Winter According to Humphrey

Winter According to Humphrey Novel Study Name: 1

Before Reading: Predict: Look at the cover and read some of the chapter titles. Make a prediction of what you believe this book is about. After Chapter 1: What a Lark Narrative Elements: Complete the narrative elements. Characters: Setting: 2

Point of View: Which point of view is the story written? a) First person b) Third person Which words or phrases helped you determine the point of view? Who is narrating the story? Mood: What is Humphrey's mood at the start of the story? a) joyful b) anger c) gloomy Analyze: "Hurry-Up-Harry" Why does Humphrey know Harry as Hurry-Up-Harry and not simply Harry? Explain. 3

Vocabulary - Synonyms and Antonyms: Write a synonym and an antonym for the underlined word. "She had a big smile on her face and she carried a stack of papers." Synonym of big: Antonym of big: Read for Details: Ms. Lark arrived to talk to the class. Who is Ms. Lark? a) the principal b) the music teacher c) Mrs. Brisbane's best friend Figurative Language: Write the type of figurative language used in the following Chapter 1 excerpt. hyperbole simile metaphor alliteration personification onomatopoeia "Sophie said she was sorry..." Infer: How did Ms. Lark react when she found out about Humphrey? 4

Vocabulary: "It is hard for a small, excitable creature like me not to squeak up when I hear something wonderful..." What does the word excitable most likely mean? a) liable to get angry in a short period of time b) liable to become quickly energized c) liable to slow down ones thought and think deeply into the situation Analyze: Analyze and explain the following excerpt: "Thomas sometimes stretches the truth a little." After Chapter 2: Singing Snowflakes Reflect: Mrs. Brisbane asked Holly if she was feeling alright. Why was Holly tired and not acting like her normal self? 5

Analyze: Which of the snowflake facts did you find the most interesting? Parts of Speech: "The hill was bumpy, so we bounced all the way down." Which part of speech is bumpy as used above? a) adjective b) noun c) verb Reread to Clarify: Why was Holly making gifts for everyone in the class? Read for Details: "'Greetings, Aldo!'" Who is Aldo? a) Mrs. Brisbane's substitute b) Og's caretaker c) the school janitor 6

Vocabulary - Context Clues: Define the vocab. words using context clues and/or a dictionary. "...because I can't shimmy up such a tall, smooth leg." shimmy - "Aldo admires Mrs. Brisbane." admire - What is one person or thing that you admire? Why? After Chapter 3: Jingle Jangle Vocabulary - Synonyms and Antonyms: Write a synonym and an antonym for the underlined word. "It's a happy song and I loved it so much..." Synonym of happy: Antonym of happy: 7

Read for Details: "Bells on bobtail ring, making spirits bright..." What does bobtail mean? Vocabulary - Prefix: "After all, unlike humans, I already have a tail." Underline the base word and circle the prefix in: What does the prefix mean? In which word does the prefix 'un-' mean the same as it does in 'unlike': a) uniform b) underwear c) unfold Read for Details: The boys and girls were going to be dressed in costumes during Ms. Lark's snowflake song. What are each group going to be dressed as? Boys: Girls: 8

Reflect: What did Paul say was wrong with Ms. Lark's song? After Chapter 4: Sour Notes Infer: "I was on pins and needles until Friday, waiting for Ms. Lark to come back." Based on the excerpt, how is Humphrey feeling? Cause and Effect: Fill in the cause. Cause: Effect: Ms. Lark stopped playing the keyboard. Once the children noticed Ms. Lark stopped playing, they stopped singing. 9

Reread to Clarify: Why did Ms. Lark ask Joey to stop singing? a) Joey was singing too loudly. b) Joey was singing in a foreign language. c) Joey was singing off-key. Reread to Clarify: "I want everything to be perfect." Why is Ms. Lark worried about the show? Reflect: What did Humphrey mean when he said, "I wouldn't want to be like Ms. Lark."? a) Humphrey does not like her attitude. b) Humphrey would not want to hurt anyone's feelings. c) Humphrey does not want to be human. Connect: If you were to give Og a gift, what would it be? Why? 10

After Chapter 5: Presents-Presents- Presents Character Traits: Identify and describe one character trait of Holly. Cite evidence from Chapter 5 to support your chosen character trait. Figurative Language: Write the type of figurative language used in the following Chapter 5 excerpt. hyperbole simile metaphor alliteration personification onomatopoeia "Rolling-Rosie Rodriguez got annoyed..." 11

After Chapter 6: A Sweet Idea Reflect: Humphrey found Holly's list of presents. What present was listed for Humphrey? Vocabulary: "Holly went to sleep right away. She must have been exhausted from working so hard." What does the word exhausted most likely mean? a) to feel overly excited and ready to work b) to feel very tired or weak c) to use up all the resources contained within something Reflect: Holly's parents told her she will not be making presents for everyone in her class. She can make one present for the whole class. What did Holly choose to make for the entire class? Vocabulary - Synonyms and Antonyms: Write a synonym and an antonym for the underlined word. "...but Holly's writing was neat and I could make out the names." Synonym of neat: Antonym of neat: 12

After Chapter 7: In a Spin Read for Details: List three holidays mentioned by the students in Chapter 7. 1) 2) 3) Connect: In Chapter 7, the students took turns telling the class their favorite things about the holidays. What is your favorite thing about the holiday season? Why? 13

Reflect: Why does Humphrey believe Og does not remember his mother? Vocabulary - Context Clues: Define the vocab. words using context clues and/or a dictionary. "...I have to be careful not to break anything, especially the baby in the manger." manger - "This time, I didn't think Thomas was exaggerating at all." exaggerating - Reflect: Humphrey talks to his bud Og quite a bit. do you think Og understands Humphrey? Explain your thinking. 14

After Chapter 8: Sad Lad, Glad Dad Reread to Clarify: How does Joey feel about the upcoming Winter Wonderland show? Why? Create Mental Images: Good readers form images in their minds as they read. Draw the image you created in your mind of the following excerpt: "Aldo looked at us and smiled a big smile that made his furry mustache look like a half-moon on its side." 15

Reflect: Why was this Christmas a special one for Aldo? a) He is going to get a raise. b) He is going on vacation for the holiday. c) He is going to be a father. Vocabulary - Prefix: "A giant hand reached in the cage and removed my water bottle." Underline the base word and circle the prefix in: What does the prefix mean? In which word does the prefix 're-' mean the same as it does in 'removed': a) rescue b) rename c) referee Reflect: The author titled Chapter 8 "Sad Lad, Glad Dad." Why is this a good title for Chapter 8? Explain your answer. 16

Vocabulary - Context Clues: Define the vocab. words using context clues and/or a dictionary. "He kept his mouth firmly closed." firmly - Antonym of firmly: After Chapter 9: More Sour Notes Cause and Effect: Fill in the cause. Cause: Effect: The girls started laughing. Daniel turned red looked panicky. Ms. Lark asked Daniel to stop. Reflect: Why did Daniel have trouble playing the song? a) He had not practiced at home. b) He did not have trouble, it was the singers. c) He couldn't play on the keyboard. 17

Vocabulary - Synonyms and Antonyms: Write a synonym and an antonym for the underlined word. "He looked so miserable, the girls stopped giggling." Synonym of miserable: Antonym of miserable: Reflect: List two reasons Mrs. Wright banned glitter from the Winter Wonderland program. 1) _ 2) _ Read for Details: Daniel and his grandfather took Humphrey home for the weekend. Who took Og home for the weekend? a) Holly b) Aldo c) Mrs. Brisbane d) Ms. Lark Analyze: "He said 'later' a lot." Instead of doing what he needs to get done, Daniel says he will do it later. Daniel is a. a) procrastinator b) activator c) immediate worker 18

After Chapter 10: Practice Makes Perfect Analyze: Analyze and explain the following excerpt: "I glanced over at Daniel and could see that his mind was miles away." Reread to Clarify: Why does Daniel not enjoy practicing the piano? Vocabulary: "Daniel grumbled under his breath, but he found the music and set it on the piano, right by my cage." What does the word grumble most likely mean? a) to joyful cheer about a success b) to cough or choke with not a lot of noise c) to complain or mutter in a unhappy way 19

Vocabulary - Prefix: "...the pie and the mess magically disappear." Underline the base word and circle the prefix in What does the circled prefix mean? In which word does the prefix dis- mean the same as it does in disappear? a. distance b. dishonest c. disaster Vocabulary - Context Clues: Define the vocab. words using context clues and/or a dictionary. "I could be on the streets of a big, bustling city." bustling - Predict: "And there I was. No Lulu, no humans, just me and the piano." What do you predict will happen next? 20

After Chapter 11: The Keys to Success Cause and Effect: Fill in the cause. Cause: Effect: Daniel caught Humphrey out of his cage. Figurative Language: Write the type of figurative language used in the following Chapter 11 excerpt. hyperbole simile metaphor alliteration personification onomatopoeia "CLANK-CLINK-CLUNK! CLUNKETY-CLINK-CLINK!" Analyze: Analyze and explain the following excerpt: "Those words were music to my ears." 21

Parts of Speech: "That night, I rested quietly in my cage in Daniel's room." Which part of speech is quietly as used above? a) adverb b) conjunction c) verb Reflect: Why did Humphrey not play 'Jingle Bells' when Daniel put him back on the piano keys? Vocabulary - Context Clues: Define the vocab. words using context clues and/or a dictionary. "'It sounded like 'Jingle Bells,' but I'm sure it was a fluke...'" fluke - "...there was a lot of talking and commotion as coats and hats were hung up..." commotion - 22

After Chapter 12: Keep Calm and Focus Summarize: Summarize Chapter 12. Be sure to include the central (main) idea of the chapter. 23

Figurative Language: Write the type of figurative language used in the following Chapter 12 excerpt. hyperbole simile metaphor alliteration personification onomatopoeia "...Slow-Down-Simon took a wrong turn and the line of boys toppled like a row of falling dominoes!" Vocabulary - Context Clues: Define the vocab. words using context clues and/or a dictionary. "Meanwhile, the boys pranced like frisky horses..." frisky - Synonym of frisky: Connect: Would you consider the dress rehearsal a success? Cite evidence to support your answer. 24

After Chapter 13: Helping Hands Create Mental Images: Good readers form images in their minds as they read. Draw the image you created in your mind of Holly's present to the class. Cause and Effect: Fill in the effect. Cause: The students leaned in to look at the gingerbread man in the gingerbread house. Effect: 25

Vocabulary: "All my classmates were eager to find out what was in the box." What does the word eager most likely mean? a) enthusiastic and excited about something b) enthusiastic and excited but not willing to do something c) unwilling to help and undecided whether or not to help Figurative Language: Write the type of figurative language used in the following Chapter 13 excerpt. hyperbole simile metaphor alliteration personification onomatopoeia "'We'll have to wait forever for Harry!'" Infer: Describe Holly's reaction when she saw the rebuilt gingerbread house. 26

Vocabulary - Synonyms and Antonyms: Write a synonym and an antonym for the underlined word. "'...we wouldn't want anything to ruin this beautiful house...'" Synonym of beautiful: Antonym of beautiful: Mood: Using one word, what is the mood at the conclusion of the chapter? After Chapter 14: The Prefect Present Reflect: Why did Mrs. Brisbane freeze black paper? Parts of Speech: "I was resting comfortably in my cage when I heard Aldo approaching." Which part of speech is comfortably as used above? a) adverb b) preposition c) adjective 27

Reflect: What present did Humphrey give Og for the holidays? How did Og receive the present Humphrey made him? Figurative Language: Write the type of figurative language used in the following Chapter 14 excerpt. hyperbole simile metaphor alliteration personification onomatopoeia "'There were about a million broken snowflakes...'" Vocabulary: "While I looked longingly at my beloved Nutri-Nibbles, Mighty Mealworms, Veggie Dots, and Hamster Chew-Chews, I passed right by." What does the word longingly most likely mean? a) a strong desire for something not within reach b) a mixed feeling of happiness and sadness over something in the past c) thinking deeply about something in a sad or serious manner 28

Analyze: What did Aldo mean when he said, "You've got glitter once, you've got it forever."? Vocabulary - Context Clues: Define the vocab. words using context clues and/or a dictionary. "My whiskers wilted as the sticks gave off a smell like stinky fish." wilted - Synonym of wilted: After Chapter 15: On with the Snow Mood: What is the mood at the start of Chapter 15? Why? Explain your answer. 29

Reflect: Who is taking Humphrey and Og home for the holidays? a) Ms. Lark b) Daniel c) Mrs. Brisbane Reread to Clarify: Daniel put Humphrey in his pocket. Why didn't he just take Humphrey in his cage? Cause and Effect: Fill in the effect. Cause: Humphrey pulled himself higher out of Daniel's pocket to get a better look. Effect: Reflect: What did Ms. Lark do when she saw Humphrey running on the floor? 30

Connect/Reflect: Would you consider the Winter Wonderland show a success? Why or why not? Vocabulary - Context Clues: Define the vocab. words using context clues and/or a dictionary. "I was jittery enough as it was, but that shrill blast almost made my jump out of my fur coat!" jittery - After Chapter 16: Decking the Halls Narrative Element: What is the new setting introduced in Chapter 16? Be descriptive! Setting 31

Figurative Language: Write the type of figurative language used in the following Chapter 16 excerpt. hyperbole simile metaphor alliteration personification onomatopoeia "Thank goodness, Og was as quiet as a mouse." Reflect: "'It could have been. It might have been. It must have been Santa!'" List three reasons Humphrey believes Santa came to the house. 1) _ 2) _ 3) _ Read for Details: What did Mrs. Brisbane give Humphrey and Og for the holidays? Humphrey: Og: 32

Analyze: What did Humphrey mean when he said about Ms. Lark, "I have won her over"? Mood: What is the mood at the conclusion of the story? a) cheerless b) miserable c) joyful After Finishing the Story: Connect: If you were able to take Humphrey home for a weekend, what would you do with Humphrey? Do you think Humphrey would enjoy his weekend with you? Explain your reasoning. 33

Character Traits: Identify and describe one character trait of Humphrey. Use two pieces of evidence from the text to support your answer. Circle your character trait and underline your evidence from the story. 34

Sequence of Events: Put the following events in chronological order using the numbers 1 through 11. The class has a dress rehearsal. The class performs the program with a few problems. Humphrey and Og spend the holidays at Mrs. Brisbane's house. Aldo tells Humphrey and Og he is going to be a father. Humphrey goes to Daniel's house. Ultimately, Humphrey helps Daniel believe he can play the piano. Holly brings the gingerbread house in. It falls and breaks. The class repairs the gingerbread house. Holly is thrilled. Humphrey makes a gift for Og. Aldo feeds Og the gift. Ms. Lark came to Room 26 to announce the Winter Wonderland program. The students are excited. Paul says Ms. Lark's song is not correct. Ms. Lark tells Joey to not sing so loud. Humphrey creates a stir during the Winter Wonderland program. The crowd loved the program. Holly decides to make a gingerbread house for the entire class. Holly tells Mrs. Brisbane she is going to make a gift for everyone in the class. The class signs some of the songs. 35

Author s Purpose: What was the author s purpose for writing Winter According to Humphrey? a. To persuade b. To inform c. To entertain Betty G. Birney Rating: How many stars would you rate this book? 1 being terrible and 5 being awesome. Be sure to color or shade your rating! Theme: What is the theme of Winter According to Humphrey? Cite evidence from the story to support your answer. 36

Winter According to Humphrey Word Jumble Hidden Message: 37

Winter According to Humphrey Word Search W S P F S F R I E N D S L R V O Y A U I N K E G U M X E K S N A G Y E N O D H S S H L T E D D E R N P A W L A E T N P S E I A R A O Z A F A M E F L P R L N E B D R E R L S S L I Y L O T M S K F S C E A E T P G A H N O I Q A R R I B K P E Y N M Y V R L L P O E T A E B R D C Z K B G X Y L G H C O S P R O O M S H N G B B N M A O M O I C Z R D N R E T N I W R T U C J S M I Y E R H P M U H P F J J O J M H N O F G L N E Y D E C O R A T I O N S W W N Y DECORATIONS FRIENDS FROG GIFTS HAMSTER HAPPY HOLIDAYS HUMPHREY JINGLE BELLS MERRY MRS. BRISBANE MS. LARK PAGEANT PRACTICE PRESENTS REHEARSAL ROOM SNOWFLAKES WINTER WONDERLAND 38