Did They Really Read? printable reading check-ins
Cover of School according to Humphrey

School according to Humphrey Comprehension Questions & Reading Journal

By Betty G. Birney

School according to Humphrey has 15 chapters · 170 pages

Get the printable PDF Customise this journal

Free, no sign-up. Customise to reword questions or add your reader’s name.

Inside the journal: 15 chapter pages, one question each · 3 example answers · a cover for your reader’s name

Written for this book Questions about this story, good after any chapter.

Chapter 1 question
So far, what have you learned about Humphrey and the way he sees school? Use details from the chapter to explain his point of view.
See all 15 questions ↓

A printable reading journal for School according to Humphrey: one question per chapter, with example answers.

Buy the book on Amazon ↗ (affiliate link)

School according to Humphrey questions by chapter

We know the book, its characters, setting and story, but not what happens in each chapter. So every question is written for this book, and any of them works wherever your reader has just stopped. One question per chapter, across all 15 chapters, and every one is editable before you print. The example answers under 3 of the chapters are the ones printed at the front of the booklet.

  1. Chapter 1

    So far, what have you learned about Humphrey and the way he sees school? Use details from the chapter to explain his point of view.

  2. Chapter 2

    What problem or question seems most important to Humphrey in this chapter? How does he try to understand it?

  3. Chapter 3

    Choose one student, teacher, or classroom pet from this chapter. What do that character's words or actions show about their personality?

    Example answer: I would choose Humphrey because he pays close attention to everyone around him. His thoughts show that he is curious and wants to understand people, not just watch them. He also seems caring because he worries about what is happening in the classroom. This makes him feel like more than just a pet.

  4. Chapter 4

    What is one place in Longfellow School or Room 26 that seems important in this chapter? Describe it and explain why it matters.

  5. Chapter 5

    Humphrey often notices things that people miss. What is something he observes in this chapter, and why might it be important?

  6. Chapter 6

    Find a word or phrase from this chapter that stands out to you. What do you think it means, and how does it help you understand the story?

  7. Chapter 7

    How does this chapter show friendship, teamwork, or kindness? Give an example from what you read.

    Example answer: This chapter shows kindness because Humphrey notices when someone needs help or encouragement. I think the story is showing that small actions can make school better for everyone. Even though Humphrey is small, he can still care about his classmates. That makes the classroom feel like a community.

  8. Chapter 8

    What is one choice Humphrey makes in this chapter? Do you think it is a wise choice? Explain your opinion.

  9. Chapter 9

    What new information did you learn about school life, classroom routines, or the students in this chapter?

  10. Chapter 10

    How does the author make Humphrey's narration funny or interesting in this chapter? Use one detail from the text.

  11. Chapter 11

    What do you think Humphrey wants most by the end of this chapter? What clues make you think that?

  12. Chapter 12

    Describe a moment in this chapter when a character has a strong feeling. What caused that feeling, and how can you tell?

  13. Chapter 13

    What lesson might a reader learn from this chapter? Explain how Humphrey, Mrs. Brisbane, Og, or the students help show that lesson.

  14. Chapter 14

    Make a prediction about what might happen next. What details from this chapter support your prediction?

    Example answer: I predict that Humphrey will try to solve the problem in his own hamster way. He usually watches carefully before he acts, so I think he will use something he learned from the students or Mrs. Brisbane. My prediction is based on how he keeps noticing clues in the classroom. I am not sure it will go perfectly, but it will probably be interesting.

  15. Chapter 15

    After reading this chapter, what question would you ask Humphrey if you could talk to him? Why would you ask that?

Would you use a digital version of this journal? Would you like AI to review the answers?

Discussion questions for after School according to Humphrey

Bigger questions for when the book is finished, each printed on its own ruled page at the end of the booklet.

  1. Think about Humphrey from the beginning of the book to the end. How does his understanding of school, people, or friendship change? Use several examples from the story to explain what he learns and why it matters.
  2. Would you recommend School According to Humphrey to another reader? Explain who might enjoy it, what makes Humphrey's point of view special, and what bigger message the book gives about school or classroom life.

More by Betty G. Birney

All 2 →

More ready-made journals

How to use this School according to Humphrey reading journal

At home, as a discussion guide

After each chapter your reader writes a few lines on that chapter’s question. Read the answer together at bedtime: it shows what they understood and gives you something real to talk about, without a quiz.

In class, as a novel study

Print a class set (booklets fold from plain letter paper) and use one question per chapter as the reading-response or literature-circle prompt. The example answers at the front show what a full answer looks like.

Homeschool

One booklet covers the whole book, 15 chapters, so it doubles as the reading log for School according to Humphrey. Reword any question before printing to match your reader.

Printing

The booklet PDF prints on ordinary 8.5 × 11 paper: print double-sided (flip on the short edge) at 100%, fold the stack in half and staple on the fold. There is also a one-page-per-sheet PDF and A5 binder pages.

Where the questions come from

Questions about this story, good after any chapter. We know the book, its characters, setting and story, but not what happens in each chapter. So every question is written for this book, and any of them works wherever your reader has just stopped. The questions were drafted with AI from what is known about the book and checked before publishing; every one is editable before you print.

Browse: All books by Betty G. Birney