Chapter 19

Charlotte's Web

Scouts · 1st–3rd

Copywork

Everyone admired the web. And of course nobody noticed Charlotte.

Read the passage aloud. What do the words "of course" sound like to you?

Discussion

Narration Tell what happened from Wilbur waking to the drive to the judges' booth, in order. Slow down at the news about the blue tag.

1. Charlotte tells Wilbur, "Oh, don't pay any attention to me." Why do you think she says that? What makes you think so?Character

2. Templeton tells Wilbur, "I guess you're licked." Was it right to tell him the bad news that way? Why or why not?Moral reasoning

3. After Templeton's news, Wilbur decides to change the subject and tells him about the egg sac. Why might Wilbur pick that? What makes you think so?Inference

4. After everyone stares at the blue tag, Mr. Zuckerman says "Bath time!" cheerfully. How does he sound to you? What tells you?Tone

5. A bystander says Wilbur "isn't as big as that pig next door" but "he's cleaner." Why might people like clean more than big?Theme

6. Templeton comes back "swollen to twice his normal size." Why might the author write his return that way?Author's choice

Make a Connection Tell about a time someone did something for you that you did not thank them for until later.

Vocabulary

Crossword

1					2
			3
4				5

		6	7

	8
9

Across

Across 1. Looked at with joy and respect.
Across 4. Happy with what you have.
Across 5. Swollen, with too much in your stomach.
Across 7. Felt great joy.
Across 9. Slowly growing weak.

Down

Down 2. Thankful.
Down 3. Very tired.
Down 6. Saw or paid attention to.
Down 8. Merry, noisy partying.

The words in the chapter

admired Everyone admired the web.
noticed And of course nobody noticed Charlotte.
contented she felt peaceful and contented.
weary she felt weary and old
languishing I think I'm languishing, to tell you the truth.

rejoiced Everyone rejoiced to find that the miracle of the web had been repeated.
grateful He looked very humble and very grateful.
bloated too stuffed and bloated to know what you're saying
carousing What feasting and carousing!

Critical thinking

1. Charlotte calls her egg sac "the finest thing I have ever made." What does that show about how she feels about it? Give two reasons.

2. Fern asks for money again and again and is told to wait. What does that show about the grown-ups that morning? Give two reasons.

3. Templeton sees the men put Wilbur in the crate and decides to go along. What does that show about him? Give two reasons.