Journey to the Center of the Earth by Jules Verne Differentiated Study Guide Lit Set for Grades 3 to 5

PROBLEM: Many classic literature units fall apart in real elementary classrooms because the original text can be long and challenging, and students often read at different levels—so teachers end up reteaching constantly or simplifying until the story loses its power.

SOLUTION: This differentiated novel study for Journey to the Center of the Earth solves that problem by giving you both the complete original text and a condensed, five-part adapted version, so your class can move together while students read at the level that fits. The adaptation keeps the major plot events, character choices, and core themes so your discussions stay meaningful and text-based.

Dual-track assurance: Every discussion prompt, quiz item, and short-answer question is designed to be answerable from the adapted Part text while still mapping cleanly to the corresponding original chapter range for extension reading and evidence practice.

Perfect for: Grades 3–6 whole-class instruction, small groups, intervention, and ELL support.

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: 86,000 words | 8.8 Flesch-Kincaid GL

• Lexile Range (est.): 950L–1100L | CEFR (est.): B1–B2
• Great for strong/advanced readers, extension groups, and evidence-based chapter reading.

Adapted Version Text: 14,000 words | 3.6 Flesch-Kincaid GL

• Lexile Range (est.): 600L–750L | CEFR (est.): A2–B1
• Great for on-level and supported readers who need a shorter text with the same plot, themes, and assessment alignment.
• Supported readers who need a shorter text with the same plot, themes, and assessment alignment.
• *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 Words
• 10 Short Answer Recall/Comprehension
• 5 Challenge Questions (synthesis, analysis, themes, real life connection)
• 5 Multiple Choice Quizzes (20 Questions) (1 per part)

Teacher’s Guide & Answer Key

• 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

Quick Guide for Teachers:

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

• Best for Grades 3–6 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 Part
• Use 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).

How can I be sure this resource will meet my needs?

Download it today and check it out :)

FREE BONUS ALERT!

• Free Access Code to the text on the Leveled-Lit Classics Library!
• See all companion Study Guides in the Library here.

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
• Preserves core narrative elements, characters, and themes
• Far 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.

Adapted Version Summary

Part 1 → CHAPTER 1–11

Henry’s orderly life is disrupted when Professor Hardwigg discovers a hidden coded message. The message leads them to Mount Sneffels, and they rush from decoding and planning into travel, hiring Hans, and reaching the volcano that will decide everything.

Part 2 → CHAPTER 12–18

The expedition climbs Sneffels, uses the shadow clue to choose the correct shaft, and begins the true underground journey. As heat, darkness, and uncertainty close in, the party takes a wrong route and is forced into exhausting backtracking.

Part 3 → CHAPTER 19–26

A new passage offers hope, but water becomes a life-or-death problem until relief appears. Then the expedition fractures when Henry becomes separated and lost, and he must use the strange acoustics of the tunnels to reconnect and survive.

Part 4 → CHAPTER 27–36

The discovery of the Central Sea transforms the journey into an ocean voyage on a homemade raft. Prehistoric creatures, storms, and reversals test them, and land discoveries escalate the mystery—culminating in a terrifying glimpse of a giant human-like presence.

Part 5 → CHAPTER 37–44

A strange dagger and a sealed rock barrier suggest both human history and immediate entrapment. The professor’s decision to blast through triggers the climactic chain of events: uncontrolled movement, hardship, a forced ascent through a volcanic shaft, and a dramatic return to daylight and home.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can students answer everything using only the adapted text?

Yes. Discussion prompts and short-answer questions are written to be fully answerable from the adapted Part text, while still aligning to the same events in the original chapters for extension.

How long does this unit take?

Most teachers run one Part per week (5 weeks total), but you can compress it (two Parts per week) or extend it with original-text evidence practice.

Do I have to use both versions?

No. You can teach entirely with the adapted text, or offer the original text as an enrichment/choice reading track while keeping everyone aligned on the same assessments.

Standards

Reading Literature: CCSS RL.3.1, CCSS RL.3.2, CCSS RL.3.3, CCSS RL.3.4, CCSS RL.3.5, CCSS RL.4.1, CCSS RL.4.2, CCSS RL.4.3, CCSS RL.4.4, CCSS RL.4.5, CCSS RL.5.1, CCSS RL.5.2, CCSS RL.5.3, CCSS RL.5.4, CCSS RL.5.5
Writing: CCSS W.3.1, CCSS W.3.2, CCSS W.4.1, CCSS W.4.2, CCSS W.4.9, CCSS W.5.1, CCSS W.5.2, CCSS W.5.9
Anchor Standards: CCRA.R.1, CCRA.R.2, CCRA.R.3, CCRA.R.4, CCRA.R.5, CCRA.W.1, CCRA.W.2, CCRA.SL.1, CCRA.L.4