Title 1 sponsored this whole-district initiative by purchasing every student and staff member in grades K-4 the book “The World According to Humphrey” by Betty G. Birney. The book was accompanied with a reading schedule calendar to ensure everyone was reading the same chapters at the same time. This unique program provides families the opportunity to be active participants in better preparing their children to be effective readers.

“The World According to Humphrey” is written from Humphrey, a classroom pet hamster’s point of view. Making the book nearly come to life, a few of the elementary PTOs have generously purchased their very own hamster, aka Humphrey.

“Humphrey visits the classrooms daily and the children light up when they see him,” said Rachel Casper, Interventionist at Renovo Elementary.

“He has become a legend in the schools as the children are constantly asking about Humphrey and can’t wait to see him the next day, the schools are buzzing about their own Humphrey,” Casper explained.

PHOTO PROVIDED Each Friday they have hamster races that classes can earn a chance to compete in by correctly answering the daily trivia questions.

Each elementary school created their own interactive pieces to engage students even further into the book and therefore the overall experience. Ideas such as how to draw your own Humphrey, journal writing entries describing Humphrey’s visit to your classroom, comprehension questions, and prizes have all made this a reading adventure that students will remember for years to come.

PHOTO PROVIDED Custodian Crystal Parks shares her lunch with Woodward’s stuffed hamster.

PHOTO PROVIDED Students read a book to Humphrey.