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The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe



Last updated Friday, July 20, 2007

Author: C.S. Lewis
Illustrator: Pauline Baynes
Date of Publication: 1994
ISBN: 0060234814
Grade Level: 5th    (GLCs: Click here for grade level guidelines.)
Date(s) Used: Sep. 2005

Synopsis: What begins as a simple game of hide-and-seek quickly turns into the adventure of a lifetime when Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy walk through the wardrobe and into the land of Narnia. There they find a cold, snow-covered land frozen into eternal winter by the evil White Witch. All who challenge her rule are turned into stone. Narnia, once filled with all manner of talking Beasts, Dwarfs, Giants, and Fauns is now a dark, joyless wasteland. The children can only hope that Aslan, the Great Lion, will return to Narnia and restore beauty and peace to the land. But will the power of Aslan be enough to conquer the dark magic of the White Witch?

Note to readers:
•  This is a chapter book which you will not finish. Aim to finish reading Chapter 3. However, if the students are interested and there is still time, read Chapter 4.

Discussion topics for before reading:
•  What is the setting of the story?
•  Have you ever been in an old building that seems spooky?
•  Have you ever seen snow? What is it like?
•  Discuss what a wardrobe is.
•  Look at the cover and discuss what a faun is.

Discussion topics for during/after reading:
•  Questions for Chapter 1
•  Who are the children in this book?
•  Why do they go to live with the Professor?
•  What do the children decide to do when it rains?
•  When Lucy walks into the wardrobe, what happens?
•  Lucy says that it is ?very foolish to shut oneself in a wardrobe.? What else is foolish to shut yourself in?
•  Have you ever been in the woods? What is it like?
•  Questions for Chapter 2
•  What is the name of the land Lucy is in?
•  What did Mr. Tumnus plan to do to Lucy? Why?
•  Why do you think Mr. Tumnus calls Lucy daughter of Eve?
•  Do you think that Mr. Tumnus is good, bad, or some combination of the two? Why?
•  If you were Mr. Tumnus, would you let Lucy go or would you give her to the Queen? Why?
•  What do you think Narnia is like?
•  Questions for Chapter 3
•  What do the other children think about Lucy's story?
•  Tell about a time that you told the truth and no one believed you. How did you feel?
•  Whom does Edmund meet in Narnia?
•  What kind of a place do you think Narnia is like? What do you think the Queen is like?
•  Questions for Chapter 4
•  Do you think the Queen is a good or a bad character? Why?
•  Do you think she really wants to make Edmund a prince? Why or why not?
•  Who does Lucy say that the "Queen of Narnia" is?

Craft ideas:
•  Make snowflakes by folding a piece of paper in half and then half again. Then cut out patterns.
•  Draw a picture of Narnia and other creatures that might live there.
•  Make flashcards of homophones with the word on one side and the picture on the other side. Begin with fawn and faun. Bring ahead option: flashcards.

Special activities:
•  Play charades with words from the story, such as wardrobe and faun.

*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!