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5th Grade Activities for The Chronicles of Narnia

The C.S. Lewis' series, "The Chronicles on Narnia," is captivating to readers of all ages. Fifth graders who attempt the books are reaching a skill level that enables them to read and comprehend the books on their own. Many students will already be familiar with the stories from watching the films based on the novels, and the action will keep them riveted. The books can be read as children's stories about talking animals, or interpreted more deeply as metaphors for many elements of society. Design a unit for your fifth-grade classroom around one of the novels or the entire series.
  1. Timelines

    • Making a timeline can help students remember the events in a novel and solidify literary concepts such as rising action, climax and resolution. As your classes read any of "The Chronicles of Narnia" books, keep a running timeline by placing a long roll of paper across one wall. Keep track of the events of the book and mark what time and day it is when the events occur. Each day have a different student draw a picture to accompany the event. If you are reading the entire series, make a timeline to show when each book takes place in relation to the others.

    British History

    • Use the setting for the books as a springboard for learning about British culture, society and history during the time that the books take place. Though the plots take place largely in a fantasy land, the real-life events play a significant role in the plot and its development. Assign research projects asking students to investigate the war, the city where the children lived, or even something tangential, such as transportation at that time in history.

    Contrast Books and Movies

    • After your class has finished reading "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe," have a movie day on which you watch one of the film versions of the book. Have students take notes regarding differences and similarities between the book and the movie. When the movie is over, have students compare their notes with their neighbors; decide as a class which changes to the plot made the largest impact. The same activity can be done with "Prince Caspian" or "The Voyage of the Dawn Treader," which also have film versions.

    Art Projects

    • Fifth-grade students will enjoy demonstrating their understanding of "The Chronicles of Narnia" books through art. Have students choose two characters and paint or draw a depiction of the relationship between the two. Alternatively, use shoeboxes as dioramas, making the outside look like a wardrobe. Make two doors at the front of the wardrobe, and glue two small buttons for door handles. To the back of the diorama, paint or color a snowy picture of Narnia and make a lamppost with paper and glue it in place.

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