Charlotte's Web
Chapter 18 — 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 he has nothing to fear, yet she is too tired to sing and is not on her web. Is she comforting him, or promising more than she can know?
The tension Wilbur asks twice whether he will live, and Charlotte answers with a sure "Of course," while her own voice comes from a back corner and she says she is too tired.
Today's focus
Notice what Charlotte says to Wilbur at bedtime, and how her voice is different from usual.
Two core ideas
- Charlotte keeps working and caring for Wilbur even though she is tired, and she says her last word will be for him.
- Wilbur asks for comfort, and Charlotte gives it in a sure voice; the chapter lets the reader notice what else she says and does.
The shape at a glance
In the evening Templeton goes exploring and brings back a newspaper word, HUMBLE. Charlotte weaves it into her web, and Fern rides the Ferris wheel with Henry Fussy. At bedtime Charlotte is too tired to sing and speaks from a back corner. She tells Wilbur he has nothing to fear and says she is making something for herself.
A way in
Start with Templeton leaving the crate. Ask where he goes, what he finds, and what he brings back.
Lesson plan
Retell The student tells the chapter back in order: Templeton exploring, the word HUMBLE, the evening at the Fair, Wilbur's questions, and Fern's goodnight.
Imitate the author After copying the passage, the student writes two sentences in the same pattern: one that says a word has two meanings, and one that gives them.
Debate Take sides on the big question: is Charlotte comforting Wilbur, or promising more than she can know? Each side must use one line from the chapter.
Purpose Close by asking why a story might let a friend give comfort in a quiet voice from a back corner.
Easier Read Wilbur's bedtime talk aloud together and talk through discussion questions 4 and 5 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 Wilbur might answer to Charlotte's "Of course" if he had noticed she was not on her web, using his own words from the chapter.
Discussion
- Templeton calls out, "Bye, bye, my humble Wilbur! Fare thee well, Charlotte, you old schemer!" Is he being mean, or friendly in his own way? What tells you?Tone
What it asks It asks the student to hear Templeton's goodbye and decide whether the names are an insult or a rough kind of joke.
One reading
Mean: he sneers about fetching and carrying, and calls them names as he leaves.
I'm not going to spend all my time fetching and carrying.
sneered the rat
Another reading
Friendly in his way: he grins, wishes them well, and has done what she asked.
The rat grinned.
Fare thee well, Charlotte, you old schemer!
Listen for
- Reads a line aloud in the voice the student hears.
- Allows that he may be rough and friendly at once.
If stuck
- What does Templeton do before he says goodbye?
- What does the author say about how he speaks and how he looks?
- Can a name be an insult and a joke at once?
A strong answer Templeton can sound mean: he sneers that he will not spend all his time fetching and carrying. But he also grins, wishes Charlotte well, and has just brought the word she asked for. A strong answer reads one line aloud and says whether the voice sounds mean, friendly, or both.
- Templeton says, "The old sheep was right - this Fair is a rat's paradise." What does he like best about it? What makes you think so?Theme
What it asks It asks what a rat wants most, from the way Templeton talks about the Fair.
One reading
Food: he is hungry and thirsty and finds a feast.
The rat was hungry and thirsty.
What eating! And what drinking!
Another reading
Freedom: nobody is telling him what to do, and he can hide and hunt.
And everywhere good hiding and good hunting.
I came to this Fair to enjoy myself, not to deliver papers.
Listen for
- Uses Templeton's own words.
- Compares what he wants with what Charlotte wants.
If stuck
- What does Templeton say about eating and drinking?
- What does he say about hiding?
- What does he say he came to the Fair to do?
A strong answer Templeton loves the food: he is hungry and thirsty and says what eating and what drinking. But he also loves doing as he pleases, with good hiding and good hunting everywhere, and he says he came to enjoy himself, not to deliver papers. A strong answer picks what he likes best and uses his words.
- Charlotte tells Templeton, "You've been very helpful." Is she being truthful, or only polite? What makes you think so?Character
What it asks It asks whether Charlotte means her thanks, when Templeton has complained and gone off to enjoy himself.
One reading
Truthful: he did bring her the word she needed.
Then he tore a word out of the paper, rolled it up, and started back to Wilbur's pen.
It says 'Humble,'
Another reading
Only polite: he grumbles and she wants him to go on his way.
I came to this Fair to enjoy myself, not to deliver papers.
Run along, if you want to see more of the Fair.
Listen for
- Uses what Templeton does and what he says.
- Allows that she may be truthful and polite at once.
If stuck
- What did Templeton bring Charlotte?
- What does he say about it?
- What does Charlotte say to him next?
A strong answer She can mean it: Templeton did tear a word from the paper and carry it back. She can also be polite, since he complains and she tells him to run along. A strong answer picks one reading and says what Charlotte gets from saying it.
- Wilbur asks, "Do you really think so?" about whether Zuckerman will let him live. Why might he ask for a second answer?Inference
What it asks It asks why Wilbur needs to hear it twice, and what he is listening for in Charlotte's voice.
One reading
He is afraid, and wants to be sure.
do you really think Zuckerman will let me live and not kill me when the cold weather comes?
Do you really think so?
Another reading
He has noticed something is not quite right with Charlotte.
Where are you?
You almost never leave your web.
Listen for
- Uses what Wilbur says to Charlotte.
- Says what he may be hoping to hear.
If stuck
- What does Wilbur ask Charlotte just before this?
- What has Wilbur just noticed about her?
- Why do people sometimes ask a question twice?
A strong answer Wilbur is afraid of what the cold weather will bring, so he asks for a sure answer. He may also have noticed that Charlotte's voice does not seem to come from her web. A strong answer picks a reason and uses one thing Wilbur says.
- Charlotte says she is making something "for me, for a change." Has she earned that? What makes you think so?Moral reasoning
What it asks It asks whether Charlotte has a right to do something for herself, after all she has done for Wilbur.
One reading
Yes: she has spent her nights weaving words for him.
Charlotte went back to her work.
Making something, as usual.
Another reading
She does not need to earn it, because anyone may make something for themselves.
No," said Charlotte. "It's something for me, for a change.
Listen for
- Gives a reason, not only yes or no.
- Says what Charlotte has done for Wilbur.
If stuck
- What does Charlotte say she makes as usual?
- What does she say this thing is different from?
- Does a friend have to earn the right to do something for herself?
A strong answer One answer is yes: Charlotte keeps making things for Wilbur, so something for herself is fair. The other is that nobody needs to earn it. A strong answer takes a side and says what the other side would answer.
- Fern says she had the best time of her whole life, and Mrs. Arable answers, "Isn't that nice!" Why might the author end the chapter there?Author's choice
What it asks It asks why the author leaves Charlotte's quiet corner for a happy goodnight at the Arables' house.
One reading
It gives a bright, happy ending to a day, set against Charlotte's tired night.
I had the best time I have ever had anywhere or any time in all of my whole life.
Miles away, at the Arables' house
Another reading
It shows the people do not know what is happening in the pigpen.
Nobody noticed it in the darkness.
Everyone was tired and happy.
Listen for
- Says what the reader feels after the quiet scene with Charlotte.
- Compares Fern's night with Wilbur's.
If stuck
- Where is Charlotte when the chapter turns to the Arables?
- What does Fern say about her day?
- How is her night different from Wilbur's?
A strong answer Ending at the Arables' house gives the chapter a bright, happy close after Charlotte's tired night. It also shows that Fern and her mother do not know what is happening in the pigpen, since nobody noticed the web in the darkness. A strong answer says what the reader feels and why the author may have wanted that.
Critical thinking
- Templeton explores the Fair before he goes back with the word. What does that show about how he helps? Give two reasons from the chapter.
What it asks It asks what Templeton's order of doing things shows about how he helps Charlotte.
One reading
He puts himself first: he eats everything before he thinks of the word.
The rat crawled in and ate everything.
Without saying anything to anybody, he started off.
Another reading
He still does what she asks.
Then he tore a word out of the paper, rolled it up, and started back to Wilbur's pen.
Here," said Templeton, unrolling the paper.
Listen for
- Two separate things Templeton does.
- Says what each one shows about him.
If stuck
- What does Templeton do first when he finds the newspaper?
- What does he do next?
- Did he bring the word Charlotte asked for?
A strong answer Templeton eats first, finding a deviled ham sandwich and a piece of Swiss cheese, so he looks after himself. But he also tears out a word and brings it back to Charlotte. A strong answer gives two pieces of evidence and says what kind of helper he seems to be.
- The chapter says Wilbur would have felt lonely and homesick if Charlotte had not been with him. What does that show about their friendship? Give two reasons.
What it asks It asks what the chapter shows about how much Wilbur depends on Charlotte, and what she does for him.
One reading
Wilbur depends on her to feel safe.
He never felt lonely when she was near.
Sing me that song again, about the dung and the dark,
Another reading
She also looks after him: she keeps him calm until he sleeps.
And now, go to sleep.
She could tell by the sound of his breathing that he was sleeping peacefully
Listen for
- Two separate pieces of evidence, not one said twice.
- Says what each of them does for the other.
If stuck
- What does Wilbur ask Charlotte to do?
- What does Charlotte tell him when he is worried?
- How does Wilbur sleep at the end?
A strong answer Wilbur depends on Charlotte: the chapter says he never felt lonely when she was near, and he asks her to sing. She looks after him in turn, telling him to go to sleep, and he sleeps peacefully. A strong answer gives two pieces of evidence and says what each does for the other.
- Fern goes on the Ferris wheel with Henry Fussy, and Mrs. Arable just shakes her head. What does that show about Mrs. Arable? Give two reasons.
What it asks It asks what Mrs. Arable's headshake and her words show about how she feels when she sees Fern with a boy.
One reading
She is pleased: Fern looks happy.
saw how happy Fern looked
Isn't that nice!
Another reading
She is a little amused and surprised.
she just shook her head
My, my!
Listen for
- Two separate things Mrs. Arable says or does.
- A word for how she feels.
If stuck
- What does Mrs. Arable see when she looks up?
- What does she do?
- What does she say to Fern at bedtime?
A strong answer Mrs. Arable sees how happy Fern looks and says isn't that nice at bedtime, so she is pleased. She also shakes her head and says my, my, so she is amused and surprised. A strong answer gives two pieces of evidence and a word for how she feels.