A Wrinkle in Time Novel Study
Standards:
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.3.1- Ask and answer questions to demonstrate understanding of a text, referring explicitly
to the text as the basis for the answers.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.3.3- Describe characters in a story (e.g., their traits, motivations, or feelings) and explain
how their actions contribute to the sequence of events
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.3.4- Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, distinguishing
literal from nonliteral language.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.3.5- Refer to parts of stories, dramas, and poems when writing or speaking about a text,
using terms such as chapter, scene, and stanza; describe how each successive part builds on earlier sections.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RF.3.3- Know and apply grade-level phonics and word analysis skills in decoding words.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RF.3.4.C- Use context to confirm or self-correct word recognition and understanding, rereading
as necessary.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.3.1- Write opinion pieces on topics or texts, supporting a point of view with reasons.
Novel Pre-reading
 Author Background
o Madeline L’Engle history
 Read Scholastic Guide Pages on family history and effect on
writing
 Scholastic Guide background for history of A Wrinkle in Time
 First glance at book
o Newberry Medal
o Back-Cover
o Genre
o What does the picture mean? (Journal write at end of pre-reading
lesson)
 Watch A Wrinkle in Time Book Trailers
o https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJnZTVjLh1c&feature=emshare_video_user
o https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=shDklvbSYRY&feature=emshare_video_user
 Context Clues review
o May have many unknown vocabulary words in A Wrinkle in Time
o Introduce usage of Unknown Words and Context Clues Sheet
 Throughout the book, have students develop their own questions to predict
the events in the book.
Chapter 1
 Before reading chapter 1, ask the students the following questions:
o What cultures might exist on other worlds, or in fantasy worlds set
on other planets?
o What stories from other cultures on Earth do you know?
o How do stories help bind cultures together?
 Review and pronounce vocabulary words from Vocabulary Review for
Chapter 1
 Review use of Character Sketches chart
 Read Chapter 1
 Answer Chapter_1_Questions
 Answer one of the following journal prompts:
o Citing specific examples from the text, what do Meg Murry’s actions
tell you about her? How does she feel about her family? What would
you do if you were in her situation?
o Citing specific examples from the text, how is Charles Wallace
different from most five-year-olds? Have you ever met an unusual
child like Charles Wallace?
 Fill out Character_Sketches on characters from Chapter 1
Chapter 2
 Before reading chapter 2, discuss the events of chapter 1 by asking the
students the following questions:
o Why did the characters in chapter one describe ‘home’ as a feeling,
instead of a place?
o What is a tesseract? Does its description make you want to read on?
 Review and pronounce vocabulary words from Vocabulary Review for
Chapter 2
 Read Chapter 2
 Answer Chapter 2 Questions
 Answer one of the following journal prompts:
o What does Calvin’s last comment in the chapter mean? Why do you
think he has this feeling? Have you ever felt like Calvin?
o Why does the school principal, Mr. Jenkins, want Meg to accept that
her father is never coming home? Should Meg believe him? Why or
why not?
 Fill out Character_Sketches on characters from Chapter 2
Chapter 3
 Before reading chapter 3, ask the students the following question:
o From our reading, what are some of the actions that makes the
Murry family a little bit unusual?
 Review and pronounce vocabulary words from Vocabulary Review for
Chapter 3
 Read Chapter 3
 Answer Chapter 3 Questions
 Answer one of the following journal prompts:
o Were you surprised that the children went off with Mrs. Who, Mrs.
Whatsit, and Mrs. Which? Why did they go off with these strange
women? Would you have gone with them? Why or why not?
o How is Calvin’s home life different from Meg’s? How is his school life
different from Meg’s? Citing examples from the text, who do you
have more in common with, Calvin or Meg? Why?
 Fill out Character_Sketches on characters from Chapter 3
Chapter 4
 Before reading chapter 4 discuss the relationships that Calvin, Meg, and
Charles Wallace have with others and how their appearance affects their
self-confidence.
 Review and pronounce vocabulary words from Vocabulary Review for
Chapter 4
 Read Chapter 4
 Answer Chapter 4 Questions
 Answer one of the following journal prompts:
o Why do you think Calvin is asked to go on the journey with Meg and
Charles Wallace?
o How would you react if you were taken on a surprise journey to
another planet? Why?
 Fill out Character_Sketches on characters from Chapter 4
Chapter 5
 Before reading chapter 5, discuss some of the conflicts in the book so far.
 Review and pronounce vocabulary words from Vocabulary Review for
Chapter 5
 Read Chapter 5
 Answer Chapter 5 Questions
 Answer one of the following journal prompts:
o During the journey, the children learn about the Dark Thing. What do
you think the Dark Thing really is?
o Who are some of the famous people mentioned as fighting the Dark
Thing? What do they all have in common?
 Fill out Character_Sketches on characters from Chapter 5
Chapter 6
 Before reading chapter 6, discuss some of the people listed as fighters of
the Dark Thing? How have their contributions changed the world?
 Review and pronounce vocabulary words from Vocabulary_Review for
Chapter 6
 Read Chapter 6
 Answer Chapter 6 Questions
 Answer the following journal prompt:
o What characters have you met through the reading of other books
and stories that have magical abilities like Mrs. Whatsit, Mrs. Who,
and Mrs. Which. Briefly describe their abilities.
 Fill out Character_Sketches on characters from Chapter 6
Chapter 7
 Before reading chapter 7, discuss the gifts and warnings given to the
children by the 3 W’s.
 Review and pronounce vocabulary words from Vocabulary_Review for
Chapter 7
 Read Chapter 7
 Answer Chapter 7 Questions
 Answer one of the following journal prompts:
o Charles Wallace says that decisions can’t be based on fear. Do you
agree? Explain with clear reasons.
o When the man with red eyes tries to take over the children’s minds,
whom does Meg scream for and why? Who would you call for?
 Fill out Character_Sketches on characters from Chapter 7
Chapter 8
 Before reading chapter 8, discuss how the children used their gifts when
they confronted evil and how the warnings have come true.
 Review and pronounce vocabulary words from Vocabulary_Review for
Chapter 8
 Read Chapter 8
 Answer Chapter 8 Questions
 Answer one of the following journal prompts:
o Citing the text, describe what life is like on Camazotz. How is it the
same and different from your own life?
o Citing the text, how do they keep people from suffering on
Camazota? What do you think of this idea?
 Fill out Character_Sketches on characters from Chapter 8
Chapter 9
 Before reading chapter 9, discuss what has happened to Charles Wallace in
the previous chapter.
 Review and pronounce vocabulary words from Vocabulary_Review for
Chapter 9
 Read Chapter 9
 Answer Chapter 9 Questions
 Answer one of the following journal prompts:
o What are some of the ways people try to control each other? For
example, advertisements attempt to get people to buy items.
o Explain the phrase “like and equal are two entirely different things.”
How does this idea help Meg?
 Fill out Character_Sketches on characters from Chapter 9
Chapter 10
 Before reading chapter 10, discuss whether or not the students believe the
Murry group will be saved from IT.
 Review and pronounce vocabulary words from Vocabulary_Review for
Chapter 10
 Read Chapter 10
 Answer Chapter 10 Questions
 Answer one of the following journal prompts:
o What are Meg’s feelings about her father, brother, and Calvin after
escaping IT? Do you think she should feel this way? Why?
o What do you think of Mr. Murry’s reasons for not rescuing Charles
Wallace? Do you agree with him? Why or why not?
 Fill out Character_Sketches on characters from Chapter 10
Chapter 11
 Before reading chapter 11, discuss the strange creatures that the group
met in chapter 10. What are they like?
 Review and pronounce vocabulary words from Vocabulary_Review for
Chapter 11
 Read Chapter 11
 Answer Chapter 11 Questions
 Answer one of the following journal prompts:
o What would you do if you suddenly met up with three aliens?
o What is it about the beast that convinces Meg to trust her? What are
some of the things that let you trust someone?
 Fill out Character_Sketches on characters from Chapter 11
Chapter 12
 Before reading chapter 12, discuss how Meg’s feelings have changed
throughout the book. What specific events have made her change? How
have these changes helped her fight IT?
 Review and pronounce vocabulary words from Vocabulary_Review for
Chapter 12
 Read Chapter 12
 Answer Chapter 12 Questions
 Answer the following journal prompt:
o What does Meg learn by having to rescue Charles Wallace alone?
When have you had to change to accomplish something on your
own?
 Fill out Character_Sketches on characters from Chapter 12
Unknown Words and Context Clues
Page #
Unknown
Word
Possible Meaning
of Word
New Sentence Using the Word
Vocabulary Review
Chapter 1frenzied
cunning
relinquish
intentions
prodigious
resentment
smugly
subdued
preliminaries
savagely
crevices
exclusive
luxuriously
delinquent
supine
repulsive
serenity
baring
diction
fragrantly
fury
uncanny
scudded
vicious
sullen
wraith-like
passable
liniment
vigorously
lashing
Chapter 2unceremoniously
stifled
compulsion
transmissible
confidingly
warily
piteous
recesses
probingly
offspring
belligerent
avid
morons
assimilate
dilapidated
inadvertently
antagonistic
ferocious
sarcastic
disillusion
placidly
tractable
bellowing
Chapter 3wryly
gorgeous
decipher
essence
dubiously
morass
plaintively
paltry
gamboled
Chapter 4frenzy
resonant
ephemeral
tangible
corona
intently
inexorable
corporeal
dispersed
centaur
elliptic
indignant
dissolution
reverberated
Chapter 5perturbed
Chapter 6anticlimax
chiding
radiantly
eon
malignant
propitious
resilience
furtive
identical
stifle
simultaneously aberration
seethe
writhe
remote
defiantly
preliminaries
arrogance
gallivanting
vocalize
primitive
warily
abandoning
menace
diverting
nondescript
recourse
probed
tenacity
unsubstantial
flanked
snarl
neurological
connotations
somber
swivet
enlighten
pedantic
deformity
annihilate
endure
radiated
sulphurous
ominous
monotonous
emanate
organisms
deviate
myopic
placidly
miasma
systole
betrayed
inexorable
insolent
stark
cloven
gait
formaldehyde
Chapter 7bilious
tolerant
wince
concussion
bravado
Chapter 8hysterical
infuriated
spindly
pinioned
Chapter 9impact
diastole
disembodied
dais
omnipotent
tangible
angular
Chapter 10atrophied
tentacles
haunches
revulsion
fallible
indentations
loathing
assuaged
Chapter 11tremor
trepidation
Frigid
acute
spasm
Temporal
oppressive
opaque
Despondency
vaulted
gorge
distraught
distinctly
poised
linear
imperceptibly
permeating
reiterating
vestige
incapable
vulnerable
contagious
catapulted
exuberance
Chapter 12appallingly
formidably
fatal
Character Sketches (sample page, use flip chart during actual lesson)
Name
Traits
Quotes and Paraphrases,
w/page number
Chapter 1 Comprehension Questions
Directions: Circle the correct answer for each question.
1. Meg is the ________ child in the Murry family.
a. Youngest
b. Middle
c. Oldest
2. Meg does not practice moderation and is often in trouble at….
a. Home
b. School
c. Work
3. Charles Wallace seems to have been expecting _______ arrival in the
kitchen.
a. Mrs. Whatsit’s
b. Meg’s
c. Fortinbras’
4. Charles Wallace has a habit of….
a. Babbling on and on
b. Seldom speaking to strangers
c. Sleepwalking
5. He appears to be able to anticipate….
a. The dog’s thoughts
b. Mother’s and Meg’s moves
c. The twins’ thoughts
6. When Mrs. Whatsit says, “There is such a thing as a tesseract,” she seems
to…
a. Hear her friends call her
b. Respond to Charles Wallace’s question
c. Read Mother’s thoughts
Chapter 2 Comprehension Questions
Directions: Complete the following statements with the correct word or words.
1. Mother promises Meg she will discuss the word ____________ with her at
another time.
2. _______________ appear to be the most “normal” members of the Murry
family.
3. Meg suspects that Mr. Jenkins’ questions about _____________ are based
upon his curiosity, not on his concern for her well-being.
4. Charles Wallace and Meg plan to discuss the sheets and the need for
caution with ___________________.
5. Calvin O’Keefe calls Charles Wallace a ___________________.
6. Calvin and ___________________ share several characteristics.
7. Mrs. Who is sewing on a ___________________, which she suggests may
come in useful as a disguise.
8. She seems to know ____________________, although this is the first time
they’ve met.
9. The silence of _______________________ signals all is well at the haunted
house.
10.Calvin is invited to _______________________.
Chapter 3 Comprehension Questions
Directions: Write true or false on the line.
1. ___________ Calvin and Meg sense that they are going to be friends, in
spite of their age difference.
2. ___________ Calvin increases Meg’s awareness of her loving family by
discussing his family.
3. ___________ The reader learns Mr. Murry is intelligent, dedicated to his
work, and meticulous in his appearance.
4. ___________ Mr. Murry’s location is unknown to his family.
5. ___________ Meg’s abilities at math indicates a fine mind.
6. ___________ Mother suggests that there are some explanations for events
in life that people will never understand.
7. ___________ Meg confides in Calvin that she is unhappy with herself and
wishes she were different.
8. ___________ Calvin believes Meg should change to please others.
9. ___________ Mother announces that the plan to locate Father is about to
take place.
10.___________ Mrs. Which is an average-looking person.
Chapter 4 Comprehension Questions
Directions: Circle the correct answer for each question.
1. During the darkness and silence, she experiences as Chapter 4 begins, Meg
is….
a. Unconscious
b. Sleeping
c. Tessering
2. This trip involves two serious goals. One goal is to locate….
a. Mrs. Whatsit’s family
b. Mr. Murry
c. a friend of Charles Wallace’s
3. The group landed on Uriel in order to….
a. Refuel
b. Rest
c. begin their work
4. Mrs. Whatsit transforms into a….
a. Horse
b. Centaur
c. winged creature
5. When Meg and Calvin hear the music, they experience incredible….
a. Fear
b. Joy
c. anger
6. The flowers from Uriel's trees prevent the children from….
a. Freezing
b. Fainting
c. falling
7. The thing suggests Meg is
a. The enemy
b. Comforting
c. A landmark
Chapter 5 Comprehension Questions
Directions: Write true or false on the line.
1. ___________ Mrs. Whatsit encircles Meg in her wings to comfort her.
2. ___________ Mrs. Whatsit explains what a tesseract is to Meg.
3. ___________ Mrs. Which almost lands on a two dimensional planet where the
children cannot function.
4. ___________ The children dislike the Happy Medium.
5. ___________ Meg worries that Mother will be concerned about the children's
whereabouts.
6. ___________ The "three W's" refuse to discuss their ages.
7. ___________ The Happy Medium is anxious to look at the children's home
planet.
8. ___________ As they gaze into the crystal ball, the children learn that the
smoky haze covering the earth is the same Dark Thing that covers Uriel.
9. ___________ Mrs. Which reveals that the Dark Thing is the force of evil.
10.___________ The children do not agree about the names of some of Earth's
fighters of evil.
Chapter 6 Comprehension Questions
Directions: Circle the correct answer for each question.
1. At one time Mrs. Whatsit was a….
a. Star
b. Human
c. Witch
2. The Happy Medium allows the children to see ______________ before they
continue their journey.
a. their friends
b. their mothers
c. Father
3. The children's next destination is….
a. Camazotz
b. Uriel
c. Earth
4. Calvin feels danger in entering the
a. police station
b. CENTRAL- Central Intelligence building
c. Library
5. The new town the children enter and its inhabitants are characterized by
a. Similarity
b. Uniqueness
c. Ugliness
6. The inhabitants of the city move about like….
a. Rebels
b. Robots
c. Individuals
Chapter 7 Comprehension Questions
Directions: Circle the correct answer for each question.
1. Meg, Calvin, and Charles Wallace walk down the center of a long room lined
with….
a. Computers
b. Soldiers
c. white-robed attendants
2. On a platform at the end of the room sits a man who gives off a….
a. yellowish glow
b. distinctive murmuring sound
c. feeling of coldness and darkness
3. The fact that he says, "But how does it happen that there are three of you?"
indicates that he….
a. knows Meg and Charles Wallace
b. doesn't have control of the situation
c. is considerate and kind
4. The first method he uses to try' to obtain control of the children is….
a. offering them food
b. violence
c. hypnotism
5. All he wants from them is their….
a. love
b. submission
c. support
6. The little boy goes into the man to….
a. save Meg and Calvin
b. give up his life
c. learn what the man is all about
Chapter 8 Comprehension Questions
Directions: Write true or false on the line.
1. ___________ As this chapter opens, Charles Wallace is acting differently.
2. ___________ Charles Wallace claims the man on the platform is a friend.
3. ___________ Charles Wallace says the planet Camazotz is in perfect order
because its occupants have submitted to IT.
4. ___________ Charles Wallace has been hypnotized.
5. ___________ Meg tries to use her strong communication skills to lure
Charles back.
6. ___________ The children learn why no one wants to be ill on Camazotz.
7. ___________ Charles Wallace claims that the cause of unhappiness is
differences between people.
8. ___________ The Happiest Sadist is a name Charles Wallace calls himself.
9. ___________ The little boy who lost his ball in Chapter 6 reappears in this
chapter.
10.___________ The children see Father enclosed in a large, round,
transparent column.
Chapter 9 Comprehension Questions
Directions: Complete the following sentences with the correct word or words.
1. When Meg attempts to bring Charles Wallace "back into himself" by
tackling him again, he ____________________ her.
2. Charles Wallace tells Meg that she must ____________________ in order
to help her father.
3. Meg uses ____________________ to gain entry into the transparent
column.
4. In the column, Meg realizes that Father is unable to
____________________.
5. ____________________ appears to have difficulty believing the person
called Charles Wallace is not really his child.
6. In the center of the domed building is a dais with a ____________________
on it.
7. Meg wonders if she destroys IT, whether everyone under IT's control will
also ____________________.
Chapter 10 Comprehension Questions
Directions: Circle the correct answer for each question.
1. The fact that IT did not absorb Father and the children because IT is not
used to being refused indicates IT….
a. can be defeated
b. is indestructible
c. is powerful
2. The fact that Father has not given in to IT after all these months suggests
that….
a. IT is weak when it tries to control human beings
b. Father has a very strong mind
c. he is not an important part of IT's plan to dominate all
3. Charles Wallace's mistake in thinking he could deliberately go into IT and
return exemplifies his….
a. Love
b. Arrogance
c. Foolishness
4. Because Father was willing to experiment with "tessering," we can
conclude that he is very….
a. Interesting
b. Intelligent
c. Courageous
5. Meg's anger with her father for leaving Charles Wallace, her
disappointment that all has not turned out well and her resentment are…
a. new feelings for her
b. typical reactions for Meg
c. unfamiliar attitudes
6. Calvin's ability to explain to the unfamiliar beasts who they are and why
they are there reveals his ability to….
a. be gentle
b. care for everyone
c. communicate
Chapter 11 Comprehension Questions
Directions: Answer each question using complete sentences, proper phrasing, and
correct spelling.
1. Why do Aunt Beast's actions lessen Meg's pain?
2. How do the beasts treat Calvin, Meg, and Mr. Murry?
3. What has made Meg so ill?
4. As Aunt Beast and Meg learn about each other, Aunt Beast explains that
they are unable to see. "We do not know what things look like, as you say,"
Aunt Beast says. "We know what things are like. It must be a very limiting
thing, this seeing." What does she mean by this?
Chapter 12 Comprehension Questions
Directions: Underline the answer that best completes each statement.
1. As the children, Father, Aunt Beast, and the "three W' s" discuss rescuing
Charles Wallace, it becomes clear that (Meg; Father; Mrs. Who) must do it.
2. The reason for this is that (Charles Wallace; Father; Mrs. Which) knows and
loves her the best.
3. (Mrs. Which; Mrs. Who; Mrs. Whatsit) will accompany Meg.
4. The gift she is given this time to assist her in her goal is (magic; love;
poison).
5. On Camazotz Meg walks until she finds herself within the (CENTRAL Central
Intelligence building; the domelike building).
6. When Meg momentarily believes Charles Wallace's claim that Mrs. Whatsit
is ITS friend, she finds (strength; herself being drawn into IT).
7. Meg realizes that by simply (loving Charles; hating IT) she can save her
brother.
8. Back home on Earth, the children and Father realize (a great deal of time;
little time) has passed since the children's departure.
9. The reader understands now that (the "three W 's"; Father) knew all along
that Meg's love for Charles Wallace and his for her made Meg the only one
who could save him.
10.Meg feels (peace and joy; nervousness and confusion) as we leave her, a far
cry from the feelings she experienced in the first chapter of the book.
Journal Page
Pre-writing: Review the picture on the front cover. What do you think the
picture means? Use at least two details from the picture to support your idea.