FeedTimeless Thursday: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C. S. Lewis
December 17, 2009 in Art activities, Books With Social Studies Content, Creative Writing activities, Elementary Educators, Lewis, C.S., Making Personal Connections, Middle Grade Novel, Timeless Thursdays, Writing Skills Tags: C. S. Lewis, fantasy novels, The Chronicles of Narnia, The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe, Timeless Thursday, World War II books, writing activities
photo by scalespeeder www.flickr.com
Come on, admit it, how many of you that read The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C. S. Lewis went to the back of your closet (of if you were lucky–a wardrobe) and tried to go to the land of Narnia? I’ll raise my hand! I did it!!!
The best thing about this Timeless Thursday book is not only has it been around since 1950, but you get to take a trip back to World War II London and a whole other land, Narnia. That’s the kind of adventures I like books to take me on, and that’s the kind of adventures that kids love, too!
When there are so many wonderful new books out today, why take the time to share a book like The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C. S. Lewis? There are a ton of reasons, so here are a few for teachers, parents, and homeschoolers:
*Read it with a study of World War II.
*Use it to open a discussion about telling the truth.
*Compare and contrast the movie version with the book. Which do children like better? Why?
*Talk about the Christian symbolism in the novel.
*Practice writing skills: ask children to pick their favorite character, and write a journal entry pretending to be that character.
*Use this book in a study of the fantasy genre–new and old.
*Art activity: ask students to pretend their closet could lead them anywhere. Draw a picture of the strange new land and the creatures in it. To extend the activity, they could write a story to go with it.
The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe will always be my favorite C. S. Lewis book, and actually, one of my favorite all-time books. I’ve read it countless times, listened to it on audio book, and watched the movie. I still cry when Aslan sacrifices himself and then comes back. My mouth still opens in surprise when the four children go back through the wardrobe and are the same age as they were when they left. And okay, I still go in the back of my closet every once in a while and see if it can take me to Narnia.
How about you?
December 17th, 2009 at 10:31 am
Of course I tried to go to Narnia! I think kids who read the books and didn’t try are weird.
My grandparents’ house had deep, dark closets with hidden tunnels connecting them. I used to burrow in the back under the hem of my grandma’s hanging furs and wish the tunnel would lead to Narnia. It never did, but the thrill of that slight chance was always with me. I get shivers just thinking about it!
December 17th, 2009 at 10:36 am
WOW, Michelle. I have to say I’m jealous that you had tunnels. I’m sorry they never went to Narnia. But you had tunnels!
Margo