Younger children will enjoy hearing the nursery rhyme read aloud, while first- and second-graders may want to read it themselves. Introduce the interesting vocabulary words in the rhyme. Most children will be unfamiliar with "tuffets" and "curds and whey." Discuss why these words were used in the rhyme instead of more common words. Mention that they rhyme well with the ending words in the other lines and that perhaps they were used more frequently when the rhyme was written. Have the children take turns acting out what happens while the rhyme is being read by an adult or another child.
Cut centers out of paper plates and have preschoolers paint or color the plates black. Glue eight strips of black paper around the edges for a fun spider hat. For older children, use the paper plates to make spider webs. Let the kids cut yarn into 25 or 30 pieces that are 4 to 5 inches long. Dip the pieces into glue and place them on the plates in the shape of a web. Use the kids' handprints or thumbprints to make other crafts. Press the child's thumb on an inkpad and then on a piece of white paper. Have the child draw legs on the spider and a web around it. Or create a larger spider by painting the palm and four fingers of both hands on each child; press one hand on a piece of paper with the fingers pointing to one side. Then overlap the other hand with the fingers pointing the other way. Glue on wiggle eyes when the paint is dry.
Discuss the differences between a child and a spider by comparing the number of legs and eyes, body sections, and skeleton. Then discuss the differences between a spider and an insect. Use pictures to show the differences and have older children label the different parts of the spider. If you have access to a kitchen, make curds and whey. Talk about measurements and have the children measure out 1 quart of milk and 6 tablespoons of lemon juice or vinegar into a large pot. Cook over low heat until the milk forms curds, or "curdles." Let the mixture cool. Then show the children what it looks like and allow them to taste it. Discuss which part of the mixture is a solid and which is a liquid.
Draw a simple maze that resembles a spider web with a spider on the edge and a fly in the middle. Have preschoolers help the spider find its way to the fly. Older children can create web mazes or make crossword puzzles or word finds with the words from the poem for each other. Attach two children together with a loosely tied rope and have them crawl together on their eight "legs" to promote cooperation and coordination. Draw Miss Muffet sitting on her tuffet on a large piece of paper. Create paper spiders with pieces of reusable tape on the backs. Have the children play "Pin the Spider Next to Miss Muffet" and see who can stick the spider closest to her.