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Reading schedule · Grades 3–6

The Wind in the Willows in 4 Weeks: A Reading Schedule

A four-week plan for reading The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame, one section 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 3–6, in class or at home.

Pacing

At the grammar stage (grades 3–6) short, regular readings work better than long ones. Many families read aloud together and ask children to tell back what they heard before talking about the questions. Each week covers one section; if a section feels long, take two weeks over it and keep the escape room for the end.

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 The Wind in the Willows

Week 1: Chapters 1–3

Read: Chapters 1–3

Mole leaves his spring cleaning for the river and spends the day with Rat, rowing and picnicking. Toad's new caravan is wrecked by a motor-car, and on a winter afternoon Mole gets lost in the snow.

Discussion questions

1. Why does Mole love the river so much?
2. What is Toad like?
3. Why is the Wild Wood frightening?

Escape room: Down by the River (lockedlessons.com/rooms/wind-in-the-willows-chapters-1-3/)

Week 2: Chapters 4–6

Read: Chapters 4–6

Rat and Mole shelter at Badger's house for supper and stories, and at Christmas time Mole finds his old home. Toad's craze for motor-cars grows until he escapes his friends and is put on trial.

Discussion questions

1. Why is Mole so moved by finding his old home?
2. Why do Toad's friends try to keep him in?
3. Is Toad's punishment fair?

Escape room: Home Sweet Home (lockedlessons.com/rooms/wind-in-the-willows-chapters-4-6/)

Week 3: Chapters 7–9

Read: Chapters 7–9

Rat and Mole search for Otter's son Portly and meet the Piper at the Gates of Dawn. Toad escapes from prison dressed as a washerwoman, and in autumn Rat longs to go travelling.

Discussion questions

1. What do Rat and Mole feel in the presence of the Piper?
2. How does Toad escape from prison?
3. Why does Rat want to leave the river, and what stops him?

Escape room: Music at Dawn (lockedlessons.com/rooms/wind-in-the-willows-chapters-7-9/)

Week 4: Chapters 10–12

Read: Chapters 10–12

Toad's adventures continue with the barge-woman, the gipsy and a motor-car until Rat rescues him. The friends use a secret tunnel and fight a great battle to drive the Wild Wooders out of Toad Hall.

Discussion questions

1. Has Toad learned anything by the end?
2. How do the friends plan the attack on Toad Hall?
3. What makes the four animals such good friends?

Escape room: The Great Battle (lockedlessons.com/rooms/wind-in-the-willows-chapters-10-12/)