number the stars – The Teaching Bank

Number the Stars Novel Study: Teaching Lois Lowry’s Historical Fiction Novel

by Shelley | English/Language Arts, Novel Studies

Number the Stars by Lois Lowry is a powerful historical fiction novel that gives upper-elementary and middle-grade students an opportunity to explore courage, friendship, resistance, empathy, and standing up against injustice.

Set in Denmark during World War II, the novel follows Annemarie Johansen and her family as they help their Jewish friends escape the Nazi occupation. Through Annemarie’s eyes, students encounter a difficult period in history while experiencing a story that is accessible, engaging, and filled with opportunities for meaningful discussion.

If you’re planning a Number the Stars novel study for your 4th, 5th, or 6th grade students, this guide will give you ideas for connecting the novel to reading comprehension, vocabulary, critical thinking, history, and social-emotional learning.

Number the Stars by Lois Lowry

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Why Teach Number the Stars?

One of the greatest strengths of Number the Stars is that it allows students to encounter history through the experiences of a child.

Rather than simply reading facts about World War II, students follow Annemarie as she begins to understand what is happening around her. This creates natural opportunities to discuss questions such as:

What does it mean to be courageous?
Why do people sometimes have to make difficult choices?
How can ordinary people respond when others are being treated unfairly?
What makes someone a good friend?
How do fear and courage influence the decisions people make?
Why is it important to learn about difficult moments in history?

These questions can move students beyond simple recall and toward deeper reading comprehension and critical thinking.

Teaching Historical Fiction Through Number the Stars

Number the Stars works particularly well as a historical fiction novel because students can examine both the story and the historical context surrounding it.

As students read, encourage them to distinguish between what is happening in the fictional story and what they can learn about the real historical events that inspired it.

You can explore:

World War II
Nazi-occupied Denmark
The Danish Resistance
The rescue of Danish Jews
The Holocaust
Geography of Denmark and Sweden
Courage and resistance
Friendship and loyalty
Prejudice and discrimination
Human rights

This makes Number the Stars an excellent choice for connecting ELA and social studies.

Number the Stars Reading Comprehension

A novel study shouldn’t turn a great book into a stack of worksheets.

The goal is to help students think more deeply about what they’re reading while still allowing them to become immersed in the story.

When teaching Number the Stars, comprehension questions can focus on:

Character motivations
Making inferences
Cause and effect
Predicting
Making connections
Identifying themes
Using text evidence
Analyzing character development
Understanding historical context

I recommend using a small number of thoughtful questions rather than overwhelming students with questions after every few pages.

The questions should encourage students to explain why they think something happened—not simply identify what happened.

Vocabulary and Grammar in Context

Number the Stars also provides an excellent opportunity to teach vocabulary in context.

Instead of giving students a long list of unrelated vocabulary words, have them encounter words as they appear within the story.

Students can:

Determine meaning from context
Identify parts of speech
Use new words in sentences
Practice spelling
Explore synonyms and related words
Apply vocabulary through writing

This approach allows vocabulary instruction to become part of the reading experience rather than something completely separate from the novel.

My Number the Stars Novel Study

I’ve created a complete Number the Stars novel study designed for students in approximately 4th–6th grade.

The unit can be used with a whole class, small reading group, homeschool student, or independent reader. It includes both printable materials and digital resources for Google Drive.

What’s Included?

The complete Number the Stars Novel Study includes:

Teacher Resources

Detailed daily lesson plans
Pacing and Standards Guide
Chapter/Section Guide
Vocabulary Word Wall Cards
Answer Keys
Parent Letter

Student Resources

Spelling list
Vocabulary activities
Grammar activities
Chapter-by-chapter comprehension questions
Short-answer questions designed to encourage deeper thinking
Book-related extension activities
End-of-book activities
Story Elements Interactive Notebook activities

Assessment Resources

Part 1 assessment covering Chapters 1–6
Part 2 assessment covering Chapters 7–end
Vocabulary questions
Comprehension questions
Essay questions
Digital assessment options

The unit also includes Common Core Standards alignment for grades 4–6.

Print or Digital? You Get Both!

Today’s classrooms aren’t one-size-fits-all, so this novel study includes both printable and Google Drive-compatible formats.

Use the printable version for traditional instruction, or assign the digital activities through your classroom platform.

The digital format can be especially helpful for:

1:1 classrooms
Paperless classrooms
Students working from home
Absent students
Small-group instruction
Independent work

The assessments also include digital options, with multiple-choice Google Forms quizzes available for self-grading.

Save Time With a Ready-to-Teach Novel Unit

Teaching an entire novel is rewarding, but the planning can be time-consuming.

This Number the Stars novel unit was created to give you a complete framework so you don’t have to create every comprehension question, vocabulary activity, lesson plan, and assessment yourself.

It is designed to be low-prep and ready to teach, while still giving you flexibility to adjust the pacing and activities for your students.

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Benefits of Novel Studies: How to Improve Reading Engagement and Critical Thinking

by Shelley | English/Language Arts, Novel Studies, Organization

The reality of educational research is this: if you look hard enough, you can find support for almost any teaching strategy. Rarely is there a clear-cut answer about what works best. In most cases, effective teaching comes down to a teacher’s professional judgment, their students’ needs, and the flexibility they are given in the classroom.

Unfortunately, in today’s test-driven educational climate, teachers are often given less freedom than ever before. Rigid curriculum guidelines and scripted programs can make it difficult to adapt instruction, leaving little room for meaningful engagement or enrichment.

My Experience Using Novel Studies in the Classroom

I experienced this challenge firsthand while teaching 4th grade in a high-poverty, low-performing school. Many of my students entered my classroom reading at a 1st–2nd grade level, and very few were on grade level.

The biggest obstacle wasn’t just skill; it was motivation.

Our district relied heavily on a basal reading program that felt unrelatable and uninspiring to students. The stories lacked emotional connection, and students saw reading as a chore rather than something enjoyable or rewarding.

I knew something had to change.

How Read-Alouds Spark a Love of Reading

I started small by implementing a daily read-aloud time. My goal wasn’t rigorous analysis; I simply wanted students to enjoy a story.

This shift made a huge difference.

Upper elementary students are often overlooked when it comes to being read to, yet they benefit tremendously from it. By choosing high-interest, often humorous books, I was able to create a positive reading experience. Soon, read-aloud became one of the most anticipated parts of our day.

Why Novel Studies Work Better Than Basal Readers

Once I saw the impact of read-alouds, I began incorporating novel studies alongside our required curriculum.

Instead of limiting students to short excerpts, I introduced full novels connected to the themes in our basal program. The results were immediate and powerful:

Students reading below grade level began attempting more challenging texts
Engagement and participation increased dramatically
Discussions became deeper and more meaningful
Students started choosing to read independently

It became clear that reading an entire book provides a richer, more rewarding experience than isolated passages.

Improved Critical Thinking Through Deeper Reading

One of the biggest advantages of novel studies is the ability to promote higher-order thinking.

With a full-length text, students can:

Analyze character development
Explore complex themes
Make predictions and connections
Engage in meaningful discussions

Using Bloom’s Taxonomy becomes far more natural when students are immersed in a complete story rather than a short excerpt.

Building Real-World Connections and Empathy

Perhaps the most powerful benefit of novel studies is their ability to build empathy and awareness.

Through literature, students can explore real-world issues in a meaningful and age-appropriate way. For example:

Wonder, El Deafo, Fish in a Tree, and Out of My Mind help students understand disabilities and acceptance
Refugee, Prisoner B-3087, The Bletchley Riddle, Projekt 1065, Number the Stars, and Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes introduce historical events like the Holocaust and Hiroshima
Ghost, Hatchet, Restart, Genesis Begins Again, and Esperanza Rising highlight resilience and perseverance
The One and Only Ivan and Hoot encourage reflection on human impact and animal welfare
Charlotte’s Web, Because of Winn-Dixie, and Holes show the value of true friendship

These stories stay with students far longer than any worksheet ever could.

Do Novel Studies Improve Test Scores?

While I didn’t conduct formal research, I can confidently say this: My students’ test scores did not decline, and their love of reading increased significantly.

And that matters.

Because when students enjoy reading, they read more. And when they read more, their skills naturally improve.

Key Benefits of Using Novel Studies in the Classroom

Incorporating novel studies into your curriculum offers numerous advantages:

Improved Reading Skills: Students build comprehension, vocabulary, and fluency through sustained reading.
Increased Student Engagement: Novels capture interest and create emotional investment in learning.
Stronger Critical Thinking Skills: Students analyze, infer, and evaluate as they explore complex texts.
Enhanced Writing and Communication: Discussions and written responses deepen understanding and expression.
Greater Cultural Awareness: Literature exposes students to diverse perspectives and experiences.
Development of Empathy: Students connect with characters and better understand others’ experiences.
Encouragement of Independent Reading: Engaged students are more likely to read on their own.

Final Thoughts: Why Novel Studies Matter

Using novel studies in the classroom is one of the most effective ways to transform reading instruction.

While standardized programs may check boxes, novels create meaningful learning experiences. They engage students, deepen understanding, and foster a lifelong love of reading.

And ultimately, that’s what great teaching is all about.

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!

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