Summer Reading Challenge: "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe" CS Lewis

"But the moment they were inside they heard the voices in the passage - and then someone fumbling at the door - and then they saw the handle turning. 'Quick!' said Peter, 'there's nowhere else,' and flung open the wardrobe. All four of them bundled inside it and sat there, panting, in the dark."     CS Lewis, "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe"

CS Lewis and his Chronicles of Narnia have delighted both children and adults for more than 70 years. Join me for this study of one of the most well-known and well-loved books of the series (and the first one that Lewis published). We will follow the adventures of siblings Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy as they journey through the wardrobe into the land of Narnia and begin a race to save Narnia from the power of the White Witch. Through their adventures, we will examine the themes of family, friendship, forgiveness, sacrifice, and courage.

Class time will be spent in group discussions about plot, characters and themes and an examination of Lewis' masterful use of these literary elements and figurative language, all in the context of relaxed student interaction. Students will also be encouraged to participate in personal creative expression activities.

First Class:       Introduction to author CS Lewis
                         Read chapters 1-2 before class
                         Focus: Setting (time and place) 
                         Assign homework reading chapters 3-5

Second Class:  Comprehension check and discussion of Chapters 3-5
                          Focus: Character Analysis
                           Assign homework reading ch 6-8

Third Class:      Comprehension check and discussion of Chapters 6-8 
                           Focus: Plot Analysis
                           Assign homework reading ch 9-11

Fourth Class:   Comprehension check and discussion of Chapters 9-11
                          Focus: Character Growth
                          Assign homework reading ch 12-14

Fifth Class:    Comprehension check and discussion of Chapters 12-14
                        Focus: Themes
                        Assign homework reading ch 15-17

Sixth Class:     Comprehension check and discussion of Chapters 15-17
                         Focus: Creative art or writing representing a character or plot event
                         Wrap it all up! Final discussion and analysis of themes
                         Students will share their thoughts and opinions about Lewis' storytelling
                       
                    
Students will read the first two chapters before the opening class and will be responsible to read assigned chapters before each class. I will provide study guide questions and supplemental worksheets to help students prepare for class discussion. We will meet each week to talk about the storyline and about various literary elements found in the text.

Students will be encouraged to share their thoughts and ask questions freely. Students will also complete short creative activities and worksheets that will reinforce their observations about the plot and the characters.