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Reading schedule · Grades 4–8

C. S. Lewis Novel Study in 7 Weeks: A Reading Schedule

A seven-week plan for reading C. S. Lewis's Chronicles of Narnia, all seven books across a term, one book a week. Each week gives the reading, a short summary of what happens, three discussion questions and the escape room that goes with it. For grades 4–8, in class or at home.

Pacing

A book a week across a term is a brisk but manageable pace for confident readers in grades 4–8: a few chapters most days, the questions as a conversation at the end of the week, then the escape room. Younger readers may enjoy hearing some chapters read aloud, and if a book a week is too quick, give each book two weeks and the plan fills a longer term. The books are taken in the order they were first published; each week stands on its own, so the plan works in the story's own order too.

Each week ends with an escape room on that week's reading: seven self-checking locks that run in any browser, with no logins, and progress is saved, so a room can be finished another day. Every room has free taster locks to try, and members can open them all.

Print this schedule Escape rooms on C. S. Lewis Novel Study

Week 1: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (Book 1)

Read: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (Book 1)

Four children staying in an old professor's house find a way through a wardrobe into Narnia, which the White Witch holds in an endless winter. Lucy has tea with Mr Tumnus, Edmund is tempted by the Witch, and the others travel with the Beavers and receive gifts from Father Christmas; Aslan gives his life at the Stone Table in Edmund's place and returns to lead the great battle.

Discussion questions

1. Why does Edmund betray his brother and sisters, and what makes him change?
2. What does the endless winter say about the Witch's rule, and what does the thaw mean?
3. What does Aslan's sacrifice at the Stone Table show about him?

Escape room: The Long Winter (lockedlessons.com/rooms/the-lion-the-witch-and-the-wardrobe/)

Week 2: Prince Caspian (Book 2)

Read: Prince Caspian (Book 2)

The four children are pulled back into Narnia, where they find the ruins of their old castle, Cair Paravel, and rescue the dwarf Trumpkin. He tells them how Prince Caspian escaped from his uncle, King Miraz, and joined the Old Narnians in hiding; Peter fights Miraz in a duel, and Aslan returns to set Narnia free.

Discussion questions

1. What brings the children back to Narnia, and why now?
2. Why do the others find it hard to believe Lucy when she sees Aslan?
3. What has happened to Narnia in the years since the children left?

Escape room: The Call of the Horn (lockedlessons.com/rooms/prince-caspian/)

Week 3: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (Book 3)

Read: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (Book 3)

Edmund, Lucy and their cousin Eustace join King Caspian on the Dawn Treader as he searches for the seven lost lords. They visit the Lone Islands, Eustace is turned into a dragon and changed back, they meet the Dufflepuds, escape the Dark Island and reach Ramandu's island before sailing on to the sweet waters at the end of the world.

Discussion questions

1. How does Eustace change during the voyage, and what causes it?
2. Which island is the greatest test, and why?
3. Why does Reepicheep want to sail to the end of the world?

Escape room: The Painted Ship (lockedlessons.com/rooms/the-voyage-of-the-dawn-treader/)

Week 4: The Silver Chair (Book 4)

Read: The Silver Chair (Book 4)

Jill and Eustace escape from Experiment House into Narnia, and Aslan gives Jill instructions for finding the lost Prince Rilian. With the marsh-wiggle Puddleglum they journey to the giants of Harfang and down into Underland, where they face the Lady of the Green Kirtle.

Discussion questions

1. Why do the children fail to follow some of Aslan's instructions?
2. What makes Puddleglum a good companion despite his gloom?
3. How does the Lady try to make the travellers forget the world above?

Escape room: The Lost Prince (lockedlessons.com/rooms/the-silver-chair/)

Week 5: The Horse and His Boy (Book 5)

Read: The Horse and His Boy (Book 5)

Shasta, a boy brought up in Calormen, escapes north with the talking horse Bree and meets Aravis and her horse Hwin, who are running away too. Their adventures take them through the city of Tashbaan and a night at the Tombs to a race across the desert, and on to the battle at Anvard.

Discussion questions

1. Why do Shasta and Aravis dislike each other at first, and how does that change?
2. How does Bree's pride get in the way?
3. Looking back, where can Shasta see that he was being helped?

Escape room: Run for the North (lockedlessons.com/rooms/the-horse-and-his-boy/)

Week 6: The Magician's Nephew (Book 6)

Read: The Magician's Nephew (Book 6)

Uncle Andrew's magic rings send Digory and Polly out of our world into the Wood between the Worlds and on to the dead city of Charn, where Digory wakes the witch Jadis. After she runs wild in London, the children are carried into a dark nothing and see Narnia being made, and Digory is sent on a journey for an apple.

Discussion questions

1. Why does Digory strike the bell in Charn, and what does that choice teach?
2. What kind of man is Uncle Andrew, and why does Narnia frighten him?
3. What tempts Digory on his journey for the apple, and why does he resist?

Escape room: The Magic Rings (lockedlessons.com/rooms/the-magicians-nephew/)

Week 7: The Last Battle (Book 7)

Read: The Last Battle (Book 7)

The ape Shift dresses the donkey Puzzle in a lion skin and passes him off as Aslan to deceive the Narnians. King Tirian is captured, Jill and Eustace come to help him, and the Calormenes and their god Tash take hold of Narnia, leading to the fight at the stable and the end of Narnia.

Discussion questions

1. How does Shift use a lie to gain power?
2. Why do some of the Narnians stop believing in anything at all?
3. How does this book's ending compare with the endings of the other Chronicles?

Escape room: The Stable Door (lockedlessons.com/rooms/the-last-battle/)

Locked Lessons is not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by the C. S. Lewis Company or the publishers of the Chronicles of Narnia. These rooms are an independent study resource: they quote nothing from the books, so students need their own copy.