Unit Overview

This novel study provides teachers with a highly structured format for teaching language arts as students develop a love for reading longer materials like novels. Various areas such as reading comprehension, vocabulary development, spelling, grammar, and writing are all entwined in this integrated approach. Activities for each chapter grouping are divided into three main sections:

1)  Chapter Questions

For each group of chapters there are a number of thought-provoking questions that require students to write in complete sentences. Reading comprehension is key as students must read and understand the entire passage in order to answer the questions.

2)  Language & Vocabulary

Each chapter grouping contains a number of activities dealing with skills including: alliteration, contractions, alphabetizing, verbs, syllables, face similes, compound words, similes, double letter spelling, word pyramids, synonyms, antonyms and fanciful vocabulary.

3)  Writing & Creativity

This section gives students the opportunity to apply what they have learned about language and grammar skills through creative tasks and exercises. Activities such as brainstorming, poetry writing, and a character sketch will generate student enthusiasm for writing and creative thinking.

Story Synopsis

This story is about the continuing adventures of Charlie Bucket and Willy Wonka, the chocolate-maker extraordinaire. Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator starts where Charlie and the Chocolate Factory left off.

Charlie, Mr. Wonka, Charlie’s parents and his grandparents set off on a fantastic but frightening journey into space. The purpose of this trip is to return to Earth with great speed and force in order to create a huge hole in the Chocolate Factory roof.

Entering a space hotel, teasing a U.S. President, battling the dreaded vermicious knids, saving a shuttle and its occupants, and traveling to Minusland are some of the adventures the crew of the Glass Elevator experience, each of them coming to push Mr. Wonka’s decision-making skills to their limit.

In the end, Mr. Wonka is able to successfully deal with the mysteries of space and of Minusland and to gain the respect of his crew members.