The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe tells the story of four siblings: Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy. After World War II breaks out in London, the siblings go to the English countryside to live with Professor Digory Kirke. The children discover a wardrobe in the professor’s home that takes them to the magical land of Narnia.
In Narnia, the Pevensie children help save a talking lion named Aslan from an evil White Witch. The White Witch has taken over the land of Narnia and causes the kingdom to have everlasting winter with no Christmas. As the children help to break the spell of the evil witch, the snow begins to melt, and Father Christmas arrives.
Free Novel Study Samples
This download contains free samples for The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe Anchor Chart
The anchor chart below helps students think about the gifts that Father Christmas brings. “Santa” brings usual items needed to survive and to battle the evil witch, not gifts of toys and candy.
You may wish to have students complete the anchor chart by writing the details on sticky notes. This way the anchor chart may be used year after year.
The anchor chart above pairs with the constructed response graphic organizer below. Click on the link to get your free sample constructed response organizer.
Ways to Use the Graphic Organizer
Option 1
Have students use the graphic organizer for notes. Notice the notes in the photo above are not in complete sentences. Glue the organizer to the left side of the notebook page. On the right side of the notebook, students use the notes to write the details in paragraph form.
Option 2
Students complete the organizer by writing complete sentences.
Plot Development Roller Coaster Organizer
Download this free Plot Development Anchor Chart.
Click here to read a blog post that provides additional information about this anchor chart.
This is another free sample constructed response organizer. This free sample is also included in the download.
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)
The Movie
Curriculum Guide to Accompany the Movie and Book (This 41-page guide – created by the filmmakers – contains many activities, games, and printables.)
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.
Additional Teaching Ideas for the Book
The Secret Door Foldable
This 8 page Study Guide contains a story summary and character descriptions as well as activities to add to your book study.
Book Unit Samples
If you would like to try out the The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe Book Unit before you buy it, this download contains free samples including:
- Vocabulary Practice for Chapter 1
- Character Traits Constructed Response Question
- Symbolism Constructed Response Question
- Plot Development Constructed Response Question
- Photos to Show What the Rest of the Unit Looks Like
The Full Novel Study
You can purchase the full novel study at Teachers Pay Teachers.
