1. The World According to Humphrey
Activities for Kindergarten and First Grade
By: Ginger Richmond

2. A Note to Teachers…
The following activities are meant to extend upon the text and are intended to provide a variety of collaborative and independent work. When writing, you may allow invented spelling or provide correct spelling. You may adapt any activity at will. Some of the activities require materials (i.e.-chart paper, handwriting paper, etc.), so you may want to skim over these beforehand.
Enjoy your time with Humphrey!

3. Hamster Drawing and Writing Activity – Part 1
Using handwriting paper, pencils, and crayons draw your own hamster while watching the “How To” video to the right.
Name your hamster. Write your hamster’s name on the paper.
Add labels to identify your hamster’s body parts.

4. Hamster Drawing and Writing Activity – Part 2
Watch the hamster fact video to the right.
The teacher will write some of these hamster facts on the board.
Students will copy 1-3 sentences on their paper using their best handwriting.

5. Make-believe is another way to say fake, not real, or fiction.
My Imaginary Hamster
Make-believe is another way to say fake, not real, or fiction.
Pretend that you have a hamster that has a special ability or power that real-life hamsters do not (for example, your hamster can play football). Using handwriting paper or white paper, write a sentence telling what special ability your hamster has. Draw an illustration with labels to match your writing. Do your best handwriting and coloring!

6. Science Link
Humphrey is a nocturnal animal. Watch the video to the right about other nocturnal animals. Work together to create a class poster using chart paper, bulletin board paper, or other materials to define and illustrate nocturnal. Use labels and short sentences. Display your poster for the class to enjoy!

7. Science and Social Studies Link
Ms. McNamara travels to Brazil to teach. Find Brazil using the online world map link here While in Brazil, she visits the rain forest. Watch a two-minute video entitled “FIVE: The Amazon Rain Forest” with facts by clicking the link below setGuid/3f92b0a aa-bb85-48a61e4ae2a7 Read a National Geographic Young Explorer text on rain forest by clicking below 09/readstory.html Work together to compile a list of facts using a web or cluster format.
Science and Social Studies Link

8. Humphrey Vocabulary
Act out the following vocabulary words from the book. Gives examples used in the text, used in other texts, and from real-life.
Nibble (p. 38)
Sway (p. 42)
Glared (p. 47)
Scatter (p. 56)
Scurry (p. 59)
Scowl (p. 106)

9. Hamster obstacle course
Hamster Fun After watching the videos below, use popsicle sticks, paper, blocks, or recycled materials to build a tiny hamster obstacle course in your classroom. At recess, pretend you are a hamster and complete an obstacle course outlined by your teacher.
Hamster obstacle course
Hamster on wheel

10. Garth’s Behavior
Garth has problems with bad behavior in the story. Discuss his behavior and why he acted this way. Discuss how you should respond when another child behaves like Garth.
Watch the video “How Full is Your Bucket?” to the right and discuss ways that we can fill or empty each other’s buckets.
Draw a picture of yourself doing something to fill someone else’s bucket. Add labels, a title, or simple sentences to explain your idea. Share your drawing/writing with the class.

11. Companionship
Companionship is another word for friendship. Pets can be companions for people. With your teacher’s permission, use stuffed animals (imaginary pets) as reading buddies either while listening to a story or reading independently.

12. Point of View Point of view means who is telling the story
Point of View Point of view means who is telling the story. Humphrey is telling this story, so it is being told from Humphrey’s point of view. Listen to the stories below and see if you can tell who’s telling the stories!
Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!
The True Story of the Three Little Pigs

13. Possible letter topics include:
Write a Letter to Another Class With your teacher’s help, work together to write one oversized friendly letter using chart paper. When you’re finished, deliver your letter to another class in your grade. Read the letter you received and see what other kids thought about Humphrey!
Possible letter topics include:
Favorite parts of the book
Lessons we can learn from Humphrey or other characters
What you’d like to see Humphrey or other characters do next

14. You can learn a lot about yourself by getting to know another species.
Humphrey
Define the word “need”. Work together to compare and contrast the needs of hamsters and people. Use a Venn Diagram and bulletin/chart paper, the SMARTboard, or dry erase board.

15. The End! I hope you’ve enjoyed your time with Humphrey.
For more on Humphrey, check out the rest of the series!

16. Resources Betty Birney Author Web Site Bing Discovery Education Google
National Geographic Young Explorer
YouTube