The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe

Student Sites

Colonial Middle

Teacher Sites

The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe

Unit by: Marty Pettigrew pettigrewm@k12tn.net

Unit Title: "A Journey Into Make Believe": The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe
Grade Levels: 4-8
Unit Theme: Writing Across the Curriculum
Subject Areas: Language Arts, Social Studies, History

Rationale:

Students will enjoy a journey into make believe as they read the classic book, The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe. Students will be encouraged to excel to one's fullest potential while completing activities promoting friendship through character and offering moral guidance.

Unit Overview:

This unit is designed to be used in sequence, as students read the book. It is suggested that students complete the activities in order; however, teachers may choose to only incorporate select activities into their curriculum. Students will complete prereading activities as they research to discover more about the life and writings of C. S. Lewis. Students will be given vocabulary words for each section of the book with various activities to increase vocabulary retention. Students will design a "Journal" to record thoughts, hopes and fantasies as they are discovered reading the story. After each chapter, students will go online to answer comprehension questions. After studying an online map of Narnia, students will construct a map detailing Narnia as they see it and add it to the journal. Students will research a list of leaders online to discover their reputation as a leader. After reading the book, students will submit individual written reports which can be posted online, and make individual oral presentations. Each group will make character sketches of the main characters and discuss the reputation of each character. Then groups will discuss and write a character sketch describing an ideal friend. To conclude the unit, each group will prepare a multimedia presentation.

Unit Lessons:

Lesson 1: Prereading Activities

Lesson 2: Creating a Journal

Lesson 3: Vocabulary

Lesson 4: Comprehension

Lesson 5: Characters' Report Card

Lesson 6: Leader Search

Lesson 7: Written Report and Oral Presentation with a Visual

Lesson 8: Your Reputation

Lesson 9: Final Evaluation

Additional Resources: Additional Resources

Lesson 1: Prereading Activities

Unit Title: "A Journey Into Make Believe": The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe

Back to Unit Lessons

Grade Level: 4-8

Standards:

1. Develop the use of the computer as a research and communication tool.
2. Gain the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to function effectively in a technological society.

Materials:

Prereading questions
Journal
Website: http://cslewis.drzeus.net/

Tasks:

Students will complete prereading activities as they search the Internet to discover more about the life and writings of C.S. Lewis. After students complete these questions, they should develop their findings into a summary to be placed in a student journal.

1. These questions about C.S. Lewis and his life can be found at the above website.

1.1 Who was C.S. Lewis?
1.2 Why was C.S. Lewis known as 'Jack'?
1.3 Who was Mrs. Moore?
1.4 Who is Walter Hooper? What is his connection with Lewis?
1.5 What was 'Shadowlands'?
1.51 What does the title 'Shadowlands' mean?
1.52 Was 'Shadowlands' an accurate portrayal of Lewis's life?
1.53 Why does Lewis have two stepsons in the TV version of 'Shadowlands' and only one in the movie?
1.54 Did C.S. Lewis really lose his faith after the death of his wife?
1.55 What became of David Gresham?
1.6 What biographies have been written about C.S. Lewis?
1.7 What C.S. Lewis related sites are open to the public?
1.8 Why is Magdalen College sometimes spelt with an 'e' on the end?

2. Questions about C.S. Lewis's writings

2.1 What did C.S. Lewis write?
2.11 Academic Books
2.12 Books About Christianity
2.13 Poetry
2.14 Fiction, Allegory, Imaginative Works
2.15 Autobiography
2.16 Letters
2.2 The Narnia Books
2.21 Why is my set of the Narnia books numbered in the wrong order?
2.22 Is Narnia an allegory?
2.23 I have an idea for a new Narnia book. Who should I write to for permission to publish it?
2.24 Is it true that there are differences in the British and American editions of the Narnia books?
2.25 What film and TV versions of Lewis's books have there been?
2.26 What's this I hear about a new movie of 'The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe'?
2.27: What is Turkish delight?
2.3: Lewis's other works
2.31: What was 'The C.S. Lewis Hoax'?
2.32 Is 'Screwtape Proposes a Toast' a sequel to 'The Screwtape Letters'?
2.33 Is there any more posthumous Lewis material awaiting publication?
2.34 Are there any tapes of Lewis speaking available?

Evaluation:

Teachers will evaluate student summary of findings.

Lesson 2: Creating a Journal

Unit Title: "A Journey Into Make Believe": The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe

Back to Unit Lessons

Grade Level: 4-8

Standards:

1. Write frequently for a variety of purposes.
2. Continue to respond actively and imaginatively to literature.

Materials:

Construction paper
Markers
Loose leaf paper

Tasks:

Before reading the book, students should design the front and back covers of a journal to be used to record thoughts, observations, ideas and questions as they read each chapter.

Evaluation:

Students' work will be evaluated for creativity and eye appeal.

Lesson 3: Vocabulary

Unit Title: "A Journey Into Make Believe": The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe

Back to Unit Lessons

Grade Level: 4-8

Standards:

1. Improve vocabulary by interpreting, analyzing, synthesizing, and evaluating written text.
2. Continue to respond actively and imaginatively to literature.
3. Demonstrate ways of thinking and acting and to exhibit an awareness of the historical and cultural contributions to science.

Materials:

Copy of book
Vocabulary activities
Computer linked to the internet
Website:http://www.i2.i-2000.com/~jon777/lionplan.html

Tasks:

Students will be assigned to read the book in sections. For each section there is a list of vocabulary words with an activity to be completed and placed in the journal.The vocabulary activities are different for each section. Also, after each section, students will complete a list of questions to be kept in the journal using the following site: http://www.i2.i-2000.com/~jon777/lionplan.html

Section 1: Chapters1-4:
Play Charades acting out each word using the words in Section 1.
wardrobe
housekeeper
scarlet
enchanted
imaginary
muffler
tongs
inquisitive
hoax
dwarf
splendid
dominions

Section 2: Chapters 5-8:
Write a creative fantasy story using the vocabulary words from Section 2.
reign
camphor
superior
lamppost
enemies
faun
sightseers
festoons
premise
beckoned
prophecy
disposal

Section 3: Chapters 9-11:
Develop and solve your own Crossword Puzzle using the vocabulary words from Section 3.
magic
vermin
repulsive
mysterious
quiver
stammer
solemn
conversation
cinema
gloat
delicious
sorcerer

Section 4: Chapter 12-14:
Write a sentence using each word in Section 4 correctly.
siege
treachery
pavilion
ogres
stump
perish
dismay
summon
awkward
dispute
shrill
solemn

Section 5: Chapters 15-17:
Create a game incorporating the words from Section 5.
dungeon
stag
traitor
miserable
wand
vile
muzzle
apparently
statues
ghost
conceal
nibbling

Evaluation:

Conduct a vocabulary bee similar to a spelling bee to evaluate students understanding of the vocabulary.

Lesson 4: Comprehension

Unit Title: "A Journey Into Make Believe": The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe

Back to Unit Lessons

Grade Level: 4-8

Standards:

1. Improve comprehension by interpreting, analyzing, synthesizing, and evaluating written text.
2. Continue to respond actively and imaginatively to literature.
3. Demonstrate ways of thinking and acting and to exhibit an awareness of the historical and cultural contributions to history.

Materials:

Copy of book
Comprehension questions
Computer linked to the internet
Website: http://www.i2.i-2000.com/~jon777/lionplan.html

Tasks:

Students will be assigned to read the book in sections. After each section, students will complete a list of questions to be kept in their journal. The following section questions may be found at: http://www.i2.i-2000.com/~jon777/lionplan.html

Chapter I: "Lucy Looks Into a Wardrobe":
1. What is the title of this book?
2. Who is its author?
3. Who are the children in this book?
4. Why do they go to live with the Professor?
5. What do the children decide to do when it rains?
6. When Lucy walks into the wardrobe, what happens?

Chapter II: "What Lucy Found There":
1. What is the name of the land Lucy is in?
2. What did Mr. Tumnus plan to do to Lucy? Why?
3. Do you think that Mr. Tumnus is good, bad, or some combination of the two? Why?
4. If you were Mr. Tumnus, would you let Lucy go or would you give her to the Queen? Why?

Chapter III: Edmund and the Wardrobe:
1. What do the other children think about Lucy's story?
2. Tell about a time that you told the truth and no one believed you. How did you feel?
3. Whom does Edmund meet in Narnia?

Chapter IV: Turkish Delight
1. Do you think that the Queen is a good or a bad character? Why?
2. Do you think that the Queen really wants to make Edmund a prince? Why or why not?
3. Who does Lucy say that the "Queen of Narnia" is?

Chapter V: Back on This Side of the Door
1. What does Edmund tell the other children about "Lucy's country?"
2. Why do you think he does this?
3. How do you feel about Edmund? Tell four words that describe Edmund's personality.
4. What does the Professor tell the children about Lucy's story? Does he believe it? Why or why not?
5. Why do all the children go into the wardrobe?

Chapter VI: Into the Forest
1. How do the other children learn that Edmund was in Narnia before?
2. What happened to the Faun?
3. How did the White Witch know that the Faun had helped Lucy?

Chapter VII: A Day With the Beavers
1. Whom do the children meet?
2. Where do they go?

Chapter VIII: What Happened After Dinner
1. What does Mr. Beaver say that the Queen does to her captives?
2. Who is Aslan?
3. Why does the Witch hate humans and want to capture them?
4. Who do the children realize is missing? What do you think that that person is doing?

Chapter IX: In the Witch's House
1. What does Edmund want?
2. Does he want his brothers and sisters to be hurt? (See p.85)
3. What does Edmund do to the stone statue of a lion? Why do you think that he does this?
4. How does the Queen react to Edmund's visit?

Chapter X: The Spell Begins to Break
1. Where do the Beavers and the children want to get quickly, and why?
2. The witch's power begins to crumble. How does Mr. Beaver know that this is happening? (See pp.101-103) Hint: who visits the children and animals?

Chapter XI: Aslan Is Nearer
1. What does Edmund want to eat? What does the Witch give him to eat?
2. How does Edmund feel?
3. Why does the Witch turn the animals at the party into stone?
4. How does Edmund start to change? (p.113)
5. Give four adjectives that describe the Queen.
6. At the end of this chapter, there are signs of spring. Why is this significant?

Chapter XII: Peter's First Battle
1. What happens in this chapter?

Chapter XIII: Deep Magic From the Dawn of Time
1. Do Aslan and the children forgive Edmund for his treachery? How do you know? (See pp. 135, 136)
2. What are the rules of the high magic regarding traitors? What is supposed to happen to Edmund? ( Remember Aslan's private conversation with the Witch. Later you will see what it was about!)

Chapter XIV: The Triumph of the Witch
1. Why do Lucy and Susan follow Aslan?
2. Why does Aslan allow himself to be tied up and killed?
3. How do you feel about what Aslan does?

Chapter XV: Deeper Magic From Before the Dawn of Time
1. What happens in this chapter?
2. Why does Aslan come back to life? (See pp.159-160)

Chapter XVI: What Happened About the Statues
1. What does Aslan do to the statues?
2. Describe the battle.

Chapter XVII: The Hunting of the White Stag
1. How does Edmund help?
2. Do the children tell Edmund about Aslan's sacrifice? Why or why not? Do you think they made the right decision about whether or not to tell him?
3. What do the children become in Narnia?
4. Why does the author make the children talk differently on pages 183 and 184?
5. How does the book end? What happens?

Evaluation:

Students' answers in the journal will serve as the evaluation tool.

Lesson 5: Characters' Report Card

Unit Title: "A Journey Into Make Believe": The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe

Back to Unit Lessons

Grade Level: 4-8

Standards:

1. Write frequently for a variety of purposes.
2. Continue to respond actively and imaginatively to literature.
3. Participate in small and large group discussions by making relevant contributions.

Materials:

Computer linked to the internet
Character worksheet
Website: http://www.i2.i-2000.com/~jon777/lionplan.html

Tasks:

Complete a characters' report card. Assign each of the following characters from The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe a grade (A, B, C, D or F) for each of the listed character traits. In the "comments" space, give reasons for each grade. Base your reasons on the events from the book.

Quality: Kindness
Character Grade Comments:
Lucy
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Edmund
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mr. Tumnus
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
White Witch
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aslan
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Quality: Bravery
Character Grade Comments:
Lucy
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Edmund
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mr. Tumnus
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
White Witch
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aslan
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Quality: Intelligence
Character Grade Comments:
Lucy
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Edmund
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mr. Tumnus
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
White Witch
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aslan
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Quality: Leadership
Character Grade Comments:
Lucy
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Edmund
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mr. Tumnus
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
White Witch
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aslan
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Evaluation:

Students' work will serve as the evaluation tool.

Lesson 6: Leader Search

Unit Title: "A Journey Into Make Believe": The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe

Back to Unit Lessons

Grade Level: 4-8

Standards:

1.Demonstrate ways of thinking and acting to exhibit an awareness of the historical and cultural contributions to science.
2. Develop the use of the computer as a research and communication tool.
3. Write frequently for a variety of purposes.
4. Improve comprehension by interpreting, analyzing, synthesizing, and evaluating written text.

Materials:

Computer linked to the internet
List of leaders
Internet searching resources
Journal

Websites:

Leader Site - http://web.jet.es/ziaorarr/00index.htm

President Abraham Lincoln, USA - http://members.aol.com/RVSNorton/Lincoln2.html

President Abraham Lincoln, USA - http://www.whitehouse.gov/WH/glimpse/presidents/html/al16.html

Princess Dianna, England - http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Meadows/9548/princess.html

Sadam Hussein, Iraq - http://www.metacrawler.com/crawler?general=Sadam%20Hussein

President Bill Clinton, USA - http://www.whitehouse.gov/WH/glimpse/presidents/html/al16.html

Adolph Hitler, Germany - http://www.altavista.digital.com/cgi-bin/query?pg=q&what=web&q=Adolph+Hitler

Julius Caesar, Ancient Rome http://search.yahoo.com/search?p=Julius+Caesar

Queen Elizabeth I, England http://search.yahoo.com/search?p=Queen+Elizabeth+I

Tasks:

Students are to go to the preceding links and read to discover what kind of reputation as a ruler each leader has. Students are to classify each leader as good or bad giving three specific facts to justify the choice. Students will write their findings in their journal. Students may use these sites to locate information about each leader or do another Internet search for each leader.

Evaluation:

Journal entries will serve as an evaluation tool.

Lesson 7: Written Report and Oral Presentation with a Visual

Unit Title: "A Journey Into Make Believe": The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe

Back to Unit Lessons

Grade Level: 4-8

Standards:

1. Improve comprehension by interpreting, analyzing, synthesizing, and evaluating written text.
2. Write frequently for a variety of purposes.
3. Continue to respond actively and imaginatively to literature.

Materials:

Notebook paper
Word processor

Tasks:

Each student will turn in a written book report. The report is to be one to one and a half pages in length. Write only on the front of the page. Regular lined notebook paper is to be used. Use a black pen or a word processor. The title of the book should be centered on the top line of the front page. Your name should be written in the upper right corner of each page. Book titles are always underlined. The first word and all other important words are capitalized. The author's name should be written under the title of the book. The report should be in your best handwriting if you are not using a word processor.
The first paragraph will be an introductory type paragraph in which the student will attempt to convince the reader that the book he/she read was an excellent one. He will tell what awards, if any, it has won, how many copies have been sold, and who would enjoy reading it.
The second paragraph should briefly describe both the setting and not more than three to six main characters.
The third paragraph is to be a summary of the story. However, do not tell the ending or any surprises.
The last paragraph should be your opinion of the book. You might mention such things as how the author created suspense or developed characters with whom readers of a particular type or age can identify. You might comment on why the book won an award or sold so many copies. You need to think deeply about why you enjoyed the book and write a very good concluding paragraph.
The first and last paragraphs should be especially good, because it is in the introduction and the conclusion that you will actually "sell" the reader on your book.
Students will also make an oral presentation using a visual that they have created. The visual may be a drawing which represents a particularly interesting part of the book, a promotional poster or pamphlet advertising the book, a model of how they view "Narnia", a multi-media presentation, or another creative idea approved by the teacher.

Evaluation:

Students will receive an evaluation for the written presentations based upon how well they followed the written directions. Students will receive a grade for the oral presentation based upon its creativity and the delivery of the presentation.

Lesson 8: Your Reputation

Unit Title: "A Journey Into Make Believe": The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe

Back to Unit Lessons

Grade Level: 4-8

Standards:

1. Participate in small and large group discussions by making relevant contributions.
2. Continue to respond actively and imaginatively to literature.

Materials:

Character report cards from lesson 4
Journals

Tasks:

After reading the book, students are to discuss Lucy's reputation for telling the truth and Edmund's reputation for picking on his sister and other people. After the battle with the White Witch, the four children became leaders with good reputations. Peter, a great warrior, was called Peter the Magnificent; Lucy became known as Queen Lucy the Valiant; Susan was known as Queen Susan the Gentle; and Edmund became a great counselor-Edmund the Just. Working in groups students are to discuss individual reputations and then make a list of character qualities needed to have a good reputation. Students should place the list in their journal.

Evaulation:

Teacher observation and students' written work in the journals will serve as the evaluation tool.

Lesson 9: Final Evaluation

Unit Title: "A Journey Into Make Believe": The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe

Back to Unit Lessons

Grade Level: 4-8

Standards:

1. Evaluate comprehension through interpreting, analyzing, synthesizing, and evaluating written text.

Materials:

Computer connected to the internet
Website: http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Parthenon/1409/Quiz/quiz1.html

Tasks:

Students will go to the preceding site and take an electronic test: