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Chapter 15

Charlotte's Web

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.

1. 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

2. 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

3. Wilbur's friends worry that fame will make him stuck up, but it never does. Why do you think he stays modest?Character

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

Crossword
1
23
45
6
7
8
Across
  • Across 1. A quick little tug.
  • Across 2. In a gloomy, thoughtful way.
  • Across 4. To swing slowly from side to side.
  • Across 7. Able to do many different things.
  • Across 8. Worried and restless.
Down
  • Down 2. Always the same, so it gets dull.
  • Down 3. To leave someone who needs you.
  • Down 5. A worried, nervous feeling.
  • Down 6. Not showing off.
The words in the chapter
  • twitch Charlotte gave her web a twitch and moodily watched it sway.
  • moodily moodily watched it sway.
  • sway moodily watched it sway.
  • monotonous a sad, monotonous song.
  • uneasy they felt so uneasy
  • anxiety turned bright red with anxiety.
  • modest Wilbur was modest; fame did not spoil him.
  • versatile I'm versatile.
  • forsake I knew you wouldn't forsake me

Critical thinking

1. 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.

2. Wilbur believes doing well at the Fair will save him. What do you think of that hope? Give two reasons from the chapter.

3. 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.