Spring Novel Studies for Upper Elementary
By MARISSA DESPINS Updated Dec 12, 2023
Engaging Spring Novel Studies for Upper ELementary
As the weather warms up, it’s a great time to introduce some fun Spring novel studies in your upper elementary classroom! Spring is often the time of year when schools focus on test prep. However, it is also the perfect time to introduce new and exciting literature to your students. This is a great way to way to review key skills and content that you have spent all winter teaching!
Looking for some print-and-go novels study resources that you can download and use right away with your students? Click on the image or button below to see all of the novel study resources available in my TPT shop!
Followers of the blog know how passionate I am about novel studies. They are an engaging way to get students excited about reading and writing, while also addressing important language arts standards. Novel studies not only engage students and help them build their reading comprehension skills, but they can also be lots of fun and provide plenty of opportunities for critical thinking. Read on for some of my very favorite novel studies to bring out in the Spring!
Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White
This beloved classic is one of my very favorite Spring novel studies. It tells the story of Wilbur the pig and his unlikely friendship with Charlotte the spider. As Wilbur faces certain death, Charlotte comes up with a plan to save him—by spinning words into her web. Your students will be captivated by this heartwarming tale as they explore themes such as friendship, loyalty, courage, and compassion.
There is a really great and recent movie adaptation of the story, featuring Julia Roberts as Charlotte. Viewing the movie as a class makes for a great reward after finishing the novel, and provides a great opportunity for compare/contrast activities.
For a COMPLETE novel study to use along with this fun novel, click here or on the image below.
Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt
Tuck Everlasting is definitely one of my favorite Spring novel studies. In this timeless coming-of-age story, Winnie Foster discovers a family that has found out how to live forever by drinking from a spring on their property.
This magical tale brings up vital topics such as mortality and immortality that make for great classroom discussions.
Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson
Jesse Aarons is convinced he’ll always be an outsider until he meets Leslie Burke—his neighbor and classmate—and they become fast friends. Together they create their own magical kingdom called Terabithia in order to escape from reality and enjoy each other’s company. Bridge To Terabithia is one of my favorite spring novel studies because it provides an opportunity for teachers to discuss key themes like friendship, loss, and the importance of embracing imagination and creativity. In addition, its outdoorsy theme makes it an excellent novel study for spring.
For a complete novel study to use along with the novel, click here or on the image below.
For an in-depth exploration of ‘Bridge to Terabithia,’ including detailed lesson plans and activities, check out our comprehensive Bridge to Terabithia Novel Study post. This blog post will provide you with additional tools to enhance your students’ understanding and engagement with this heart warming novel.
Seedfolks by Paul Fleischman
This inspiring story follows an immigrant girl named Kim who plants lima beans in an abandoned lot near her home. She soon finds herself surrounded by people from all walks of life who come together over gardening projects. The eclectic group works together to turn a neglected space into something truly beautiful. This novel study brings up great opportunities for discussion about issues of diversity and community. The outdoor garden theme makes it the perfect book to add to your list of spring novel studies.
For a COMPLETE novel study to use along with the novel, click here or on the image below.
Wishtree by Katherine Applegate
Red is an oak tree who has lived in her neighborhood for 200 years – long enough to know that humans can sometimes be unkind but also kind enough to help out when needed. Through Red’s eyes we get a unique perspective on human nature as well as our relationships with each other and nature itself. This novel study brings ample opportunities to help reinforce important lessons about empathy and respect for our environment!
For a COMPLETE novel study to go along with this beautiful story, click here or on the image below.
Dive deeper into ‘Wishtree’ with our post all about Wishtree Novel Study Activities. This post was designed to enrich your students’ experience with the novel, offering creative and thought-provoking ways to engage with the story’s themes and characters.
Whether you want an activity-filled unit study or quieter reflective activities for your upper elementary class this spring season, these three novels have plenty of options for both! I hope you find these suggestions helpful when deciding which stories to explore with your class this spring!
If you’re looking for guidance on how to effectively plan and implement these novel studies in your classroom, our Step-by-Step Guide to Planning a Novel Study offers valuable insights and strategies. This guide will help you create a structured and impactful novel study experience for your students. And the best part? You can download the free guide by clicking on the image or button below!
Looking for more upper elementary novel study ideas?
Check out these related blog posts below!
Upper Elementary Novel Study Favorites
Holes Novel Study Ideas for Upper Elementary
Teaching Characterization with Bridge to Terabithia
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