Last updated: July 28, 2026
If you’re looking for Lion, Witch and the Wardrobe teaching ideas, C. S. Lewis’s beloved classic is a wonderful choice for exploring courage, transformation, forgiveness, and the battle between good and evil. Students are captivated by the Pevensie siblings’ journey from wartime London into the magical world of Narnia. This post includes anchor chart ideas and novel study samples to help you build a rich and engaging unit.
Reading Level
Lexile 940L
Interest Level
Grades 5-7
Length
208 pages
Award
ALA Notable Children’s Book
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⭐ About the Book
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe begins during World War II, when Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy Pevensie are sent to live with Professor Digory Kirke in the English countryside. While exploring the large, mysterious house, Lucy discovers a wardrobe that leads to Narnia—a land filled with talking animals, mythical creatures, and an enchantment that has trapped the kingdom in “always winter, but never Christmas.”
Soon all four siblings enter Narnia and learn that the evil White Witch has taken control of the land. Her icy rule keeps the world frozen and fearful. The children meet Aslan, the great lion and true king of Narnia, whose return signals hope and the beginning of change. As the snow melts and Father Christmas arrives, the Pevensies realize they have a role to play in breaking the Witch’s spell.
Edmund’s betrayal and eventual redemption add emotional depth to the story, highlighting themes of forgiveness and transformation. The siblings must work together, face danger, and trust Aslan as they help restore peace to Narnia. Students love the adventure, the magical creatures, and the powerful message that courage and compassion can overcome even the darkest evil.
⭐ Book Details
| Publication Date | October 16, 1950 |
| Reading Level | Lexile 940L • Scholastic Guided Reading Level T |
| Interest Level | Grades 5–7 |
| Major Awards | ALA Notable Children's Book |
| Length | 208 pages (approx. 37,990 words) |
| Estimated Reading Time | About 2 hours and 31 minutes (at 250 words per minute) |
| Audiobook Length | 4 hours, 21 minutes |
| Genre | Classic fantasy |
| Setting | London • Magical kingdom of Narnia |
| Point of View | Third person, omniscient |
| Themes | Good vs. Evil • Betrayal • Transformation • Compassion and Forgiveness • Courage • Family • Man and the Natural World |
| Memorable Quote | “I hope no one who reads this book has been quite as miserable as Susan and Lucy were that night... you will know that there comes in the end a sort of quietness.” |
| First Line | “ONCE there were four children whose names were Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy.” |
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe Activities
Book Unit Samples
This sample contains…
- Vocabulary Practice for Chapter 1
- Character Traits Constructed Response Question
- Problem and Solutions Constructed Response Question
- Setting Constructed Response Question
Teaching Idea #1 ~ Problems and Solutions Anchor Chart
Scholastic makes great book trailers. This short video is no exception. First, show the short video. Next, students complete a chart based on the details provided in the video. Students will most likely need to watch the video a second time to catch all the details.
This is a great hook activity to build interest before starting the novel. Completing the chart will also help students remember the main characters, settings, and their biggest conflicts. With three stories, this can be confusing.
Teaching Idea #2 ~ Narnia Day at School
Check out these wonderful photos of Narnia Day sent to me by Amanda. Here is what she had to say.
We had a Narnia Day where we did a room transformation and students went “through Narnia”. Students entered through the wardrobe, went through winter, the stone table, and then Spring, doing different activities along the way. One highlight was having “Tea with Tumnus.” The 3rd grade had just finished reading The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.
This must have been great fun. I wish I had been there to participate.
Teaching Idea #3 ~ The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe Printable Anchor Chart
This anchor chart can be printed poster-sized for a class activity or on a standard piece of printer paper for an individual activity. This activity is included in the unit sample. If you missed the link above, here it is again.
Books in the Series – Which do I read first?
There has been much dispute over the reading order of the seven books that make up The Chronicles of Narnia. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe was the first book published in the series. Due to this, a reader can pick up this book and not have to read background information to “catch up” with what is taking place in the story.
- The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (1950)
- Prince Caspian: The Return to Narnia (1951)
- The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (1952)
- The Silver Chair (1953)
- The Horse and His Boy (1954)
- The Magician’s Nephew (1955)
- The Last Battle (1956)
Teaching Idea #4 ~ Comparing the Book to the Movie
Comparing the book to the movie is always a fun activity for students. In 2005, Walt Disney Pictures created a movie based on the book. This successful film even won an Academy Award for Best Makeup. This book-movie pairing shares the same plot. Students will have to be extremely observant to find the differences.
Similarities
The overall plot is the same for both the book and the movie. The four Pevensie siblings go to Narnia. They must free the kingdom from a hundred-year spell cast by the White Witch. The siblings become kings and queens of Narnia.
Father Christmas brings gifts to help the characters win the battle.
Differences
The way the children discover the magical (portal) wardrobe is different.
In the movie, the dogs reach the beaver’s house before the children leave making an interesting escape scene.
The rescue of Edmund is different.
Teaching Idea #5 ~ The Secret Door Foldable
See the product that inspired this post.
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe Novel Study includes vocabulary practice, comprehension questions, constructed response writing, and skill practice.
