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After the Fall (How Humpty Dumpty Got Back Up Again)
Last updated Wednesday, May 4, 2022
Author: Dan Santat
Date of Publication: 2017
ISBN: 1626726825
Grade Level: 3rd (GLCs: Click here for grade level guidelines.)
Date(s) Used: May 2022
Synopsis:
Everyone knows that when Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall, Humpty Dumpty had a great fall. But what happened after?
Caldecott Medalist Dan Santat's poignant tale follows Humpty Dumpty, an avid bird watcher whose favorite place to be is high up on the city wall - that is, until after his famous fall. Now terrified of heights, Humpty can longer do many of the things he loves most.
Will he summon the courage to face his fear?
| Note to readers: |
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Review the classic nursery rhyme Humpty Dumpty:
Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall
Humpty Dumpty had a great fall
All the king’s horses
And all the king’s men
Couldn’t put Humpty together again.
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| Discussion topics for before reading: |
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If they don’t know it, teach the kids the nursery rhyme and repeat it a few times with them, so they are very familiar
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What happened after that? That’s what this book is about.
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Have you ever gotten hurt or injured? Did it make you afraid to do the same thing again?
Vocabulary:
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Managed to: found a way to do something
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Afraid of heights: fear of being high above the ground for any reason
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Eventually: finally
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Terrified: very very scared
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| Discussion topics for during/after reading: |
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Who are the “King’s men” who put Humpty together again?
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What does he mean “some parts that couldn’t be healed with bandages and glue”? Discuss emotions he might have – fear, sadness …
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Point out his drawings of birds and the newspaper clipping about him. He really loves bird-watching.
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Look at the cereals on the shelf. Which ones would you like? What keeps Humpty from getting his favorites?
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What idea flew by? Do you know how to make a paper airplane? Is it difficult?
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Have you ever gotten really good at something by practicing again and again?
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Why does Humpty try to climb the wall again?
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How did Humpty become a bird?
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Do you think it’s important to keep trying things? What happens if you don’t? What could you miss?
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| Special activities: |
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Kids can make up their own Humpty Dumpty rhymes. Warm them up by thinking of other words that rhyme with wall/fall and create new sentences, like: “went to the mall and bought a doll … went down the hall and made a phone call … “ Who can think of longer rhyming words? “Fell in a puddle and needed a cuddle … “ Maybe even use their names for inspiration, and all students can make suggestions: A girl named Mary ate a strawberry … A boy named John gets up at dawn …
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End with a rousing sing-along of Chumbawamba’s “I get knocked down but I get up again!” (Just the chorus! The first 30 seconds of this clip). Teach the kids before playing it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dg9zNNhGAjY
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*Note: These craft ideas are just suggestions.
You can use them, but you don't have to use them.
You can expand upon them, or add your own twist.
Remember, though, that the focus of your time should
not be on the development and execution of a craft;
the focus should be on the read-aloud and the
enjoyment of the book!
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