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Charlotte's Web
Scouts · 1st–3rd
Charlotte says Templeton had better come to the Fair, and then the old sheep talks him into it. Is that fair to Templeton, or only clever?
The tension Templeton says he has no interest in fairs; then the old sheep describes a rat's paradise and Charlotte winks at her.
Notice how the old sheep and Charlotte get Templeton to the Fair, and what Wilbur hears at the end.
On the night before the Fair everyone goes to bed early, and the next day Mrs. Zuckerman gives Wilbur a buttermilk bath. Charlotte says she will go to the Fair after all, and the old sheep talks Templeton into coming. Both hide in the crate. When Wilbur hears Mr. Arable mention ham and bacon, he faints, and then the truck carries everyone to the Fair.
Start with the barn the night before. Ask who sleeps, who is awake, and what each of them is planning.
Retell The student tells the chapter back in order: the dreams, the morning, the buttermilk bath, the animals' talk, the hiding in the crate, Mr. Arable's remark, and the truck driving away.
Imitate the author After copying the passage, the student writes two sentences of their own: one with a character grumbling, then one saying what they do not care about.
Debate Take sides on the big question: is it fair to talk Templeton into going, or only clever? Each side must use one line from the chapter.
Purpose Close by asking why a story might let friends plan something together and then let a single remark upset it.
Easier Read the scene with the old sheep and Templeton aloud together and talk through discussion questions 2 and 3 only.
On level Talk through all four discussion questions, then have the student answer one critical-thinking question aloud with two reasons from the chapter.
Harder Ask the student to say what Templeton might answer the old sheep afterward, using his words from the chapter.
1. Mrs. Zuckerman gives Wilbur a buttermilk bath, and Mr. Zuckerman says, "Edith, you're crazy." Who is right about the bath? What makes you think so?Character
What it asks It asks the student to weigh Mrs. Zuckerman's practical eye against Mr. Zuckerman's pride in his pig.
Mrs. Zuckerman is right: Wilbur really is dirty, and the bath makes him prettier.
He's filthy behind the ears,
he was the cleanest, prettiest pig you ever saw
Mr. Zuckerman is right that it is an odd thing to do, since Wilbur lies in clean straw.
Wilbur's not dirty,
He lays in clean straw,
A strong answer Mrs. Zuckerman has the better of it: she says Wilbur is filthy behind the ears and the bath leaves him pure white and smooth as silk. Mr. Zuckerman is not wrong that it is odd, since Wilbur lies in clean straw and he calls her crazy. A strong answer picks one of them and says what the other might say back.
2. The old sheep tells Wilbur to struggle when the men put him in the crate. Is that good advice? Why or why not?Moral reasoning
What it asks It asks whether pretending to resist, in order to look ordinary, is a good plan, and what it costs Wilbur.
Good advice: it keeps Mr. Zuckerman from thinking something odd is going on.
If you were to walk into the crate without resisting, Zuckerman might think you were bewitched.
Pigs always resist when they are being loaded.
Not so good: it makes Wilbur dirty, and he is already afraid.
If I struggle I'll get dirty,
Wilbur kicked and thrashed and grunted.
A strong answer It is good advice for the plan: the old sheep says that if Wilbur walked in without a fuss, Zuckerman might think he was bewitched. But it costs Wilbur, who says he will get dirty and ends up kicking and thrashing. A strong answer takes a side and says what the other side would answer.
3. Under the straw, Templeton thinks, "What fantastic creatures boys are!" How does he sound? What tells you?Tone
What it asks It asks the student to hear Templeton's voice as he thinks about Avery's foot, and decide whether he is scared, cross, or both.
Cross: he is annoyed at being stepped on and at himself for coming.
What a mess!
Why did I let myself in for this?
Frightened, but covering it with a sneer.
I don't want to be stepped on, or kicked in the face, or pummeled, or crushed in any way
Avery's foot touched Templeton under the straw.
A strong answer He sounds cross: he thinks what a mess and says boys are fantastic creatures, and he asks why he let himself in for this. But the list of things he does not want to happen also sounds scared. A strong answer reads one line aloud and says which voice it hears.
4. Mr. Arable says Wilbur will make "some extra good ham and bacon." Why do you think the author puts that line right at the moment when Wilbur looks most radiant?Author's choice
What it asks It asks why the author lets the happiest, most admired moment end with a hard remark.
It shows how fragile the good moment is: Wilbur is still not safe.
Wilbur heard these words and his heart almost stopped.
all radiance gone
It makes the reader laugh and worry together, because Mr. Arable means it kindly.
Yes, he's a wonderful pig,
It's hard to believe that he was the runt of the litter.
A strong answer Mr. Arable praises Wilbur and then, almost without thinking, speaks of ham and bacon. That shows how the people around Wilbur still see him, and the chapter says Wilbur's heart almost stopped and all radiance was gone. A strong answer says what the reader feels and why the author may have put the line there.
1. Charlotte says, "I shall go, too." What does that show about her? Give two reasons from the chapter.
What it asks It asks what Charlotte's sudden decision shows about how she cares for Wilbur and how she thinks.
She cares about Wilbur and does not want to leave him alone.
I have decided to go with Wilbur. He may need me.
We can't tell what may happen at the Fair Grounds.
She plans ahead and uses her skill: she is the one who writes.
Somebody's got to go along who knows how to write.
I might need somebody to run errands and do general work.
A strong answer Charlotte says Wilbur may need her and that nobody can tell what may happen at the Fair Grounds, so she goes because she cares. She also says somebody has to go who knows how to write, and she wants Templeton for errands, so she has thought it through. A strong answer gives two pieces of evidence and says which reason seems bigger.
2. The geese cheer many times in this chapter. What does that show about the geese? Give two reasons.
What it asks It asks what the repeated cheers show about the geese, and whether they understand what is going on.
They are loyal and want to be part of the great day.
The geese cheered.
The geese gathered around to see the fun, and so did the sheep and lambs.
They cheer at almost everything, even when something goes wrong.
Wilbur, feeling the cold water, came to. He rose slowly to his feet, while the geese cheered.
The truck stopped. The geese cheered.
A strong answer The geese cheer a great deal, so they seem loyal and happy to be part of Wilbur's big day. But they also cheer when Wilbur has just fainted and come to, and when the truck has just stopped rolling, so they cheer at nearly anything. A strong answer gives two pieces of evidence and says what the cheering shows.
3. Avery climbs into the crate and Wilbur faints. What does this scene show about the people? Give two reasons.
What it asks It asks what the people do when Wilbur faints, and what each one thinks is wrong.
They care about the pig: they fetch water and kneel by him.
Lurvy ran for a pail of water. Fern climbed into the pen and knelt by Wilbur's side.
Her eyes were brimming with tears.
They do not understand what happened: they guess a reason that is not the real one.
It's sunstroke,
The heat is too much for him.
A strong answer The people care: Lurvy runs for water, Fern kneels at Wilbur's side with tears in her eyes, and Mr. Zuckerman is cheerful once he stands up. But they do not know the real reason, since Mr. Zuckerman says it is sunstroke. A strong answer gives two pieces of evidence and says what they know and what they miss.