From anchor charts paired with constructed response questions to compare the novel to the movie, this post provides many A Wrinkle in Time activities to add to your novel study.
From the first line of the book . . . “It was a dark and stormy night,” until the last line. . . “But they never learned what it was that Mrs. Whatsit, Mrs. Who, and Mrs. Which had to do, for there was a gust of wind, and they were gone,” A Wrinkle in Time is an exciting story.
In this book, three children, Meg, Charles Wallace, and Calvin, go on a rescue mission to save Meg and Charles Wallace’s father from the Darkness that has trapped him. Mrs. Who, Mrs. Whatsit, and Mrs. Which provide gentle advice to Meg, Charles Wallace, and Calvin through thoughtful quotes:
Life, with its rules, its obligations, and its freedoms, is like a sonnet: You’re given the form, but you have to write the sonnet yourself. – Mrs. Whatsit
It was really a very great honor for me to be chosen for this mission. It’s just because of my verbalizing and materializing so well, you know. But of course, we can’t take any credit for our talents. – Mrs. Whatsit
I do not know everything; still many things I understand. – Mrs. Who
A Wrinkle in Time Teaching 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
This anchor chart helps students map the problems and solutions in Chapter 4. By using sticky notes, the anchor chart may be reused again and again.
Teaching Idea #2 ~ A Wrinkle in Time Printable Setting 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. Click here to read a blog post that provides additional information about this anchor chart.
Teaching Idea #3 ~ A Wrinkle in Time Activities
Comparing the Book to the Movie
A Wrinkle in Time is a science fiction/fantasy novel by Madeleine L’Engle that was published in 1962. The novel has been adapted into a movie twice. The first movie adaptation was in 2003 as a television film. In 2018, a movie adaptation of the book was released, directed by Ava DuVernay and starring Storm Reid, Oprah Winfrey, Reese Witherspoon, and Mindy Kaling.
What a fantastic movie!
#1 – Have students watch portions of the movie in small segments throughout the unit. This will help students better understand this unusual story.
#2 – Have students compare the book to the movie.
The Book vs. The Movie
Similarities:
The movie follows the same basic plot as the book, with Meg and her friends traveling through different dimensions to find and rescue Meg’s father.
- Meg is an insecure teenager who struggles with feelings of inadequacy and self-doubt.
- Dr. Alex Murry is missing.
- Meg goes on a venture to rescue her dad with her younger brother, Charles Wallace, and friend Calvin.
- The three must battle an evil force to rescue Dr. Murry.
Differences
- Meg is still a strong and independent character.
- The setting of the book is the modern-day USA. The setting of the book is 1960s England.
- The twins are not included in the movie.
- Dr. Murry’s disappearance makes headlines in the movie.
- Charles Wallace is extremely gifted in the book. In the movie, he is portrayed differently.
- The 3 witches must search to find Dr. Murry in the movie. In the book, the 3 witches know Dr. Murry is on the dark planet Camazotz.
- The movie changes the centaur ride into a giant leaf ride.
- The Happy Medium is Mrs. Whatsit’s boyfriend.
- In the book, Meg travels to Ixchel and meets Aunt Beast. (The movie shows a brief shot of Aunt Beast, but the meeting doesn’t take place.)
- The book describes many of the settings and characters in great detail. The movie takes a more abstract and surreal approach to the visuals. The film features vibrant colors and otherworldly landscapes.
See the product that inspired this post.
A Wrinkle in Time Novel Study includes vocabulary practice, comprehension questions, constructed response writing, and skill practice.
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