Trouble According to Humphrey (21 page)

Find these hidden words

Turn to
page 182
for the answer key!

A word ladder is a FUN-FUN-FUN puzzle that is said to have been invented by Lewis Carroll, author of
Alice in Wonderland.
The object of the game is to convert one word into another by changing one letter at a time, making a new word at each step. For example, here’s how to change a CAT into a DOG:

Now it’s time for you to try Humphrey’s Lock Ladder! Sometimes Humphrey likes to open his cage using the lock-that-doesn’t-lock and get to take a walk. Can you change a lock into a walk?

Note: There are a number of ways to solve this problem.

Turn to
page 182
for the answer key!

Art’s train cars are loaded up with phrases … but the words and syllables are out of order. Can you put the cars in the right order and find the hidden phrase in each row?

Turn to
page 182
for the answer key!

Can you help Humphrey find his way in and out of the tracks?

Turn to
page 183
for the answer key!

Jobs and Community

• In the story, the students of Room 26 build a model community called Humphreyville. Have you ever wondered where town names come from? Where did the name of your town come from? The name of your street? What do you think would be a better name for your street?

• If you were going to build a street from scratch, what would you name it? Why? What would it look like? Describe it in words or draw it.

• What is the tallest building in your community? What is the oldest building? What is the newest building? And finally, what is your favorite building in your community?

• Go through the local newspaper’s classified ads and see what kinds of jobs are available. Are there any jobs you think you’d like to do? Why?

• Try writing your own Help Wanted ad. Write one for the job of a classroom hamster. Describe all of the jobs Humphrey does in Room 26. Write an ad for your dream job. What are the qualifications for a job you think you’d like?

• Ask your parents, grandparents, and other friends and relatives what was the best job they ever had. What was the worst job they ever had? Why did they like or not like their job?

Art and Paul

• Art is really good at imagining things such as his dream house and the railroad tracks in his bedroom. Paul is really good at understanding numbers and math. How did Paul’s math skills help Art solve a problem, and how could Art’s creativity help Paul?

• Not everybody likes the same subject. Take a poll of your classmates and/or friends and find out each person’s favorite subject. Then make a class graph with each student’s most favorite and least favorite subjects. Ask people why they feel the way they do about their most favorite and least favorite subjects.

• Did you ever try something and think you weren’t good at it the first time but later became good at it? What made the difference?

• Draw a track for a model train layout. Could a train really follow this track? Add other features: a waterfall, a lake, tunnels, a town. Can you turn your drawing into a board game? How would you do that?

The Paynes

• Mandy Payne’s family is upset because her dad lost his job and her mom has to work a lot. What are some of the things that make each of the Paynes cranky? What are some things that make your family members cranky? What do you do to cheer them up? What do you do to cheer yourself up?

Miranda’s Problem

• Humphrey didn’t squeak up to clear Miranda’s name right away because he was afraid his lock would be locked for good (and because he can’t talk). Have you ever felt guilty about someone else taking the blame that belonged to you (or felt afraid to admit to something that was your fault)? How did that work out?

• Have you ever been accused of something you didn’t do? How did you feel? How did the problem work out?

• Was Mrs. Brisbane wrong to accuse Miranda of leaving the cage door open?

• How well do you think Miranda handled the problem? Is there anything else she could have done?

Dr. Drew

• Humphrey is nervous when he visits the veterinarian for the first time because he’s never been to a doctor before. Can you remember a time when you were nervous about going somewhere for the first time? How did it turn out?