A Wrinkle in Time | 5th Grade Literature | Kolbe Academy Catholic Classical Curriculum
A Wrinkle in Time follows Meg Murry, her brother Charles Wallace, and their friend Calvin as they set out to find Meg’s missing father, a scientist who vanished while working on a mysterious problem involving space and time. Guided by three unusual companions, the children travel beyond their ordinary world into unfamiliar places where they must confront both wonder and danger.
As their journey unfolds, each character faces fear, doubt, and the temptation to conform. The adventure becomes not only a search but also a test of courage, loyalty, and love, as Meg learns that strength does not come from perfection but from perseverance and self-giving.
Blending imaginative storytelling with thoughtful themes, the novel invites readers to consider truth, freedom, and the dignity of the individual. Selected for fifth-grade readers, A Wrinkle in Time supports discussion and written reflection while encouraging careful reading of symbolism and character development within a classical literature program.
Course Information
This Grade 5 literature course deepens comprehension and introduces more sustained literary analysis through a year of classic fiction, historical narrative, and adventure. Core readings include Island of the Blue Dolphins, Where the Red Fern Grows, My Side of the Mountain, Calico Captive, and The Hobbit. Students develop mature reading habits through guided discussion, regular reading checks, and written responses that support clear, organized thinking.
Poetry study is integrated throughout the year using our Classic Poems Across the Ages text and extends beyond recitation to include imagery, structure, and meaning. Students also complete structured journal work, paragraph practice, and projects. The course supports adaptable pacing, allowing instructors to adjust reading and writing workload as needed while preserving instructional coherence. Detailed lesson plans and teacher keys support both independent student growth and confident instruction.
Course this book is used in:
- Literature 5:
- Online - Supplemental
- Homeschool - This course includes multiple reading tracks to support different reading levels. Please use the Course Plan to choose your books and weekly assignments, since the titles and pacing vary by track. Families may change tracks if needed, but we recommend switching only at a unit/quarter break so you can continue smoothly without repeating the same content. A Wrinkle in Time is used in Advanced Reading Plan 1.
| Book | Elementary 5 Reading Plan |
Advanced 5 Reading Plan 1 |
Advanced 5 Reading Plan 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Island of the Blue Dolphins | X | X | X |
| Classic Poems Across the Ages | X | X | X |
| Where the Red Fern Grows | X | X | X |
| My Side of the Mountain | X | X | X |
| Calico Captive | X | X | X |
| The Hobbit | X | X | |
| Kateri Tekakwitha: Mohawk Maiden |
X | ||
| Misty of Chincoteague | X | ||
| A Wrinkle in Time | X | ||
| Mother Cabrini: Missionary to the World |
X | ||
| Mother Seton and the Sisters of Charity |
X | ||
| Black Beauty | X | ||
| White Fang | X | ||
| St. Katherine Drexel: Friend of the Oppressed |
X | ||
| Carry On, Mr. Bowditch | X |
Course this book was previously used in:
- Discontinued: Elementary Literature
- Materials for the discontinued Elementary Literature course may still be purchased while supplies last. To find available Elementary Literature course materials, click here.