PHOTO ABOVE: photograph of E.B. White and his beloved farm
CREATING A STUDENT ANNOTATED BOOK for "CHARLOTTE'S WEB"
(books will create a "hard" copy book that contains art, writing, graphs, etc.)
CHAPTER 1 BEFORE BREAKFAST
* ARABLE means "plowable" - discussion on the meaning in names in the novel
* Wilbur is the first animal we see - implications of author's choice of when to introduce a character
* p. 3 activity on smells from a familiar place –(discussion student writing –Make a List of Smells from a familiar place to you, modeling E.B. White)
* Chapter 1 Image - and summary writing
CHAPTER 2 WILBUR
* Research: How do you raise a runt pig?
* Research: What is a spring pig?
* Discussion: The protagonists of all 3 of E.B. White's novels are aberrant: What does that mean? What makes Stuart Little aberrant? What makes Louis the Trumpet swan aberrant? Why is Wilbur aberrant? Why do you think E.B.White chose aberrant main characters?
* Chapter 2 Image - and summary writing
CHAPTER 3 ESCAPE
* E. B. WHITE'S use of list Activity, Part 2: Find in the "list" in chapter 2 and create a list of your own on any topic in your own life that a list can "PAINT" a picture of
* E.B. White studied the animals he wrote about by writing things he saw them do. DO A STUDY OF ELLIE (our school therapy dog)
* "... it made Wilbur happy to know that she was sitting there, right outside his pen. But he never had any fun –no walks, no rides, no swims. DISCUSSION ACTIVITY about caged animals in zoos
* Scavenger Hunt: Find the FIRST place that Wilbur talks. Often authors purposely make the first thing a main character says "important." Is this the case in what Wilbur says?
* Construct a Chart Activity - p. 22. The food from the human beings' table goes into the pig and the pig, in turn returns to the human beings' table – humans have bacon for breakfast, pork chops and other things. Look at the farm animals in this book –what are meats and other "products" called that come from these animals that humans use or eat.
* ONGOING DISCUSSION (continued throughout the novel as Wilbur changes): Wilbur is "self-absorbed" early in the book. What do you think "self-absorbed" means? What do you think is the opposite of "self-absorbed?" DISCUSS THIS THROUGHOUT EACH CHAPTER LOOKING FOR evidence that indicates where Wilbur is on the journey to empathy.
* What do you think it means when Mr. Zuckerman says on the last page, "Yes, he'll make a good pig." ???
* Which, if any, of the animals in the barn rely on human beings to stay alive? Are there any of the creatures that do NOT rely on humans?
* Chapter 3 Image - and summary writing
CHAPTER 4 Loneliness
* List Activity # 3: RAIN FELL list –do you own using, "Wind blew," or "Snow fell. Pick any type of weather situation and model your own list after E.B. White's in this passage.
* This chapter speaks of Wilbur being "lonely." It is said that one of the themes of "Charlotte's Web" is friendship. How would the book be different if Wilbur came to the barn and all the animals were his immediate friends? "Loneliness" can be said to be the opposite of "friendship." Do you think that opposites help us better understand ourselves and our world? For instance, would you understand what "cold" is without having felt "hot?" Make a list of opposites that help us understand meanings of words.
* Many things made Wilbur's day the "worst day of his life." Which of those things do you think was the very worst and why? Why do you think E.B. White uses the "worst day of his life" to introduce the reader to Charlotte?
* Chapter 4 Image - and summary writing
CHAPTER 5 CHARLOTTE
* E.B. White did an enormous amount of research on spiders, studying their habits for about a year before he ever started writing.
* LEARNING ABOUT SPIDERS –make a booklet about spiders for your annotated book.
* Writers are called omniscient authors –they know the whole story before they ever begin writing. Omniscient authors know more about their characters than the characters know about themselves; they know how the story is going to turn out even before it has been told. Omniscient authors who are skilled give the reader clues throughout their novel that point to what will happen. (on last page: "Underneath her rather bold and cruel exterior, she had a kind heart, and she was to prove loyal and true to the very end.") Most know the story of Charlotte and her web. How might this be a BIG clue about what will happen?
* Chapter 5 Image - and summary writing
CHAPTER 6 SUMMER DAYS
* On second page of this chapter, read aloud: "Early summer days are a jubilee time for birds……" Listen to bird songs and do activity at: https://academy.allaboutbirds.org/features/bird-song-hero/bird-song-hero-tutorial
* Description of Templeton: "The rat had no morals, no conscience, no scruples … (learn about those word meanings and create an entry into your annotated book)
* practice moving like animals –
HOW TO BE A CAT - Improvisation | Cats the Musical
How to Walk Like a Chicken in 7 Easy Steps with Captain Breadbeard
WALK LIKE A DUCK: https://youtu.be/g0eQwDzH5BU
* Chapter 6 Image - and summary writing
CHAPTER 7 BAD NEWS
* What is "egocentrism?" What, if anything, is good about egocentrism? What do you think is the opposite of egocentrism? How does Wilbur react when he hears the bad news? What are other ways he could have reacted? What are different ways you can face bad news?
* Chapter 7 Image - and summary writing
CHAPTER 8 A TALK AT HOME
* Last page –"Maybe they do talk" Read the passage and discuss. What do you think –back up your ideas?
* Chapter 8 Image - and summary writing
CHAPTER 9 WILBUR'S BOAST
* Draw and label the parts of a spider for your annotated book.
* Chapter 9 Image - and summary writing
CHAPTER 10 AN EXPLOSION
* Life cycle of a spider visual image for annotated book
* barn rope swings – RESEARCH Farm Barn Rope Swing
* Chapter 10 Image - and summary writing
CHAPTER 11 THE MIRACLE
* Discussion: Zuckerman thinks it is the pig that is unusual, not the web. Even the crowds do the same. Why do you think this is so?
* Create section in notebook on spider webs. Have students build one on sections of black foamboard with white string, following model.
* The minister said that the words on the spider's web proved that human beings must always be on the watch for the coming of wonder. GO ON A MIRACLE SEEKING WALK
* Chapter 11 Image - and summary writing
CHAPTER 12 A MEETING
* Create food chain of the animals in the farm for annotated book
* Chapter 12 Image - and summary writing
CHAPTER 13 - GOOD PROGRESS
* Using white crayon on black paper have kids follow directions in this chapter on how Charlotte makes the "T", etc for word "Terrific"
* LIST WRITING # 4: Description of the dump. Writing –description of trash can at student's home. "SEE what others would never notice." What might you find in a trash can in your house?
* Research: What other things can spiders eat besides insects and how do they eat them? Chart for annotated book.
* Research: balloonist spiders –create image for annotated book with brief explanation
* Chapter 13 Image - and summary writing
CHAPTER 14 - DR. DORIAN
* Discussion: What is animal instinct. Begin reading – "Have you heard about the words that appeared on the spider's web?" … "But I don't understand everything , and I don't intend to let it worry me." What are things you can think of that animals do that seem impossible for them to do?
* Do you think animals talk? Writing activity.
* Read the description of Avery here that is followed by, "He's fine." However, Mrs. Arable is worried about Fern because she spends so much time with the farm animals. Discuss this. See any problems or not?
* Chapter 14 Image - and summary writing
CHAPTER 15 - THE CRICKETS
* Read White's description about the season changing from summer to fall. WRITING: pick a season you like and do a parallel writing of what you see, hear, smell as the next season takes over.
* At the end of this chapter what do you see that suggests Wilbur is still egocentric?
* Chapter 15 Image - and summary writing
CHAPTER 16 - OFF TO THE FAIR
* Check out the the Blue Hill Fair https://bluehillfair.com/index.php
AND the Fryeburg Fair: https://www.fryeburgfair.org/
What things did you see that you think would be fun?
* Read the list that the sheep used to manipulate/persuade Templeton. Are manipulating and persuading the same thing or different? What is the difference between manipulation/persuading that works and what doesn't work? RESEARCH: meaning of manipulation and persuading. Can manipulation be good?
* White has another of his famous lists and the end of this chapter when Templeton lists all the things he doesn't want to happen to him. Draw sketches that show how these VERBS are different and label in your annotated book.
* Even though Wilbur is at the fair because he is famous, what is said in this chapter that tells us Wilbur isn't safe YET from being butchered for Christmas dinner!?
* Create a chart of how much a pig weighs at BIRTH, at 6 months, and at a YEAR. Find out when a pig is no longer called a pig, but called a "hog."
* Chapter 15 Image - and summary writing
CHAPTER 16 - UNCLE
* Mr. and Mrs. Arable give Fern and Avery a list of things they are NOT to do. Read these "PROHIBITIONS" –make a list of prohibitions your parents might give you if you were going to go to a fair with and friend and without them.
* Charlotte is worried about how big Uncle is –some spring pigs grow to be huge. Wilbur is not one of those. Typically Blue Ribbons go to the biggest hogs. Mr. Zuckerman knows that Wilbur isn't a large pig so why do you think Mr. Zuckerman decided to take Wilbur to the fair?
* Chapter 16 Image - and summary writing
CHAPTER 17 - THE COOL OF THE EVENING
* Templeton brought Charlotte the word, "humble." Humility is not thinking less of yourself but think of yourself less. DISCUSS humility. Writing –Why is it a good thing to be humble? What are ways I can be more humble?
* What questions does Wilbur ask Charlotte that shows Wilbur is still "egocentric" in this chapter? Make a list of words or phrases that mean the same thing as "egocentric." (include in annotated book)
* Chapter 17 Image - and summary writing
CHAPTER 18 - THE EGG SAC
* Wilbur asks Charlotte what "languishing" means? Do you think this question is about fear for Charlotte or is he afraid for him? What does Wilbur have to fear if something happens to Charlotte? What is empathy?
Is it about Wilbur still being "egocentric" or is he feeling empathy?
* SCAVENGER HUNT: find the one sentence in this chapter that proves Charlotte is certain she succeeded in saving Wilbur's life.
* Chapter 18 Image - and summary writing
CHAPTER 19 - THE HOUR OF TRIUMPH
* Who's hour of triumph is it? Explain.
* Why is the book called, "Charlotte's Web?" Who is the main character? What title could E.B. White have given it so that Wilbur is in the title? What title could he have given it so both Wilbur and Charlotte are in the title? What title could he have given it that gives the reader an idea about what the story is about but doesn't have either Charlotte or Wilbur's name in the title?
* Chapter 20 Image - and summary writing
CHAPTER 21 - LAST DAY
* Throughout the novel, Charlotte has been the one working for her friend, Wilbur. Finally, now –we see Wilbur taking command to help Charlotte. What was his idea about how he could best help her? What was his plan? (Quote directly from the book)
* This is a book about many things, including death. A number of teachers, librarians, and parents objected to the subject of death in a children's book when "Charlotte's Web" came out. Why do you think this is? What do you think about whether children's books should sometimes have stories about characters dying?
* Writing: The last sentence in this chapter is, "No one was with her when she died." What makes this sentence so powerful? Write in annotated book.
* Chapter 21 Image - and summary writing
CHAPTER 22 - A WARM WIND
* "Charlotte's Web" is a "circular" novel. It ends where it begins. Explain.
* How do we see the "circular" use of words at the end of the novel?
* Chapter 22 Image - and summary writing
CHARLOTTE'S WEB WRITING PROJECT
Themes in Charlotte's web include: friendship, the seasons, sacrifice, death, rebirth, growing up, Use LitChart discussion on these themes in a discussion with students. Each students discusses a theme for their paper following model and rubric.
PROMPT: Which theme in "Charlotte's Web" do you think helped you to understand yourself, other people, and your world better?
(books will create a "hard" copy book that contains art, writing, graphs, etc.)
CHAPTER 1 BEFORE BREAKFAST
* ARABLE means "plowable" - discussion on the meaning in names in the novel
* Wilbur is the first animal we see - implications of author's choice of when to introduce a character
* p. 3 activity on smells from a familiar place –(discussion student writing –Make a List of Smells from a familiar place to you, modeling E.B. White)
* Chapter 1 Image - and summary writing
CHAPTER 2 WILBUR
* Research: How do you raise a runt pig?
* Research: What is a spring pig?
* Discussion: The protagonists of all 3 of E.B. White's novels are aberrant: What does that mean? What makes Stuart Little aberrant? What makes Louis the Trumpet swan aberrant? Why is Wilbur aberrant? Why do you think E.B.White chose aberrant main characters?
* Chapter 2 Image - and summary writing
CHAPTER 3 ESCAPE
* E. B. WHITE'S use of list Activity, Part 2: Find in the "list" in chapter 2 and create a list of your own on any topic in your own life that a list can "PAINT" a picture of
* E.B. White studied the animals he wrote about by writing things he saw them do. DO A STUDY OF ELLIE (our school therapy dog)
* "... it made Wilbur happy to know that she was sitting there, right outside his pen. But he never had any fun –no walks, no rides, no swims. DISCUSSION ACTIVITY about caged animals in zoos
* Scavenger Hunt: Find the FIRST place that Wilbur talks. Often authors purposely make the first thing a main character says "important." Is this the case in what Wilbur says?
* Construct a Chart Activity - p. 22. The food from the human beings' table goes into the pig and the pig, in turn returns to the human beings' table – humans have bacon for breakfast, pork chops and other things. Look at the farm animals in this book –what are meats and other "products" called that come from these animals that humans use or eat.
* ONGOING DISCUSSION (continued throughout the novel as Wilbur changes): Wilbur is "self-absorbed" early in the book. What do you think "self-absorbed" means? What do you think is the opposite of "self-absorbed?" DISCUSS THIS THROUGHOUT EACH CHAPTER LOOKING FOR evidence that indicates where Wilbur is on the journey to empathy.
* What do you think it means when Mr. Zuckerman says on the last page, "Yes, he'll make a good pig." ???
* Which, if any, of the animals in the barn rely on human beings to stay alive? Are there any of the creatures that do NOT rely on humans?
* Chapter 3 Image - and summary writing
CHAPTER 4 Loneliness
* List Activity # 3: RAIN FELL list –do you own using, "Wind blew," or "Snow fell. Pick any type of weather situation and model your own list after E.B. White's in this passage.
* This chapter speaks of Wilbur being "lonely." It is said that one of the themes of "Charlotte's Web" is friendship. How would the book be different if Wilbur came to the barn and all the animals were his immediate friends? "Loneliness" can be said to be the opposite of "friendship." Do you think that opposites help us better understand ourselves and our world? For instance, would you understand what "cold" is without having felt "hot?" Make a list of opposites that help us understand meanings of words.
* Many things made Wilbur's day the "worst day of his life." Which of those things do you think was the very worst and why? Why do you think E.B. White uses the "worst day of his life" to introduce the reader to Charlotte?
* Chapter 4 Image - and summary writing
CHAPTER 5 CHARLOTTE
* E.B. White did an enormous amount of research on spiders, studying their habits for about a year before he ever started writing.
* LEARNING ABOUT SPIDERS –make a booklet about spiders for your annotated book.
* Writers are called omniscient authors –they know the whole story before they ever begin writing. Omniscient authors know more about their characters than the characters know about themselves; they know how the story is going to turn out even before it has been told. Omniscient authors who are skilled give the reader clues throughout their novel that point to what will happen. (on last page: "Underneath her rather bold and cruel exterior, she had a kind heart, and she was to prove loyal and true to the very end.") Most know the story of Charlotte and her web. How might this be a BIG clue about what will happen?
* Chapter 5 Image - and summary writing
CHAPTER 6 SUMMER DAYS
* On second page of this chapter, read aloud: "Early summer days are a jubilee time for birds……" Listen to bird songs and do activity at: https://academy.allaboutbirds.org/features/bird-song-hero/bird-song-hero-tutorial
* Description of Templeton: "The rat had no morals, no conscience, no scruples … (learn about those word meanings and create an entry into your annotated book)
* practice moving like animals –
HOW TO BE A CAT - Improvisation | Cats the Musical
How to Walk Like a Chicken in 7 Easy Steps with Captain Breadbeard
WALK LIKE A DUCK: https://youtu.be/g0eQwDzH5BU
* Chapter 6 Image - and summary writing
CHAPTER 7 BAD NEWS
* What is "egocentrism?" What, if anything, is good about egocentrism? What do you think is the opposite of egocentrism? How does Wilbur react when he hears the bad news? What are other ways he could have reacted? What are different ways you can face bad news?
* Chapter 7 Image - and summary writing
CHAPTER 8 A TALK AT HOME
* Last page –"Maybe they do talk" Read the passage and discuss. What do you think –back up your ideas?
* Chapter 8 Image - and summary writing
CHAPTER 9 WILBUR'S BOAST
* Draw and label the parts of a spider for your annotated book.
* Chapter 9 Image - and summary writing
CHAPTER 10 AN EXPLOSION
* Life cycle of a spider visual image for annotated book
* barn rope swings – RESEARCH Farm Barn Rope Swing
* Chapter 10 Image - and summary writing
CHAPTER 11 THE MIRACLE
* Discussion: Zuckerman thinks it is the pig that is unusual, not the web. Even the crowds do the same. Why do you think this is so?
* Create section in notebook on spider webs. Have students build one on sections of black foamboard with white string, following model.
* The minister said that the words on the spider's web proved that human beings must always be on the watch for the coming of wonder. GO ON A MIRACLE SEEKING WALK
* Chapter 11 Image - and summary writing
CHAPTER 12 A MEETING
* Create food chain of the animals in the farm for annotated book
* Chapter 12 Image - and summary writing
CHAPTER 13 - GOOD PROGRESS
* Using white crayon on black paper have kids follow directions in this chapter on how Charlotte makes the "T", etc for word "Terrific"
* LIST WRITING # 4: Description of the dump. Writing –description of trash can at student's home. "SEE what others would never notice." What might you find in a trash can in your house?
* Research: What other things can spiders eat besides insects and how do they eat them? Chart for annotated book.
* Research: balloonist spiders –create image for annotated book with brief explanation
* Chapter 13 Image - and summary writing
CHAPTER 14 - DR. DORIAN
* Discussion: What is animal instinct. Begin reading – "Have you heard about the words that appeared on the spider's web?" … "But I don't understand everything , and I don't intend to let it worry me." What are things you can think of that animals do that seem impossible for them to do?
* Do you think animals talk? Writing activity.
* Read the description of Avery here that is followed by, "He's fine." However, Mrs. Arable is worried about Fern because she spends so much time with the farm animals. Discuss this. See any problems or not?
* Chapter 14 Image - and summary writing
CHAPTER 15 - THE CRICKETS
* Read White's description about the season changing from summer to fall. WRITING: pick a season you like and do a parallel writing of what you see, hear, smell as the next season takes over.
* At the end of this chapter what do you see that suggests Wilbur is still egocentric?
* Chapter 15 Image - and summary writing
CHAPTER 16 - OFF TO THE FAIR
* Check out the the Blue Hill Fair https://bluehillfair.com/index.php
AND the Fryeburg Fair: https://www.fryeburgfair.org/
What things did you see that you think would be fun?
* Read the list that the sheep used to manipulate/persuade Templeton. Are manipulating and persuading the same thing or different? What is the difference between manipulation/persuading that works and what doesn't work? RESEARCH: meaning of manipulation and persuading. Can manipulation be good?
* White has another of his famous lists and the end of this chapter when Templeton lists all the things he doesn't want to happen to him. Draw sketches that show how these VERBS are different and label in your annotated book.
* Even though Wilbur is at the fair because he is famous, what is said in this chapter that tells us Wilbur isn't safe YET from being butchered for Christmas dinner!?
* Create a chart of how much a pig weighs at BIRTH, at 6 months, and at a YEAR. Find out when a pig is no longer called a pig, but called a "hog."
* Chapter 15 Image - and summary writing
CHAPTER 16 - UNCLE
* Mr. and Mrs. Arable give Fern and Avery a list of things they are NOT to do. Read these "PROHIBITIONS" –make a list of prohibitions your parents might give you if you were going to go to a fair with and friend and without them.
* Charlotte is worried about how big Uncle is –some spring pigs grow to be huge. Wilbur is not one of those. Typically Blue Ribbons go to the biggest hogs. Mr. Zuckerman knows that Wilbur isn't a large pig so why do you think Mr. Zuckerman decided to take Wilbur to the fair?
* Chapter 16 Image - and summary writing
CHAPTER 17 - THE COOL OF THE EVENING
* Templeton brought Charlotte the word, "humble." Humility is not thinking less of yourself but think of yourself less. DISCUSS humility. Writing –Why is it a good thing to be humble? What are ways I can be more humble?
* What questions does Wilbur ask Charlotte that shows Wilbur is still "egocentric" in this chapter? Make a list of words or phrases that mean the same thing as "egocentric." (include in annotated book)
* Chapter 17 Image - and summary writing
CHAPTER 18 - THE EGG SAC
* Wilbur asks Charlotte what "languishing" means? Do you think this question is about fear for Charlotte or is he afraid for him? What does Wilbur have to fear if something happens to Charlotte? What is empathy?
Is it about Wilbur still being "egocentric" or is he feeling empathy?
* SCAVENGER HUNT: find the one sentence in this chapter that proves Charlotte is certain she succeeded in saving Wilbur's life.
* Chapter 18 Image - and summary writing
CHAPTER 19 - THE HOUR OF TRIUMPH
* Who's hour of triumph is it? Explain.
* Why is the book called, "Charlotte's Web?" Who is the main character? What title could E.B. White have given it so that Wilbur is in the title? What title could he have given it so both Wilbur and Charlotte are in the title? What title could he have given it that gives the reader an idea about what the story is about but doesn't have either Charlotte or Wilbur's name in the title?
* Chapter 20 Image - and summary writing
CHAPTER 21 - LAST DAY
* Throughout the novel, Charlotte has been the one working for her friend, Wilbur. Finally, now –we see Wilbur taking command to help Charlotte. What was his idea about how he could best help her? What was his plan? (Quote directly from the book)
* This is a book about many things, including death. A number of teachers, librarians, and parents objected to the subject of death in a children's book when "Charlotte's Web" came out. Why do you think this is? What do you think about whether children's books should sometimes have stories about characters dying?
* Writing: The last sentence in this chapter is, "No one was with her when she died." What makes this sentence so powerful? Write in annotated book.
* Chapter 21 Image - and summary writing
CHAPTER 22 - A WARM WIND
* "Charlotte's Web" is a "circular" novel. It ends where it begins. Explain.
* How do we see the "circular" use of words at the end of the novel?
* Chapter 22 Image - and summary writing
CHARLOTTE'S WEB WRITING PROJECT
Themes in Charlotte's web include: friendship, the seasons, sacrifice, death, rebirth, growing up, Use LitChart discussion on these themes in a discussion with students. Each students discusses a theme for their paper following model and rubric.
PROMPT: Which theme in "Charlotte's Web" do you think helped you to understand yourself, other people, and your world better?
