Charlotte's Web
Chapter 17 — Teaching Companion
E. B. White · Scouts 1st–3rd
Coaching, not a script — and not an answer key: every question here has more than one defensible answer.
This chapter's big question
Charlotte tells Wilbur about the huge pig next door and admits she is tired. Is that honest friendship, or does it only add to his worry?
The tension Charlotte says it is a good thing Wilbur cannot see what she sees, then tells him anyway, and Wilbur is left worried about the pig and about her.
Today's focus
Notice what Charlotte tells Wilbur at the Fair and how he takes it.
Two core ideas
- Charlotte tells Wilbur the hard facts: the pig next door is bigger, and she herself is tired.
- At the Fair there is a lot of noise and bustle, and Wilbur is left worrying while the people sleep.
The shape at a glance
The Zuckermans and Arables reach the Fair Grounds and give Fern and Avery money and warnings. Charlotte slips out of the crate and goes to see the big pig, Uncle. She tells Wilbur he will be hard to beat and that she feels tired. Wilbur worries all morning while the people sleep after lunch.
A way in
Start with Fern and Avery running off to the Fair. Ask what each of the grown-ups says, and what Mrs. Arable does.
Lesson plan
Retell The student tells the chapter back in order: the arrival, the warnings, Wilbur's new pen, Charlotte and Uncle, Charlotte's tiredness, the morning, and the nap.
Imitate the author After copying the passage, the student writes two sentences in the same pattern: one short sentence about someone looking at a friend, then one that tells what the person sees.
Debate Take sides on the big question: is it honest friendship to tell Wilbur, or does it only add to his worry? Each side must use one line from the chapter.
Purpose Close by asking why a story might let a friend tell a hard truth and leave the hero worried.
Easier Read Charlotte's visit to Uncle aloud together and talk through discussion questions 2 and 4 only.
On level Talk through all six 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 Charlotte might have said if she had kept quiet, and what Wilbur might have felt then.
Discussion
- Wilbur says maybe the big pig is older and "has had more time to grow." Why might he say that? What makes you think so?Inference
What it asks It asks why Wilbur offers a reason for the bigger pig, and whether it is fairness or hope.
One reading
He is hoping: a reason helps him feel less afraid of the bigger pig.
Maybe he's older than I am, and has had more time to grow,
Tears began to come to his eyes.
Another reading
He is being fair and thinking of how a pig grows.
Maybe he's older than I am, and has had more time to grow,
Listen for
- Uses what Wilbur says or does when he hears about the pig.
- Allows that he may be hopeful and fair at once.
If stuck
- What does Charlotte tell Wilbur about the pig?
- What happens to Wilbur's eyes after he answers?
- Can a person give a reason to make themselves feel better?
A strong answer Wilbur may be hoping a good reason exists, because tears begin to come to his eyes as he speaks. He may also be thinking fairly about how a pig grows. A strong answer picks one and uses what Wilbur says and what he does.
- Charlotte says she "took quite a dislike" to Uncle after one short talk. Is that fair to him? Why or why not?Moral reasoning
What it asks It asks whether a short meeting is enough to judge someone, and what Charlotte saw in Uncle.
One reading
Fair: she asked him politely and he answered with weak jokes and noise.
He is too familiar, too noisy, and he cracks weak jokes.
I took quite a dislike to him in our brief interview.
Another reading
Not quite fair: he was only friendly in his own way, and she wants Wilbur to win.
No name," he said in a big, hearty voice. "Just call me Uncle.
He's going to be a hard pig to beat, though, Wilbur
Listen for
- Gives a reason, not only yes or no.
- Says what Uncle did and what Charlotte hopes for Wilbur.
If stuck
- How does Uncle answer Charlotte's first question?
- What does Charlotte list as wrong with him?
- Whom does Charlotte want to see do well?
A strong answer Charlotte has some cause: Uncle is loud and cracks weak jokes, and she says he is too familiar. But she also says he is a hard pig to beat and she is on Wilbur's side, so she may be harder on him than she would be otherwise. A strong answer takes a side and says what the other side would answer.
- At the Fair, crowds stare at Wilbur and he "tried to look extra good." Why does he try so hard? What makes you think so?Theme
What it asks It asks why Wilbur works at looking good for strangers, and what he thinks depends on it.
One reading
He wants to be admired, because a crowd is watching.
crowds gathered to watch
Wilbur stared back and tried to look extra good.
Another reading
He is afraid of losing: he worries about the bigger pig.
He couldn't help overhearing these remarks, and he couldn't help worrying.
Oh, dear!
Listen for
- Uses what Wilbur does or thinks.
- Notices what Wilbur is hoping the Fair will do for him.
If stuck
- What do the crowds do when Wilbur is unloaded?
- What does Wilbur do when they stare?
- What does he worry about later?
A strong answer Wilbur wants to be admired: when crowds gather he stares back and tries to look extra good. He is also afraid of losing to the bigger pig, since he cannot help overhearing the remarks about Uncle and cannot help worrying. A strong answer picks the reason that seems bigger and uses one thing Wilbur does or thinks.
- Uncle laughs at his own joke, and Charlotte answers, "Mildly funny." How does each of them sound? What tells you?Tone
What it asks It asks the student to hear Uncle's big laugh and Charlotte's cool answer, and say what each voice is like.
One reading
Uncle is loud and pleased with himself, and Charlotte is polite but dry.
Haw, haw - that's a good one, eh, Sister.
I've heard funnier ones, though.
Another reading
Charlotte is a little cutting: she says it in a way that does not hide that she is not amused.
Mildly funny,
Glad to have met you, and now I must be going.
Listen for
- Reads one line of each aloud in the voice the student hears.
- Says how Charlotte's words and her leaving fit together.
If stuck
- Read Uncle's laugh aloud. How loud is it?
- What does Charlotte say next about funnier ones?
- How does she end the talk?
A strong answer Uncle sounds big and pleased with himself, laughing at his own joke. Charlotte is polite but dry: she says mildly funny, then that she has heard funnier ones and must be going. A strong answer reads one line from each aloud and says how they sound next to each other.
- Wilbur tells Charlotte, "Perhaps if you spin a web and catch a couple of flies you'll feel better." What does that tell you about Wilbur?Character
What it asks It asks what Wilbur's offer to help shows about him, now that his friend is the one in need.
One reading
He is caring: he is sorry and he tries to think of something that would help her.
I'm awfully sorry to hear that you're feeling poorly, Charlotte,
Perhaps if you spin a web and catch a couple of flies you'll feel better.
Another reading
He is still thinking of himself too, because he worries about what her weakness means for him.
And now, with Charlotte not feeling well ...
Oh, dear!
Listen for
- Uses what Wilbur says to Charlotte and what he thinks to himself.
- Allows that he may be caring and anxious at once.
If stuck
- What does Wilbur say when he hears she is not well?
- What does he notice about how she looks?
- What does he think after the people admire the other pig?
A strong answer Wilbur is caring: he says he is sorry and offers the one thing he knows she likes, a web and some flies. But he is also anxious for himself, thinking that with Charlotte not well, oh, dear. A strong answer says what he does for her and what he fears for himself.
- After a hot, worried morning, the chapter ends with the people asleep in the shade of Lurvy's blanket. Why might the author end it that way?Author's choice
What it asks It asks what a quiet nap does at the end of a worried morning, and what the reader keeps thinking about.
One reading
It gives a rest after the heat and the crowds, so the reader can slow down.
The sun beat down on everything. Nobody seemed hungry.
After lunch, they stretched out and fell asleep.
Another reading
It leaves the reader thinking of Wilbur and Charlotte, who are still worried while the people sleep.
leaving Wilbur very much worried
he couldn't help worrying
Listen for
- Says what the reader feels at the end.
- Compares the sleeping people with Wilbur.
If stuck
- What does Lurvy do with the blanket?
- What do the people do after lunch?
- Who is still worried at the end?
A strong answer The nap is a rest after the heat and the crowds, so the chapter ends quietly. But Wilbur is left very much worried and the people sleep without knowing it, so the reader keeps thinking about him. A strong answer says what the reader feels and why the author may have wanted that.
Critical thinking
- Mr. Arable, Mrs. Arable and Mrs. Zuckerman give Fern and Avery money and many warnings. What do the warnings show about the grown-ups? Give two reasons.
What it asks It asks what the long list of warnings shows about how the grown-ups feel as Fern and Avery run off.
One reading
They worry and care a great deal.
Watch out for pickpockets!
Then she sighed. Then she blew her nose.
Another reading
They also trust Fern and Avery and want them to enjoy the day.
The Fair only comes once a year.
Well, they've got to grow up some time,
Listen for
- Two separate things the grown-ups say or do.
- A reason, not only the word worried.
If stuck
- What warnings can you find in the scene?
- What does Mrs. Arable do after they leave?
- What does Mr. Arable say about growing up?
A strong answer The warnings show how much the grown-ups care: they list pickpockets, the race track and the swings, and Mrs. Arable sighs and blows her nose when they leave. But Mr. Arable says the Fair comes only once a year and they have got to grow up some time, so they also trust them. A strong answer gives two pieces of evidence and says which feeling is stronger.
- Charlotte says she feels "like the end of a long day." What does the chapter show about how she is? Give two reasons.
What it asks It asks what Charlotte's own words show about how she is, and whether she is telling Wilbur everything.
One reading
She is truly worn out.
The least thing tires me these days.
I don't seem to have the energy I once had.
Another reading
She makes light of it and does not say more.
My age, I guess.
Clinging upside down to the ceiling, she settled down for a nap
Listen for
- Two separate things Charlotte says or does, not one said twice.
- Says what she tells Wilbur and what she leaves unsaid.
If stuck
- What does Charlotte say tires her?
- What does she say it might be?
- What does she do after she says she is tired?
A strong answer Charlotte says the least thing tires her and she does not have the energy she once had, so she is truly worn out. But she also puts it down to her age and goes off for a nap without saying more. A strong answer gives two pieces of evidence and says what she tells Wilbur and what she keeps back.
- Dozens of strangers admire Wilbur, then move on to the bigger pig. What does that show about what people at the Fair look for? Give two reasons.
What it asks It asks what the people at the Fair seem to care about, and why that matters to Wilbur.
One reading
They look for size: the big pig gets the praise.
Wilbur heard several people make favorable remarks about Uncle's great size.
Then they would move on to the next pen where the bigger pig lay.
Another reading
They also like how Wilbur looks, because they stop first to admire him.
Dozens and dozens of strangers stopped to stare at him and to admire his silky white coat, his curly tail, his kind and radiant expression.
Wilbur stared back and tried to look extra good.
Listen for
- Two separate pieces of evidence, not one told twice.
- Says what Wilbur hears and what he worries about.
If stuck
- What do the people admire about Wilbur?
- Where do they go next?
- What does Wilbur hear them say about Uncle?
A strong answer People notice size: they move on to the bigger pig and make favorable remarks about Uncle's great size. But they also stop first to admire Wilbur's silky white coat, curly tail and kind expression, so looks matter to them too. A strong answer gives two pieces of evidence and says what Wilbur could take from it.