A Wrinkle in Time
In this final 5th grade unit, students read about the nuances of good versus evil and how unconditional love can overpower darkness in A Wrinkle in Time, the first science fiction novel in our curriculum.
Unit Summary
In this culminating unit of fifth grade, students read the classic text A Wrinkle in Time. Over the course of the novel, students explore the nuances of good versus evil and how ultimately unconditional love can overpower darkness and hate. Students will also experience the power of believing in oneself and trusting those around you, by watching the main character’s self-confidence evolve over the course of the novel. This novel is the first science fiction novel that students are exposed to over the course of the curriculum. Exposing students to science fiction is important for not only building engagement and reaching a variety of readers, but also for exploring common themes across multiple genres. It is our hope that this novel, in connection with others in the sequence, empowers students to believe in themselves and the power of love and kindness. It is also our hope that this unit inspires students to read and engage with books from a wide range of genres.
As noted above, A Wrinkle in Time is the first science fiction novel that students read and analyze together. Therefore, over the course of the novel, students will be pushed to notice and analyze different genre features. In particular, the multiple settings are integral for both the development of plot and the suspense and intrigue common in science fiction. As a result, students will have multiple opportunities to compare and contrast the different settings. In this unit, students will also spend a lot of time analyzing and noticing author’s craft, particularly the use of sentence structure and syntax as a way to develop tone and emotion. Paired with the graphic novel version of the text, students will also compare and contrast the way Madeleine L’Engle uses description and voice to develop a scene versus how the graphic novel develops a scene. Since this is the culminating unit of the year, students will also review characterization, theme, using context clues to figure out the meaning of words, and plot.
Texts and Materials
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Core Materials
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Book: A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle (Square Fish, Reprint edition, 2007) — 740L
Supporting Materials
Book: A Wrinkle in Time: The Graphic Novel by Hope Larson and Madeleine L'Engle (Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR), 2012)
Resource: Recommended Texts for Independent Reading (Grade 5 Unit 6)
See Text Selection Rationale
Assessment
These assessments accompany this unit to help gauge student understanding of key unit content and skills. Additional progress monitoring suggestions are included throughout the unit.
- Download Content Assessment
- Download Content Assessment Answer Key
Download Cold Read Assessment- Download Cold Read Assessment Answer Key
Unit Prep
Essential Questions
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- What characteristics and traits help people succeed in the face of challenge?
- What are the characteristics of sci-fi/fantasy texts and how do these apply to a Wrinkle in Time?
Vocabulary
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Text-based
aberration agony anguished antagonistic appalling apprehension arrogance assimilate belligerent compulsion contradicted corrosive delinquent despondency diction dignity dimension disillusion dubiously earnestly emanate essence fallible fatal frantic hypnotize hysterical illusion impenetrable inadvertently incomprehensible indignantly insolent intoned loathing metamorphose monotonous nondescript ominous omnipotent peril primitive resentment resilience seldom solemnly somber subdued tangible tenacity trepidation unsubstantial verbalize
Root/Affix
-able -ment -ous -sion -tion in- non- un-
Related Teacher Tools:
Content Knowledge and Connections
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Future Fishtank ELA Connections
Notes for Teachers
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- Madeleine L’Engle wrote this book during the 1960s, when the idea of space travel was new and interesting to people in the United States. It was also a time when the Soviet Union and the United States were competing with each other in the field of space exploration. Research and learn about the time period in order to provide context for the time and place in which the book was written.
- Madeleine L’Engle also choses to reflect political themes of the time period. For example, life on Camazotz is similar to how Americans envisioned life in the Soviet Union at the time, where people’s freedom and individuality were limited. Research and learn about the time period in order to provide context for comparison.
- In some analyses of A Wrinkle in Time, the triumph of love is considered an allusion to Christian theology. L’Engle makes a few explicit references to the New Testament, but the references simply stand as a starting point for exploring the larger universal theme of good vs. evil and love vs. hate. The references to Christianity are not discussed or referred to within this unit plan.
Lesson Map
1
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A Wrinkle in Time pp. 7 – 18 — until, "Just give"
RL.5.3
L.5.3.b
Describe Meg using specific details from the text.
2
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A Wrinkle in Time pp. 18 – 27
RL.5.3
Explain how each character responds to Mrs Whatsit and how their responses help build a deeper understanding of character.
3
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A Wrinkle in Time pp. 28 – 44
RL.5.3
RL.5.5
Analyze Charles Wallace and Meg’s relationship.
4
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Graphic Novel pp. 52 – 62
RL.5.7
Analyze how visual elements contribute to the meaning and tone of a text.
5
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A Wrinkle in Time pp. 45 – 63
RL.5.3
RL.5.5
L.5.3.b
Use details from the chapter to describe what happened to Mr. Murray.
6
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A Wrinkle in Time pp. 64 – 73
RL.5.3
Describe what it was like to tesser and the details the author includes to help the reader visualize what it was like to tesser.
7
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A Wrinkle in Time pp. 73 – 83
RL.5.3
Describe the setting of Uriel and explain how the setting influences the mood of the story.
8
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A Wrinkle in Time — 64-67, 73-83
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Graphic Novel — 102-110, 117-134
RL.5.7
RL.5.9
W.5.9
Compare and contrast the two representations of A Wrinkle in Time by analyzing and explaining how the genre features of both contribute to the meaning, tone, or beauty of a text.
9
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A Wrinkle in Time pp. 84 – 1011
RL.5.2
RL.5.3
RL.5.5
Analyze why Madeleine L’Engle might have included the scene with the Medium.
10
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A Wrinkle in Time pp. 102 – 115 — until top of page
RL.5.2
RL.5.3
Explain what gifts and advice Mrs Whatsit, Mrs Who, and Mrs Which give each of the children and the significance of each gift.
11
Discussion
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A Wrinkle in Time
RL.5.2
SL.5.1
SL.5.6
Discuss unit essential questions using evidence from the first half of the book.
12
Writing
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A Wrinkle in Time
W.5.1
W.5.9
Write a multiple-paragraph essay to answer a unit essential question.
13
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A Wrinkle in Time pp. 115 – 126
RL.5.2
RL.5.3
Describe Camazotz and how the setting influences the mood of the story.
14
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A Wrinkle in Time pp. 115 – 126
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Graphic Novel pp. 182 – 199
RL.5.7
RL.5.9
Compare and contrast the two representations of Camazotz from A Wrinkle in Time by analyzing and explaining how the genre features of both contribute to the meaning, tone, or beauty of a text.
15
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A Wrinkle in Time pp. 127 – 146
RL.5.3
RL.5.5
Summarize what happened between Charles Wallace and The Man with Red Eyes.
16
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A Wrinkle in Time pp. 147 – 158
RL.5.3
Describe Charles Wallace’s transformation and how it impacts Meg and Calvin.
17
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A Wrinkle in Time pp. 159 – 168
RL.5.3
RL.5.7
Identify and analyze quotations that highlight Meg’s response to being reunited with her father.
18
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A Wrinkle in Time pp. 169 – 179
RL.5.3
RL.5.7
Summarize what happens when they meet IT.
19
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A Wrinkle in Time pp. 180 – 193
RL.5.3
RL.5.5
Defend if Meg’s thoughts towards her father are or are not justifiable.
20
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A Wrinkle in Time pp. 194 – 211
RL.5.2
RL.5.3
Analyze Meg’s relationship with Aunt Beast.
21
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A Wrinkle in Time pp. 212 – 223
RL.5.2
RL.5.3
Defend if it was the right decision to have Meg return for Charles Wallace.
22
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A Wrinkle in Time pp. 224 – 232
RL.5.2
RL.5.3
Explain how Meg saves Charles Wallace.
23
Discussion
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A Wrinkle in Time — entire text
RL.5.2
SL.5.1
SL.5.6
Determine a theme of A Wrinkle in Time and explain how the theme is developed over the course of the novel. Discuss unit essential questions.
24
Writing
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A Wrinkle in Time
W.5.1
W.5.9
Write a multiple-paragraph essay to answer a unit essential question.
25
Assessment
26
3 days
Opinion Writing
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A Wrinkle in Time
W.5.1
Write an opinion piece defending if A Wrinkle in Time should or should not be on the banned book list.
Common Core Standards
Language Standards
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L.5.3.b — Compare and contrast the varieties of English (e.g., dialects, registers) used in stories, dramas, or poems.
Reading Standards for Literature
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RL.5.2 — Determine a theme of a story, drama, or poem from details in the text, including how characters in a story or drama respond to challenges or how the speaker in a poem reflects upon a topic; summarize the text.
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RL.5.3 — Compare and contrast two or more characters, settings, or events in a story or drama, drawing on specific details in the text (e.g., how characters interact).
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RL.5.5 — Explain how a series of chapters, scenes, or stanzas fits together to provide the overall structure of a particular story, drama, or poem.
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RL.5.6 — Describe how a narrator's or speaker's point of view influences how events are described.
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RL.5.7 — Analyze how visual and multimedia elements contribute to the meaning, tone, or beauty of a text (e.g., graphic novel, multimedia presentation of fiction, folktale, myth, poem).
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RL.5.9 — Compare and contrast stories in the same genre (e.g., mysteries and adventure stories) on their approaches to similar themes and topics.
Speaking and Listening Standards
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SL.5.1 — Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade 5 topics and texts, building on others' ideas and expressing their own clearly.
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SL.5.6 — Adapt speech to a variety of contexts and tasks, using formal English when appropriate to task and situation.
Writing Standards
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W.5.1 — Write opinion pieces on topics or texts, supporting a point of view with reasons and information
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W.5.9 — Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research.
Spiral Standards
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L.5.1L.5.2L.5.4L.5.4.bL.5.5L.5.6RF.5.3RF.5.4RL.5.1RL.5.10RL.5.4W.5.10W.5.4W.5.5
