loving--and mistaking--our glorious language.
Anyone who has ever been discouraged or disheartened, by a mere word in the dictionary will cheer in a manner lacking all restraint, as Sage transforms embarrassment into victory in Debra Frasier's touching story of loving--and mistaking--our glorious language.
34 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2000
7 people are currently reading
314 people want to read
About the author
Debra Frasier
19 books25 followersDebra Frasier is the author and illustrator of many award-winning picture books including On the Day You Were Born and Miss Alaineus, A Vocabulary Disaster. In addition to her well-known talks on creative process, Debra’s innovative "Book Events" build a community’s creativity through projects that start with a story. Visit debrafrasier.com to see how a parade of words can make you laugh, how the alphabet can transform a school carnival into a Word Event, or how a talking dog can make your heart swell and teach first-person writing at the same time!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 108 reviews
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September 16, 2018Summary -- Sage is sick on spelling word review day. When Sage comes back to school her teacher decides to host a classroom spelling bee. Sage gets a turn in the spelling bee, and her teacher gives her the word miscellaneous. Sage mistakes her teacher for saying miscellaneous for Miss Alaineus. She misspells it and the whole class laughs; Sage does too and she realizes what she did and what her misconception was.
Evaluation -- After reading this with my students I could tell they were a little confused by the story. I think it would help to stop and talk about the story as students read. This would make the story more enjoyable, and I think students would get more out of it.
Teaching Point -- For this story, I would incorporate a vocabulary lesson. I would have predetermined vocabulary like miscellaneous, daunted, triumph, disaster, etc. for students to pick out and think about while I read the story aloud. This would be a good lesson for either fourth or fifth grade because they would have more background and personal experiences they could tie into these vocabulary words. This would also be a great way of showing that everyone makes mistakes and we can help each other to fix these mistakes or misconceptions.
Evaluation -- After reading this with my students I could tell they were a little confused by the story. I think it would help to stop and talk about the story as students read. This would make the story more enjoyable, and I think students would get more out of it.
Teaching Point -- For this story, I would incorporate a vocabulary lesson. I would have predetermined vocabulary like miscellaneous, daunted, triumph, disaster, etc. for students to pick out and think about while I read the story aloud. This would be a good lesson for either fourth or fifth grade because they would have more background and personal experiences they could tie into these vocabulary words. This would also be a great way of showing that everyone makes mistakes and we can help each other to fix these mistakes or misconceptions.
February 14, 2011
Set in a classroom where the teacher emphasizes vocabulary. A misunderstanding of one of the weekly vocabulary words by a girl out sick turns into a learning and growing opportunity. An example of how to "take lemons and make them into lemonade." Also a neat demonstration of a vocabulary parade.
October 30, 2017
Summary:
Sage is sick on spelling day. Her teacher gives out students a new spelling words, and Sage mistakes her teacher for saying Miss Alaineus instead of saying miscellaneous. She is able to determine the meaning of these spelling words, except the one she misunderstands, miscellaneous. When she gets to this word she think it is the name of a teacher. It does not help that Sage is sick on the days the whole class reviews the spelling words. When Sage comes back to school her teacher decides to host a classroom spelling bee. Sage gets a turn in the spelling bee, and her teacher gives her the word miscellaneous. She misspells it and the whole class laughs; Sage does too and she realizes what she did and what her misconception was.
Evaluation:
I gave this particular story 4 stars. I did not give it the full 5 stars because at times throughout the story it was hard to understand and follow. This story had great illustrations that were aligned with the story, and I was able to enjoy it.
Teaching Tip:
For this story, I would use it as a vocabulary lesson during reading and writing time. I would have predetermined vocabulary like miscellaneous, daunted, triumph, disaster, etc. for students to pick out and think about while I read the story aloud. This would be a good lesson for either fourth or fifth grade because they would have more background and personal experiences they could tie into these vocabulary words. This would also be a great way of showing that everyone makes mistakes and we can help each other to fix these mistakes or misconceptions.
Sage is sick on spelling day. Her teacher gives out students a new spelling words, and Sage mistakes her teacher for saying Miss Alaineus instead of saying miscellaneous. She is able to determine the meaning of these spelling words, except the one she misunderstands, miscellaneous. When she gets to this word she think it is the name of a teacher. It does not help that Sage is sick on the days the whole class reviews the spelling words. When Sage comes back to school her teacher decides to host a classroom spelling bee. Sage gets a turn in the spelling bee, and her teacher gives her the word miscellaneous. She misspells it and the whole class laughs; Sage does too and she realizes what she did and what her misconception was.
Evaluation:
I gave this particular story 4 stars. I did not give it the full 5 stars because at times throughout the story it was hard to understand and follow. This story had great illustrations that were aligned with the story, and I was able to enjoy it.
Teaching Tip:
For this story, I would use it as a vocabulary lesson during reading and writing time. I would have predetermined vocabulary like miscellaneous, daunted, triumph, disaster, etc. for students to pick out and think about while I read the story aloud. This would be a good lesson for either fourth or fifth grade because they would have more background and personal experiences they could tie into these vocabulary words. This would also be a great way of showing that everyone makes mistakes and we can help each other to fix these mistakes or misconceptions.
October 24, 2017
Summary: This is a book about a little girl who loves school and vocabulary. One day she gets sick and has to miss the introduction of her new vocabulary words. She phones a friend to get the words and definitions for the week but her friend has to hang up before she can tell her the last spelling and definition of a word. She develops her own ideas of the word through her experiences and when she goes to present to her class, she realizes that she was wrong in the meaning of the word, Miss Alaineus, and rather the word was miscellaneous.
Evaluation: I really enjoyed this book! It is very descriptive and the illustrations are wonderful as well. I would definitely use this book in my future classroom no matter the age of my students (K-5). I do think this book could be a challenge for some students to read on their own as the pages are long and some words are pretty difficult.
Teaching: I will use this book in the future in an ELA classroom. I would use it as an interactive read aloud by reading it with students and stopping to collaborate with students about vocabulary. I think this would be a great way to help show the importance of vocabulary and how words can have different meanings. This makes this book a great one to read when learning about homophones as well!
Evaluation: I really enjoyed this book! It is very descriptive and the illustrations are wonderful as well. I would definitely use this book in my future classroom no matter the age of my students (K-5). I do think this book could be a challenge for some students to read on their own as the pages are long and some words are pretty difficult.
Teaching: I will use this book in the future in an ELA classroom. I would use it as an interactive read aloud by reading it with students and stopping to collaborate with students about vocabulary. I think this would be a great way to help show the importance of vocabulary and how words can have different meanings. This makes this book a great one to read when learning about homophones as well!
September 19, 2017
This story is a common scenario kids can relate to: they think they figure out the meaning of an unknown word, only to be embarrassed when they use the word the wrong way in public. Though the protagonist in this story is teased for her mistake, she figures out a way to use it to her advantage.
This book has a lot going on: the actual story-telling text is filled with dictionary-like definitions. Along the side of each page, a sentence is written that adds to the storyline; each of these sentences has three words starting with the same letter and the sentences go in alphabetical order. Additionally, the story takes place as a school prepares for a "vocabulary parade", and kids will enjoy the end illustrations showing lots of vocabulary costumes. Despite the busyness of the book, it comes together to tell a cute story. Great fodder for teachers looking for ways to jazz up vocabulary assignments.
This book has a lot going on: the actual story-telling text is filled with dictionary-like definitions. Along the side of each page, a sentence is written that adds to the storyline; each of these sentences has three words starting with the same letter and the sentences go in alphabetical order. Additionally, the story takes place as a school prepares for a "vocabulary parade", and kids will enjoy the end illustrations showing lots of vocabulary costumes. Despite the busyness of the book, it comes together to tell a cute story. Great fodder for teachers looking for ways to jazz up vocabulary assignments.
November 7, 2017
Summary: Miss Alaineus tells the entertaining story of a young student who tries to define every word she hears. But when it comes to the word “miscellaneous”, even her best efforts result in the wrong, laughable definition.
Evaluation: This book was so fun to read!. Even though there are some complicated words used, with the right vocal inflection, this text can be used in even a younger grade teach new vocabulary.
Teaching Idea: Using this book to go over old and new vocabulary, teachers can read the book and then have their students pick out different words to use in a journal entry. Once this is done, students can come to school dressed like their favorite word just like they did in the book.
Evaluation: This book was so fun to read!. Even though there are some complicated words used, with the right vocal inflection, this text can be used in even a younger grade teach new vocabulary.
Teaching Idea: Using this book to go over old and new vocabulary, teachers can read the book and then have their students pick out different words to use in a journal entry. Once this is done, students can come to school dressed like their favorite word just like they did in the book.
November 27, 2017
This story gives a true perspective of learning vocabulary. This little girl misses one day of class because she is sick and she has to catch up with vocabulary. She misspells the last word and gives it its own meaning while the class laughs at her. She wins best costume for the word "Miss Alaineus".
I enjoyed this book because it is relevant to students learning new words and their meanings. It shows the importance of spelling words and getting the correct meaning.
I would use this book to discuss words that students did not understand. We would put them on an anchor chart and define them. Students would then use the word in proper context to show their understanding and share with the class their word in context to see if they could understand the meaning.
I enjoyed this book because it is relevant to students learning new words and their meanings. It shows the importance of spelling words and getting the correct meaning.
I would use this book to discuss words that students did not understand. We would put them on an anchor chart and define them. Students would then use the word in proper context to show their understanding and share with the class their word in context to see if they could understand the meaning.
October 29, 2017
Summary: Sage loves vocabulary. However, there is one word she doesn't understand. The word is miscellaneous. She thinks this is a person. When she embarrassed herself in front of the whole class, she turns embarrassment into victory.
Evaluation: I liked this book a lot!! I think this book is a great way for kids to see that it is okay to make mistakes and not everyone knows everything. She is great and loves vocab, but gets confused on a word. She learns from it.
Teaching Idea: I would use this book to teach about vocabulary. I would have all my students choose a word and focus on it during the week. At the end of the week everyone would dress up as their word just like in the book!
Evaluation: I liked this book a lot!! I think this book is a great way for kids to see that it is okay to make mistakes and not everyone knows everything. She is great and loves vocab, but gets confused on a word. She learns from it.
Teaching Idea: I would use this book to teach about vocabulary. I would have all my students choose a word and focus on it during the week. At the end of the week everyone would dress up as their word just like in the book!
February 9, 2018
Miss Alaineus is a word filled book recommended for anyone who is attracted to hard words. Although you may find yourself stumbling over words, it's a great way to teach yourself, and others. Even though would have appreciated a little more to this book, i must admit that I enjoyed it. The way the authors illustrations were drawn, the texture of the colors, but the way the authors words described the the drawings, and the setting amazed me. The book describes a little girl that had unfortunately wiggled her way into a word catastrophe, but eventually escaped it by using an astounding amount of courage. I hope anyone who reads this book enjoys it!
March 8, 2020
A fun story about what happens when you get sick on Vocabulary Day but decide it's okay because you already know most of the words. Also what happens when you extrapolate from context and don't check yourself in a dictionary before defining a word in front of the class. And finally, what happens when you decide to take that embarrassing mistake and turn it into a victory that everyone can cheer for!
One thing to note: the format is a picture book, but the vocabulary is definitely geared more to an upper-elementary level. Although I did have fun with the way Sage threw random definitions into her narration at unexpected times. ;)
3.5 stars
One thing to note: the format is a picture book, but the vocabulary is definitely geared more to an upper-elementary level. Although I did have fun with the way Sage threw random definitions into her narration at unexpected times. ;)
3.5 stars
January 17, 2023
Kids will relate well to this book, as it relates to Vocabulary day at School.
I loved the story, and I loved how along the sides of the pages , a sentence was used to add to the story. 3 words starting with the same letter were used and all the sentences were in alphabetical order. I would love to know how difficult that might have been to incorporate.
One girl misses school because she is sick on vocabulary day, so she has to catch up. She returns to school feeling better and gets embarrassed when she misspells the last word and gives it a funny definition. Her mom helps to turn her embarrassment into a victory by creating a fun costume for the vocabulary parade.
I loved the story, and I loved how along the sides of the pages , a sentence was used to add to the story. 3 words starting with the same letter were used and all the sentences were in alphabetical order. I would love to know how difficult that might have been to incorporate.
One girl misses school because she is sick on vocabulary day, so she has to catch up. She returns to school feeling better and gets embarrassed when she misspells the last word and gives it a funny definition. Her mom helps to turn her embarrassment into a victory by creating a fun costume for the vocabulary parade.
October 24, 2019
The story follows a girl that has a sick day and misses the new spelling list, she gets the list from a friend and misunderstands the last word which causes problems for her when she returns to school with the wrong definition. I chose this book because it has many new vocabulary words through out the book and this can expose students to these new words. The genre is fiction. I could see this being used in a 4th or 5th grade classroom. The way I would use it in a reading classroom is I would have the students find the definition for the words around the boarder of each page.
June 13, 2019
This is hilarious, and I can totally see using it as a spring board to a vocabulary word parade.
A student stays home from school because she is sick and has to get vocabulary words from a friend. Her friend was not able to spell out the last word, miscellaneous, and the girl thought it was Miss Alaineus. She spent time trying to figure out who Miss Alaineus is, and why people have to buy things for her and store them in a drawer. Great humor. Definitely one I want to share with my class.
A student stays home from school because she is sick and has to get vocabulary words from a friend. Her friend was not able to spell out the last word, miscellaneous, and the girl thought it was Miss Alaineus. She spent time trying to figure out who Miss Alaineus is, and why people have to buy things for her and store them in a drawer. Great humor. Definitely one I want to share with my class.
September 12, 2018
When Page misspells the word "miscellaneous", she becomes the joke of the school. But eventually Page is able to turn things around and "find gold in her mistake" when she owns that mistake and wins the gold trophy at her school's annual vocabulary parade.
This is a hilarious book that has a worthwhile message for readers and they will learn quite a few new terms while reading!
This is a hilarious book that has a worthwhile message for readers and they will learn quite a few new terms while reading!
October 29, 2021
THIS BOOK WAS GREAT! Loved the vocab thrown in, the witty humor, the alliteration-type sentences at the bottom of every page, and how the author incorporated so many elements into one story and it was amazing!
December 29, 2017
Fun “play on words”.
March 5, 2018
This book would pair well with a dictionary lesson.
June 5, 2018
This book almost got 5 stars, but it was so incredibly wordy for a picture book!
It's a great story and introduces many wonderful words. Loved it!
It's a great story and introduces many wonderful words. Loved it!
October 7, 2018
Good as a lesson but only okay as a story book
December 23, 2018
Great for vocabulary motivation.
February 6, 2019
Fun with words!
July 25, 2019
elementary age students
cute story using words in different ways
cute story using words in different ways
November 20, 2019
Such a fun story and so much word play! Can my school do a vocabulary parade, puh-lease!
November 19, 2020
Found this on my shelf today...it made me think of the “old days” in school.
February 7, 2021
It's fun to think about words. This would be good for upper elementary
June 13, 2022
Great read for beginning of the school year. Vocabulary, life lesson, laugh at yourself, perseverance.
June 20, 2022
I've just found a new favorite book to love! It was absolutely charming, while educational in the linguists field.
January 31, 2023
amazing that kids are getting dumber while children’s books are becoming more and more clever.
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September 28, 2023I can’t believe I hadn’t read this one to my kids yet! It’s a fun one. I officially want to host a vocabulary parade now as a fun alternative Halloween party. ☺️☺️☺️
Displaying 1 - 30 of 108 reviews