1. HUM
By: Naomi Shihab Nye
Theme and Point of View

2. Preparing to Read
Identify five text features seen throughout this story.
Identify and define the Literary Focus element of this text.
Identify and define the Reading Focus skill used in this text.
What is the Writing Focus assignment and what are you asked to look for as you read the beginning of the text?

3. Author Information Read the “Meet the Writer” section on page 354.
Make a list of at least three important facts you learn about each of the authors.
Circle the detail you think is the most important for each.

4. What are some reasons you might become friends with someone?
Quick Write
Friendship
What are some reasons you might become friends with someone?
What are some reasons why you might not want to be friends with someone?
What are some obstacles that could stand in the way of you forming a friendship with someone?

5. Vocabulary
For each of the words below, write a definition, create a sentence that demonstrates your understanding of the term, and construct an illustration that represents the term.
RECOURSE
SOLITUDE
COMMUNICATION
QUIZZICAL
CONCEPT

6. Build Background and Preview the Selection
Read the “Build Background” and “Preview the Selection” sections on page 354.
Make a list of at least three important facts you learn about each of the stories.
Circle a detail from each list that you think is the most important.

7. What are some adjective you could use to describe the picture above
What are some adjective you could use to describe the picture above? How might this picture help you connect to the story?

8. Read the text carefully and ponder the question below.
Literary Response
HUM
Read the text carefully and ponder the question below.
What aspects of your community reflect the heritage of the people who live in it?
Use this story as a means to examine the question below as it might relate to you personally.

9. Let’s Identify Theme… “Hum” Notes for Finding Theme…
Comments by Characters
Behavior of Characters
Major Events
Conflicts Characters Face
Settings
Important Words/Phrases
And the Theme is…

10. Preview and Predictions
Before Reading Skills
Preview and Predictions
Make a list of the things you “know” or “think you know” based only on the text features.
Make a list of at least 3 things you want to know, but you need to read in order to find out.
What genre or type of text do you think we are reading? Why?

11. During Reading Skills Setting Purposes What’s the Purpose?
Why are you reading this?
What will you learn from this text?
Why did the writer share this story?
What’s the Purpose?
Based on what you have previewed so far and learned about the author and the background of the stories, what are three purposes for reading this story.

12. Comprehension/Discussion Questions
Note all of the comprehension/discussion questions that appear at the bottom of most of the columns of the text.
Be sure to stop, read, and answer (to yourself) each question.

13. Stop and Think!!!
What conflicts do the characters in the story encounter?
How do the various characters deal with those conflicts? Do the conflicts get resolved?