The Nutcracker and the Mouse King | Reading Comprehension | Year 3/4

Bring a magical festive classic to your classroom with this beautifully adapted Year 3/4 reading comprehension based on The Nutcracker and the Mouse King. Perfect for Lower Key Stage 2, this enchanting retelling introduces pupils to Clara, the Nutcracker Prince, and the thrilling midnight battle that leads to the shimmering Kingdom of Sweets.

Written in accessible, child-friendly language, the text captures the excitement of Clara’s Christmas Eve adventure — from the mysterious gift from Herr Drosselmeyer to the dramatic clash with the Mouse King and the Nutcracker’s transformation. Pupils will explore rich setting descriptions, character motives, and deeper themes such as bravery, kindness, and the magic of imagination.

This resource supports key reading skills including retrieval, inference, sequencing, vocabulary development, and summarising. It is ideal for whole-class reading, guided sessions, literacy lessons, or festive comprehension activities. With its detailed narrative and vivid imagery, it also lends itself perfectly to creative writing follow-ups, drama work, or winter-themed assemblies.

Engaging, imaginative, and curriculum-aligned, this Year 3/4 text offers teachers a ready-to-use comprehension experience that brings traditional literature to life for young readers.

What’s Included:

• 2 Pages of Explanation / How-To Text (Dyslexia-friendly font)
• 2 Pages of Reading Comprehension Questions
• “Just Tick It” Adaptive Reading Task – perfect for emerging or reluctant readers
• Extension Activities for winter science, instruction writing, and creative design
• 5-Lesson Teaching Presentation (40+ slides, structured and easy-to-teach)
• An additional 3 Worksheets to support teaching and learning
• Now includes “Mixed Up!” – gives teachers extra flexibility (e.g. assessment, variety, reusability)
• 5-Day Lesson Plan with pedagogy notes and teaching strategies
• Audio Support of the text (ideal for EAL/SEND/ESL learners)
• Answer Keys for all questions and tasks
• Assessment Tracker to monitor reading objectives and progress

You might also like…
– A Christmas Carol

If you have questions, do not hesitate to email me at: bitesizeeducation01@gmail.com

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