Before Reading
Think About What You Know
What do you know about the character of Alice found in the books Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass? Do a quickwrite about what you know about her. Then do another quickwrite about Humpty Dumpty. Share your ideas about these characters with two or three of your classmates. The story you are about to read is a work of fantasy. With your group, discuss what you would expect to find in this selection. You might get some ideas from the picture on page 864.
During Reading
Use What You Know as You Read
1. Listen as your teacher reads the first four paragraphs of the selection aloud. What elements of fantasy do you find? How do Alice and Humpty Dumpty live up to your expectations?
2. Keep asking yourself questions about Alice, Humpty Dumpty, and fantasy elements as you read the rest of the story on your own.
Fix-Up Idea: Work with Word Play
This selection contains many made up words. It also uses words in unusual ways. In many cases, these words will be explained as you are meant to understand them in the story. You should not use the meanings in this story to learn words for other use.
After Reading
Summarize What You Learned
Do a quickwrite response to the selection. Focus on whether it met your expectations. Then compare your response with your group from the Before-Reading activity.