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C.S. Lewis’s beloved series, “The Chronicles of Narnia,” includes “The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe,” often mistakenly assumed to be the first book, when in fact, it’s the second installment. The true opener is “The Magician’s Nephew,” followed by #3 “The Horse and His Boy,” #4 “Prince Caspian,” #5 “The Voyage of the Dawn Treader,” #6 “The Silver Chair,” and concluding with “The Last Battle.”
Within Narnia’s enchanting realm, brimming with magic, mythical creatures, and talking animals, each book centers on children and their pivotal roles in shaping Narnia’s history. These children are magically transported from the real world to Narnia, collaborating with the Narnian lion, Aslan, in safeguarding the land from malevolent forces.
C.S. Lewis artfully intertwines his childhood experiences during World War II and theological insights throughout the series. While a subtle Christian undertone runs through the narrative, it’s not overt, rendering the books suitable for Christian and public educational settings. The foundational theme of the eternal struggle between good and evil offers a compelling narrative ripe for analysis and interpretation across diverse audiences.
Try a free sample of the novel study for The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe
Movies, including some high-budget releases by Disney, have been brought to life based on select books from the series. There’s buzz circulating that Netflix plans to develop a streaming series covering the entire Chronicles of Narnia collection.
For decades, enthusiasts of the fantasy genre have been captivated by the Chronicles of Narnia. Often serving as a gateway, these books ignite a passion for the genre, leading readers to explore more mature works like The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. J.K. Rowling, renowned for the Harry Potter series, has acknowledged the profound impact the Chronicles had on her as a child, shaping her imaginative world and influencing her writing. Expect your students to join the ranks of countless others who have fallen in love with Narnia’s enchanting realm over the past seven decades.
I provide comprehensive novel studies tailored for each book in the Chronicles of Narnia series, designed for classroom or homeschool use. Each unit offers both printable and Google Drive™ formats, accommodating traditional and paperless classroom settings, including compatibility with Google Classroom. The structure of these units mirrors the format demonstrated in the video for The Magician’s Nephew.
You can purchase these novel studies at the following locations:
Are you interested in reading about and sharing ideas with other educators on using children’s literature in your classroom? My goal is to bring together teachers and homeschoolers who teach grades 3-8 and use novels with their students. I’d love for you to join me to learn, share, and grow together!
While having your students physically present offers the best means to gauge their comprehension of a subject and identify the necessity for tailored instruction, circumstances may arise where this isn’t feasible. Increasingly, students equipped with laptops and various devices are transforming traditional “free” snow days into E-Learning days. This shift aims to prevent extending the school year by leveraging technology for remote learning when in-person classes are impractical.
Periodic closures of schools due to natural disasters have been evident in various regions. For instance, in Nebraska, schools grappled with flooding issues both, in the spring and fall, resulting in chaotic interruptions to regular schedules. Additionally, student absences can range from short-term illnesses to prolonged health issues, leading to extended periods away from the classroom.
Furthermore, homeschooling communities often utilize e-learning within their cooperative groups or classes. The diverse array of reasons preventing direct in-person interaction with students underscores the significance of technology. It enables educators to virtually engage with their students during such challenging times, bridging the physical gap through digital platforms.
In my role as a curriculum writer, I prioritize flexibility by integrating numerous choices and options into my educational materials. Having been a teacher myself, I understand the constant influx of various challenges and unforeseen circumstances that a standard textbook isn’t equipped to handle. My educational philosophy revolves around the idea that a student ideally engages with the material using all their senses, transforming learning into solid knowledge. Therefore, all my resources feature a hands-on component—printable and tactile—encouraging collaborative engagement between students and teachers.
Recognizing the limitations of this ideal scenario, I’ve supplemented almost all my products with a Google Drive format, providing educators with alternative options. The Google Drive version encompasses the same content areas but allows for a paperless approach, utilizing Google Drive tools like Slides and Forms.
My portfolio predominantly includes a blend of printable and Google format materials, ranging from novel studies, social studies, to financial literacy resources. Additionally, I offer ELA and Math centers that are interactive on Google Drive while still being available in printable formats. Each download includes complete printable content and instructions on accessing and integrating the Google format files into your Google Drive, facilitating ease of use for educators.
After clicking on the provided link, your file will be visible in your Google Drive account under the name “Copy of File Name.” You can conveniently modify this title to your preference by clicking on the name box. Subsequently, you can assign these files to your students through Google Classroom.
How to use Novel Studies in an E-Learning Format?
In utilizing novel studies, your students will require a copy of the novel to accompany either the printable or Google Drive format provided. With the book in hand, they can seamlessly navigate through the study, engaging with comprehension questions, vocabulary activities, and extended writing tasks on Google Slides, mirroring the functionality available in the printable version. Teachers can track their progress through Google Classroom and I recommend conducting check-ins with small groups via platforms like Google Talk (or Google Hangouts/Google Chat) or Zoom. These sessions allow for discussions about the material read, ensuring comprehension and encouraging deeper exploration of the novel. It’s akin to the class discussions held in person, bridging the gap using technology.
All my novel studies feature assessments that can be completed through Google Forms. The multiple-choice assessments for comprehension and vocabulary are self-grading, significantly reducing grading time for teachers. However, the writing assessments, being more open-ended, cannot be self-graded. Typically consisting of one to two questions per assessment, these tasks can be submitted via Google Classroom for review and grading by the teacher.
How to use Social Studies and Financial Literacy Activities in an E-Learning Format?
My social studies and financial literacy resources are structured similarly to the novel studies in Google format, but they don’t require any specific books or textbooks. These materials feature Webquest links that offer learning content and include slideshow presentations in all social studies resources to facilitate students’ understanding and completion of activities.
Just like with the novel studies, Google Slides serve as the platform for both the presentations and activity completion. Additionally, in certain financial literacy activities such as the Escape Room exercises, Google Forms are integrated to delve deeper into the content alongside the use of Google Slides.
How to use ELA and Math Centers in an E-Learning Format?
The interactive ELA and Math Centers are designed to be completed using Google Slides. Students engage with the components to practice various skills, and teachers can oversee their progress through Google Classroom.
What can I do if my student doesn’t have access to equipment or the internet?
Many of us assume ready access to computers, laptops, and internet connectivity at home, yet some students lack this accessibility. In public schools, it’s our responsibility to ensure equity among our students. If your school lacks one-to-one capability or if a student doesn’t have home internet access, all my materials are provided in printable formats within the same product download. These activities are identical, just presented on paper rather than on a computer. You can distribute these packets to students for home use. To stay connected, consider communicating via phone calls, Facetime, or Skype for those with access via a parent’s cell phone. The content remains the same, only the format differs.
Technology offers various avenues to engage with students. While I advocate for a multisensory approach to learning—incorporating reading, writing, manipulation, and discussion—I recognize that there are instances where this isn’t feasible. In such cases, I hope my materials offer diverse options for utilization during e-learning scenarios.
Explore these free samples offered in my store, featuring both printable and Google Drive™ formats. They provide an opportunity for you to familiarize yourself with the functionalities of these resources.
Sample from my Wonder Novel Study
Sample Social Studies Activity
In this post titled “Tips for Using Google Drive in Your Classroom,” you’ll discover helpful suggestions on customizing Google Drive products to suit your specific requirements more effortlessly.
One of the biggest frustrations I have as a parent is that my oldest son is a reluctant reader. He reads fine and does well in school, but he has zero interest in reading for pleasure outside of an assignment. When he is assigned books, he gets through them and rarely enjoys the process.
When assigned to read Hatchet by Gary Paulsen, that attitude changed. He came home from school and started talking about Hatchet. The spark was ignited! He told me it was a fantastic book, and he hated to have to wait until the next day to continue reading. He wanted to sit down and read it as fast as he could! He’d never felt that way about a book before!
Each day my son would come home from school and voluntarily, which is uncommon with a middle schooler, tell me all about the chapter he had read that day! Seeing this book spark so much excitement in him made me realize this was a novel study that I needed to create!
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Hatchet by Gary Paulsen is a classic adventure novel that has been a staple in classrooms. It is a gripping story of survival and perseverance that teaches valuable life lessons to young readers. Hatchet is a perfect novel for students to study and should be a part of your curriculum.
Promotes Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving Skills:
Hatchet presents its young protagonist, Brian, with a series of challenges and obstacles that he must overcome in order to survive in the wilderness. These challenges require him to use his critical thinking and problem-solving skills, making the book an excellent tool for developing these skills in students. The book encourages students to think deeply about the characters’ choices and decisions and to consider alternative solutions to the problems they face.
Teaches Survival Skills:
Hatchet is centered around Brian’s survival in the wilderness, making it an excellent tool for teaching students about survival skills. From building shelter, to finding food and water, the book provides a hands-on learning experience for students. These lessons can help students understand the importance of self-sufficiency and resourcefulness in their own lives.
Develops Vocabulary and Reading Comprehension:
The language used in Hatchet is rich and descriptive, which makes it an excellent tool for developing vocabulary and reading comprehension. The book is also an excellent example of storytelling, and students can learn about the elements of plot, characterization, and setting as they read.
Fosters Empathy and Understanding:
Hatchet is a powerful story of perseverance and determination, and it encourages students to think about what it means to be a survivor. The book helps students understand the importance of perseverance and determination in their own lives and fosters empathy and understanding toward others who may be facing similar challenges.
Using Hatchet in the classroom is a great way to hook those reluctant readers and turn them on to reading!
Hatchet is a valuable novel to use in the classroom. It promotes critical thinking and problem-solving skills, teaches survival skills, develops vocabulary and reading comprehension, and fosters empathy and understanding. By incorporating Hatchet into your curriculum, you can help your students gain a deeper understanding of the world around them and develop valuable life skills that will serve them well into the future.
You can purchase this novel study which contains both a printable and a Google Drive™ format at the following locations:
Are you interested in reading about and sharing ideas with other educators on using children’s literature in your classroom? My goal is to bring together teachers and homeschoolers who teach grades 3-8 and use novels with their students. I’d love for you to join me to learn, share, and grow together!
One of my favorite (and my students’) themes to explore every year was the Chocolate Theme. We would read The Chocolate Touch by Patrick Skene Catling:
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Throughout the theme unit, we incorporated geography by mapping the different countries where the different ingredients of candy bars originate. We worked on letter writing by writing to different chocolate and candy companies with questions. This activity was particularly exciting because many of the companies would respond back to the students with offerings of trial samples or coupons to get free candy! Students learned the power they had as a consumer who shares feedback!
I always started the unit out with The Chocolate Touch written by Patrick Skene Catling which was first published in 1952. The story of loving chocolate never ages! John Midas loves chocolate and sweets more than anything and a wish turns his wildest dreams into a reality. Like King Midas before him, his touch is magic! This book leads to some great comparison activities with the King Midas story. Like King Midas, John soon learns that having too much of a great thing might not be as wonderful as he thought it would be!
I offer a complete novel study to accompany The Chocolate Touch for use in the classroom or homeschool. The unit includes both a printable format and a Google Drive™ format for use in a paperless classroom or with Google Classroom.
Try a free sample of the novel study for The Chocolate Touch
You can purchase this novel study at the following locations:
Chocolate Fever written by Richard Kimmel Smith in 1972, is a more humorous and adventurous tale of young Henry Green whose dream of eating nothing but chocolate comes true. Henry soon discovers that his new ability can be dangerous so he escapes and goes on the run!
I offer a complete novel study to accompany Chocolate Fever for use in the classroom or homeschool. The unit includes both a printable format and a Google Drive™ format for use in a paperless classroom or with Google Classroom.
Try a free sample of the novel study for Chocolate Fever
You can purchase this novel study at the following locations:
In my opinion, the best is saved for last, Roald Dahl’s 1964 classic, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. This story has everything; a character to empathize with, several characters to learn from, humor, and imagination, it really has it all. Singing the Oompa Loompa songs together is always a fun time that ends in fits of giggles!
I offer a complete novel study to accompany Charlie and the Chocolate Factory for use in the classroom or homeschool. The unit includes both a printable format and a Google Drive™ format for use in a paperless classroom or with Google Classroom.
Try a free sample of the novel study for Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
You can purchase this novel study at the following locations:
Tying different areas of the curriculum together, and enjoying three wonderful novels together, the Chocolate Theme is a fun learning experience for all. It was truly one of the most favorite times I had with my students and it was something past students brought up as a favorite of their 4th-grade year with me. I encourage you to give it a try!
Are you interested in reading about and sharing ideas with other educators on using children’s literature in your classroom? My goal is to bring together teachers and homeschoolers who teach grades 3-8 and use novels with their students. I’d love for you to join me to learn, share, and grow together!
Here are a few of the most frequent questions that I am asked from buyers, and potential buyers, about my resources. Hopefully, you will find these answers helpful.
If you cannot find the answer to your question. Please email me directly.
If you still have questions, please email me directly.
Beverly Cleary is a legend in children’s literature. Two of my favorite books are Dear Mr. Henshaw and the sequel, Strider, which take you on the journey of young Leigh Botts in his acceptance of his parent’s divorce and the road to acceptance of himself. They are great books to use in your classroom or homeschool for a whole class novel study, small book groups, or individual book studies.
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Beverly Cleary has always strived to write books “about kids like us”. Her books are beloved because they are so relatable to her readers. Leigh struggles with his parent’s separation and his father’s absence due to his job as a truck driver. In Dear Mr. Henshaw Leigh connects with a favorite author and develops a pen pal relationship that helps him work through his feelings and anxieties.
From the Book Jacket for Dear Mr. Henshaw:
Beverly Cleary’s timeless Newbery Medal-winning book explores difficult topics like divorce, insecurity, and bullying through the thoughts and emotions of a sixth-grade boy as he writes to his favorite author, Boyd Henshaw.
After his parents separate, Leigh Botts moves to a new town with his mother. Struggling to make friends and deal with his anger toward his absent father, Leigh loses himself in a class assignment in which he must write to his favorite author. When Mr. Henshaw responds, the two form an unexpected friendship that will change Leigh’s life forever.
From the beloved author of the Henry Huggins, Ramona Quimby, and Ralph S. Mouse series comes an epistolary novel about how to navigate and heal from life’s growing pains.
Leigh’s story of growth and acceptance continues in Strider when he takes in a stray dog (Strider) that helps him accept his place in the world, introduces him to a love for running, and gives him hope for the future.
From the Book Jacket for Strider:
Strider has a new habit. Whenever we stop, he places his paw on my foot. It isn’t an accident because he always does it. I like to think he doesn’t want to leave me.
Can a stray dog change the life of a teenage boy? It looks as if Strider can. He’s a dog that loves to run; because of Strider, Leigh Botts finds himself running — well enough to join the school track team. Strider changes Leigh on the inside, too, as he finally begins to accept his parents’ divorce and gets to know a redheaded girl he’s been admiring. With Strider’s help, Leigh finds that the future he once hated to be asked about now holds something he never expected: hope.
Try a free sample of the novel study for Dear Mr. Henshaw
Beverly Cleary does a masterful job of showing Leigh’s growth through her portrayal of his letter writing and narration which makes a wonderful example for point of view instruction. Many kids can relate to Leigh’s feelings of loneliness, insecurity, sadness over a divorce, missing a parent, trying to find their way and/or talent, and having a beloved pet that gives them unconditional love. The universal relatability is what makes Dear Mr. Henshaw and Strider such wonderful novels to use in your classroom.
I offer complete novel studies to accompany Dear Mr. Henshaw and Strider for use in the classroom or homeschool. Each unit includes both a printable format and a Google Drive™ format for use in a paperless classroom or with Google Classroom.
You can purchase these novel studies at the following locations:
Or buy them bundled together at a 20% discount!
Are you interested in reading about and sharing ideas with other educators on using children’s literature in your classroom? My goal is to bring together teachers and homeschoolers who teach grades 3-8 and use novels with their students. I’d love for you to join me to learn, share, and grow together!
