Henry & Mudge and the Tall Tree House

by Cynthia Rylant

Reading Routine:

Read • Think • Write • Create

Follow this same routine for most books. This book has 4 chapters. I recommend reading one or two chapter if you can, you'll also receive a page of dog bones—one bone for each chapter in the book.

‍ ‍Day 1

  • Cut out 4 dog bones for each person, write a small number in the top corner of each bone. For example: 1…..2…..3…..4

  • Do the Preview in the booklet

  • Read Chapter 1 ( you can shadow read or take turns reading you read the left page and your child can read the right page. Help with the words you know they don’t know but encourage them to read the words they do know.

  • Answer the question for the preview page and chapter 1 in your booklet.

  • Write one sentence about this chapter on bone #1 (For many children—especially reluctant writers—writing on a fun shape feels much less intimidating than writing on a lined page.

  • Save each completed dog bone until you've finished the entire book.

    Day 2

  • Read Chapter 2

  • Complete the comprehension questions

  • Write one sentence about this chapter on bone #2

    Day 3

  • Read chapter 3

  • Complete the comprehension questions

  • Write 1 sentence on bone #3

Day 4

  • Read chapter 4

  • Complete the comprehension questions

  • Write 1 sentence on bone #4

    Day 5

  • After finishing the book, open to the next clean two-page spread in your Reading Response Journal.

  • At the top of the right-hand page, write the title of the book.

    For example:

    Henry and Mudge: and the Tall Tree House is a __________________ book.

  • (Let your child choose the describing word. (fun, exciting, happy, good, cool)

  • Teacher Tip: This is also a great opportunity to remind children that book titles capitalize the important words.

  • Glue the dog bones underneath your writing in chapter order.

Activity Page:

  • Decide if you want your tree house in your bedroom or a tree.

  • Create a triangle from tan construction paper, cut 3 thin strips of brown construction paper to build your tree house. ( 2 sides and a floor down from the roof) Decorate your free house.. If it is in your room you might put your bed inside the treehouse, If it is in a tree draw your tree and then put your treehouse in the tree.