Treasure Island Differentiated Novel Study | Stevenson | 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 68,000-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 Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson (public domain) and a tightly adapted 5-part, one-week version at about 13,300 words—roughly one-fifth of 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). 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 Treasure Island 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.

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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: ~68,000 words | 7.1 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: ~13,300 words | 4.5 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 – From the Admiral Benbow to the Treasure Map Jim’s quiet life at an inn turns dangerous when Billy Bones and pirate threats lead Jim to a treasure map and a plan to sail.Part 2 – Long John Silver and the Mutiny at Sea: Jim meets Silver, learns the crew may be dangerous, and secretly warns the adults after overhearing a mutiny plan.Part 3 – First Steps on Treasure Island and the Stockade: On the island, Jim sees the pirates turn violent, meets Ben Gunn, and the honest group takes shelter in a stockade.Part 4 – The Battle for the Fort and Jim’s Sea Adventure: After a brutal attack, Jim risks the sea to reach the ship, survives a deadly fight, and returns to find the fort taken.Part 5 – The Treasure Hunt and Captain Silver’s Escape: The treasure search collapses the mutiny, the honest group recovers the treasure, and Silver escapes with coins as Jim reflects on the cost of greed.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Adapted Treasure Island Novel Study

How can I use adapted Treasure Island for reluctant or younger readers?

The adapted text is about 13,300 words at a 4.5 reading level, split into five manageable Parts for a one-week unit. Pair each Part with the discussion questions and quick exit quiz to support confidence, comprehension, and accountability for developing readers.

Is this Treasure Island novel study aligned with CCSS for Grades 3–5?

Yes, the unit supports key RL.3–5, SL.3–5, and L.3–5 standards through text-based comprehension, character and theme analysis, vocabulary in context, and written responses. The assessments are grounded in both the adapted text and the mapped original chapters.

Can I use this for differentiated Treasure Island instruction?

Yes, the resource includes both the full original text and the adapted version, plus clear chapter-to-part mapping so the class stays on the same scenes. Students can read on different levels while you manage one shared set of assessments and discussions.

This one classical literature mini-reader set gives you a complete, no-prep, one-week unit for teaching Treasure Island 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