Charlotte gave her web a twitch and moodily watched it sway.A quick little tug.
Charlotte's Web
Chapter 15
E. B. White · Scouts 1st–3rd
Copywork
Charlotte gave her web a twitch and moodily watched it sway.
Read the sentence aloud. What do you picture when Charlotte moodily watches her web sway?
Discussion
Narration Tell what happened in this chapter, in order: the crickets, Wilbur's days, and his talk with Charlotte about the Fair. Slow down at the end.
- The crickets sing that summer is over, and Charlotte "knew that she hadn't much time left." What does the song mean for her? What makes you think so? Inference
- The crickets feel it is their duty to warn everybody that summer cannot last. Is it kind to warn, or only sad? What makes you think so? Theme
- Wilbur's friends worry that fame will make him stuck up, but it never does. Why do you think he stays modest? Character
- Wilbur begs, "I need you, Charlotte." She says she had better stay home. Is it fair of Wilbur to ask her? Why or why not? Moral reasoning
- Charlotte tells Wilbur, "I'll come to the Fair if I possibly can." How does she sound when she says it? What tells you? Tone
- The last paragraph tells us what Charlotte knows while Wilbur is taking life easy in the straw. Why might the author end the chapter that way? Author's choice
Make a Connection Tell about a time you kept a worry to yourself so you would not upset someone.
Vocabulary
- twitch
- moodily
moodily watched it sway.
In a gloomy, thoughtful way.- sway
moodily watched it sway.
To swing slowly from side to side.- monotonous
a sad, monotonous song.
Always the same, so it gets dull.- uneasy
they felt so uneasy
Worried and restless.- anxiety
turned bright red with anxiety.
A worried, nervous feeling.- modest
Wilbur was modest; fame did not spoil him.
Not showing off.- versatile
I'm versatile.
Able to do many different things.- forsake
I knew you wouldn't forsake me
To leave someone who needs you.
Critical thinking
- In the daytime Wilbur feels happy and confident, but at night he sometimes has a bad dream. Why are they so different? Give two reasons.
- Wilbur believes doing well at the Fair will save him. What do you think of that hope? Give two reasons from the chapter.
- Wilbur guesses that "versatile" means "full of eggs," and Charlotte explains it. What does that show about how she talks with him? Give two reasons.