Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland Differentiated Novel Study | Carroll | Literature Set for Grades 3 to 5

Problem: You want your students to experience classic literature, but you do not have weeks (or months) to push through a 26,500-word novel with mixed reading levels in the room.

Here’s the solution: a differentiated novel study, or “digital lit-set.” This resource gives you both the complete original Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll (public domain) and a tightly adapted 5-part, one-week version at about 15,700 words—roughly about one-third the original length. This dual-track design lets you match the reading path to every student without changing your assessments or losing instructional time. The adapted and original versions align part-for-part using a clear chapter map (Parts 1–5).

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Every discussion question, multiple-choice exit quiz, short-answer item, challenge question, and vocabulary word works for both tracks. Mixed-ability classrooms can stay on the same scenes, characters, and themes—even while students read different versions of the text.

Perfect for a Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland mini-reader unit in Grades 3–5, this resource supports CCSS reading, speaking/listening, language, and written response skills while keeping pacing realistic for real classrooms.

Quick Guide for Teachers

Adapted-Only Track (Fastest: 5-Day Model)

• Best for Grades 3–5 classes that need a manageable, one-week novel experience.Day 1–5: Students read one adapted part per day and use the matching Main Ideas & Themes Discussion Questions and self-grading multiple-choice quiz.End the week with the Final Worksheet (Vocabulary Words, Short Answer Questions, and Challenge Questions).This track keeps lessons tight, predictable, and complete in five days.

Original-Only Track (Longer: Multi-Day Per Section)

• Ideal for stronger readers or classes ready for original language and sentence structure.Students read the original chapters aligned to each adapted PartUse the same Discussion Questions, MC exit quizzes, and Final Worksheet; all items are text-accurate for both versions.Vocabulary Words (10) are usable for both tracks, because each word appears in both the adapted text and the corresponding original chapters.This track preserves the full descriptive style and classic voice while giving you ready-made, age-appropriate assessments.

Dual-Track Differentiation (Mixed Readers, Flexible Timelines)

• Lets your entire class study the same plot, scenes, and themes at the same time—even when some students need the adapted text and others handle the full novel.Assign adapted Part 1 to students who need a shorter, clearer text and original corresponding chapters to students reading the full text; repeat this pattern through Parts 2–5 (timing will depend on your classroom's reading level)Give original-text students multiple days per section while adapted-text students reread key scenes, complete vocabulary tasks, and tackle discussion questions in pairs or small groups.All assessments are usable for both tracks: Discussion Questions, MC Exit Quizzes for each Part, and the Final Worksheet (Vocabulary, Short Answer, and Challenge Questions).

What’s the Tradeoff of Using the Adapted Version?

Pros

• Reduces the novel to a fraction of its original length, fitting neatly into a one-week unit.Well suited for shorter attention spans and developing readers in Grades 3–5.Preserves core narrative elements, characters, and themesFar better than skipping the book entirely due to time limits or reading-level concerns.Works for whole-class read-alouds, small-group novel studies, independent reading, or focused close-reading lessons.

Cons

• Omits some original language, side scenes, and descriptive passages for brevity, so students do not see every nuance of the original author's style.

• Leaves fewer opportunities for deep line-by-line stylistic analysis than a full-length, multi-week novel study.

Bottom Line

If you have the time and budget, nothing beats the feel of a real paperback in every student’s hands. But when time, copies, and reading levels are real constraints, a digital literature set like this—adapted text + original text mapping + shared assessments—lets you bring this classic novel into your classroom instead of leaving it on the “maybe someday” shelf. If you were to buy traditional paperbacks at about $7 per book for 30 students, that is a $210 investment. This digital lit-set gives you a reusable, print-friendly alternative you can adapt for many years and multiple groups.

This product includes a zip file consisting of

NOTE: All files are editable and include (PDF, DOCX, PPTX, Google Docs/Slides/Forms)

Full Original Text

Full Original Text: ~26,500 words | 7 Flesch-Kincaid GL

Lexile Ranges: ~900L - 1100L | CEFR ~B1Great for advanced readers (or upper-elementary extension groups), extension groups, longer-term novel studies.Adapted Version Text: ~15,700 words | 4.7 Flesch-Kincaid GL

Lexile Ranges: ~650L - 850L | CEFR ~A2 / A2+On-level Grade 4–5 readersSupported Grade 3 readersDivided into 5 parts for easy daily reading sessions

*Both versions tell the same story, allowing students to participate in shared discussions even when reading different texts.

Student Final Worksheet/Quizzes (PPTX, Google Slides/Forms)

• 10 Vocabulary Words10 Short Answer Recall/Comprehension5 Challenge Questions (synthesis, analysis, themes, real life connection)5 Multiple Choice Quizzes (20 Questions) (1 per part)

Teacher’s Guide & Answer Key (PDF, DOCX, Google Docs)

• 5 Sets of Daily Discussion Questions (1 per part)5 Sets of Self-Graded Exit Quizzes (1 per part, 20Qs each)

• Answer Keys for Vocab, Short Answer, and Challenge Questions

• Key Figures & Places reference sheets to help students track characters and settings

Text Summary (Adapted Version)

• Part 1 – Into Wonderland The Fall, the Doors, and the Strange Crowd Source Chapters: 1–3 Alice follows the White Rabbit into a world where normal rules do not apply, and her body changes size in frightening, unpredictable ways. She meets Wonderland’s first group of creatures and learns that even polite conversation can go wrong fast. This Part establishes the story’s core pattern: curiosity pulls Alice forward, but confusion and miscommunication keep raising the stakes.
• Part 2 – Trapped and Tested The Rabbit’s House and the Mushroom Lesson Source Chapters: 4–5 Alice is pushed around by the White Rabbit’s demands and gets physically stuck after another dramatic size change, forcing her to problem-solve under pressure. After escaping, she meets the Caterpillar and begins learning a practical skill—controlling her size—so she can navigate danger with more confidence. This Part shifts Alice from helpless confusion toward purposeful self-control.
• Part 3 – Pepper, Pigs, and “Mad” Rules Source Chapters: 6–7 Alice steps into the Duchess’s chaotic house and witnesses cruelty, nonsense, and a shocking transformation that makes her question what is normal in this world. She then meets the Cheshire Cat and attends the Mad Tea Party, where logic and manners are treated like a joke. This Part highlights how Alice tries to keep her values while surrounded by behavior that feels unfair and unreasonable.
• Part 4 – The Queen’s World Power, Fear, and a Sadder Side of Wonderland Source Chapters: 8–9 Alice enters the Queen’s garden, where threats and punishments happen casually, and she must be careful with every word. The croquet game shows how power can twist rules to fit whoever is in charge. Meeting the Mock Turtle reveals a more emotional, reflective side of Wonderland, mixing sadness with strange “lessons.”
• Part 5 – Performances to Judgment The Dance, the Trial, and Waking Up Source Chapters: 10–12 Alice is drawn through one last set of bizarre performances before landing in a courtroom where “justice” is treated like theater. As the trial becomes more ridiculous and unfair, Alice grows brave enough to challenge the nonsense directly. The dream collapses, and Alice wakes with a clearer sense that she can question unfair rules instead of simply accepting them.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Adapted Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland Novel Study

How can I use adapted Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland for reluctant or younger readers?

This adapted text is approximately 15,700 words at a 4.7 reading level and is divided into five Parts for a one-week unit. Each Part is designed for daily reading and pairs naturally with discussion questions and a quick exit quiz. This structure helps reluctant readers stay successful without falling behind the class storyline.

Is this Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland novel study aligned with CCSS for Grades 3–5?

Yes—activities support RL.3–5, SL.3–5, and L.3–5 through text-based comprehension, character and theme analysis, vocabulary in context, and written responses. Because the unit is verified against both the adapted text and the mapped original chapters, mixed groups can complete the same standards-aligned tasks. The final worksheet and per-part assessments keep students grounded in evidence from the story.

Can I use this for differentiated Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland instruction?

Yes—both the original and adapted versions are included, with a clear mapping so groups stay on the same scenes and plot points. You can assign the original to advanced readers and the adapted Parts to on-level or supported readers while using one shared set of discussions and assessments. This keeps your whole class moving together without separate planning tracks.

This one classical literature mini-reader set gives you a complete, no-prep, one-week unit for teaching Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland to Grades 3–5 in manageable, high-engagement steps—whether your students read the adapted version, the original, or both.

Standards

Reading Literature: CCSS RL.3-5.1, CCSS RL.3-5.2, CCSS RL.3-5.3, CCSS RL.3-5.4, CCSS RL.3-5.5, CCSS RL.3-5.6
Writing: CCSS W.3-5.2
Speaking & Listening: CCSS SL.3-5.1
Anchor Standards: CCRA.R.1, CCRA.R.2, CCRA.R.3, CCRA.R.4, CCRA.R.5, CCRA.W.2, CCRA.SL.1, CCRA.L.4