Please excuse me from being absent for a few weeks, I've been lost in Narnia, and oh how it has been simply splendid!
I decided that I would teach Fantasy this month using C.S. Lewis' beautiful book, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. I was apprehensive to use this book for a few reasons. First of all, I was afraid that some of my students had already read the book. Although it is a level DRA 50 I could see many of my students trying to read this in the earlier years of school. I was also nervous to use this book because I knew I would be bombarded with cries of, "I've seen the movie!!!" Regardless of my worries, I decided to teach the book anyways.I am delighted with my decision.
Did I have fifth graders that read the book before or some that have seen the movie? Absolutely! Has it made a difference in the pure enjoyment that they've gotten out of this book? Absolutely not. My fifth graders have enjoyed every chapter, every page, every word that C.S. Lewis wrote. They have been enthusiastic about reading, and at times try to sneak to read a chapter ahead. How can I be upset when a child wants to "get lost in a book?" Isn't that what we want our students to do?
On Monday we will be on Chapter 12. We are nearing the "climax" of our plot map. How exciting! The book discussions and lessons before each chapter have been magical. I have been so impressed with the discussion this book evokes in my students. My "mini" lessons have turned into more like...jumbo book discussions...because the students could go on and on talking about this book.
Some of the skills I've taught while using this book are:
*Symbolism. (This can be tricky with this book, because the symbolism is highly connected with Jesus Christ, God, Resurrection, etc. Of course I'm not teaching any of this in the classroom...one can simply let the symbolism stay at "Good vs. Evil")
*Vocabulary
*Identifying Unknown Vocabulary (using context clues)
*Character Traits
*How character traits can effect one's decisions and actions
*Theme
*Reading strategies (Predicting, Questioning...etc.)
*Descriptive Writing
I will be posting pictures of my anchor charts that we've created this week! Has anyone else used this book before? I'm curious how your experience was using it? Hope everyone has enjoyed their wonderful weekend!
It has felt like Narnia here in Maine...lucky that it's in the teens today. Oh how I wish Aslan would come and make it Spring. :)
xo
UPDATE: I decided to add my entire novel study to my TPT store. Be sure to check it out here!
