Charlotte's Web
Chapter 21 — 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 says she wove her webs for Wilbur because she liked him, and that perhaps helping him was a way to lift up her life. Was her friendship a gift, or did it also give her something?
The tension Wilbur says he has never done anything for her and would gladly give his life, while Charlotte says his friendship was a tremendous thing and that perhaps helping him lifted up her life a trifle.
Today's focus
Notice how Charlotte and Wilbur talk about friendship, and how the chapter ends.
Two core ideas
- Charlotte says why she helped Wilbur, and Wilbur says what he feels he owes her.
- At the end Wilbur does the one thing he can for Charlotte, and the chapter says plainly that no one was with her.
The shape at a glance
After the ceremony Wilbur asks Charlotte why she is so quiet. She tells him she is done for and will not be going back to the barn. Wilbur gets Templeton to cut down her egg sac by promising him first pick of the trough. Wilbur takes the sac in his mouth, and as he is shoved into the crate he winks goodbye. Charlotte dies the next day, alone.
A way in
Start with Wilbur's question, why are you so quiet? Ask what Charlotte says, and what Wilbur learns.
Lesson plan
Retell The student tells the chapter back in order: the quiet talk, Charlotte's news, Wilbur's panic, Templeton and the deal, the egg sac, the wink, and the end.
Imitate the author After copying the passage, the student writes two sentences in the same pattern: what someone said, then a short sentence that starts with That and says what it is.
Debate Take sides on the big question: was Charlotte's friendship a gift, or did it also give her something? Each side must use one line from the chapter.
Purpose Close by asking why a story might let the hero say thank you in a wink, with no words.
Easier Read Charlotte's talk with Wilbur aloud together and talk through discussion questions 1 and 2 only.
On level Talk through all five 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 say to Charlotte if he could use words with the egg sac in his mouth, using what he says in the chapter.
Discussion
- Charlotte tells Wilbur, "Come now, let's not make a scene." Why does she say that? What makes you think so?Character
What it asks It asks why Charlotte wants Wilbur to be calm at the moment she is telling him the saddest news.
One reading
She wants him quiet because time is short and the people are coming.
You can't stay here. Zuckerman and Lurvy and John Arable and the others will be back any minute now
Be quiet, Wilbur. Stop thrashing about!
Another reading
She is spending her last strength and wants no fuss.
I haven't even strength enough to climb down into the crate.
A little tired, perhaps. But I feel peaceful.
Listen for
- Uses what Charlotte says, not only a guess.
- Notices that she also gives Wilbur reasons.
If stuck
- What is Wilbur doing when she says it?
- What does she say will happen very soon?
- How does she say she feels?
A strong answer Charlotte may want calm because time is short: she says the people will be back any minute and Wilbur must go in the crate. She may also want to spend her last strength quietly, since she says she is peaceful and has hardly any strength left. A strong answer picks a reason and uses one thing she says.
- Wilbur says he would gladly give his life for Charlotte. Does he mean it? What makes you think so?Moral reasoning
What it asks It asks whether Wilbur's big promise is real, and how it matches what he does next.
One reading
He means it: he says he will stay and does all he can.
I won't leave you here alone to die. If you're going to stay here I shall stay, too.
Please, please, please, Templeton, climb up and get the egg sac.
Another reading
He means it, but he cannot do much; Charlotte tells him it would make no sense.
Don't be ridiculous,
Besides, it wouldn't make any sense for you to stay.
Listen for
- Uses what Wilbur says and does.
- Says what he can and cannot do for Charlotte.
If stuck
- What does Wilbur say he would do?
- What does Charlotte answer?
- What does Wilbur do instead to help?
A strong answer Wilbur seems to mean it: he says he will stay with Charlotte and cannot stand leaving her alone. But Charlotte says it would make no sense, and he does what he can instead, getting her egg sac. A strong answer takes a side and says what the other side would answer.
- Templeton complains that nobody cares anything about old Templeton. How does he sound, and what tells you?Tone
What it asks It asks the student to hear Templeton's voice when he lies back in the straw and complains, and decide what is under it.
One reading
Hurt: he feels nobody thanks him or says a kind word.
Never a kind word for old Templeton, only abuse and wisecracks and side remarks.
Never a kind word for a rat.
Another reading
Teasing and cunning: he enjoys making Wilbur wait.
Templeton lay back in the straw. Lazily he placed his forepaws behind his head and crossed his knees
Templeton grinned and lay still.
Listen for
- Reads one of Templeton's lines aloud in the voice the student hears.
- Allows that he may be hurt and teasing at once.
If stuck
- What does Templeton do while Wilbur begs?
- What does he say nobody gives him?
- Can someone complain and enjoy it?
A strong answer Templeton can sound hurt: he says it is never a kind word for old Templeton, and he lists what he has done. He also lies back lazily and grins while Wilbur begs. A strong answer reads one line aloud and says whether the voice sounds hurt, teasing, or both.
- Wilbur promises Templeton the first pick from the trough. Is that a fair price for the egg sac? Why or why not?Theme
What it asks It asks whether a promise of food is a fair way to ask a favor, when Templeton has done so many things for Wilbur.
One reading
Fair: it gives Templeton something he truly wants, and it is a promise Wilbur can keep.
I will let you have your choice of everything in the trough and I won't touch a thing until you're through.
All right, it's a deal,
Another reading
Not quite: Templeton has already done a great deal and got no kind word.
Who made trip after trip to the dump?
Who saved Charlotte's life by scaring that Arable boy away with a rotten goose egg?
Listen for
- Gives a reason, not only yes or no.
- Says what Templeton wants and what he has already done.
If stuck
- What does Templeton list that he has done?
- What does Wilbur promise?
- How does Templeton answer when he hears it?
A strong answer It is fair in that it gives Templeton what he cares about most, first pick from the trough, and he says it is a deal. But Templeton has already made trips to the dump, saved Charlotte with the egg, and bitten Wilbur's tail, so a promise of food does not thank him for all of it. A strong answer takes a side and says what the other side would answer.
- The chapter ends with "No one was with her when she died." Why might the author end it that way?Author's choice
What it asks It asks what the plain last sentence does to the reader, and why the author says it so simply.
One reading
It is sad and plain, so the reader feels how alone Charlotte was.
No one was with her when she died.
The Fair Grounds were soon deserted.
Another reading
It tells the reader what the crowd never knew: who did the most important thing.
Nobody, of the hundreds of people that had visited the Fair, knew that a grey spider had played the most important part of all.
Listen for
- Says what the reader feels at the last line.
- Notices how plain and short the sentence is.
If stuck
- What does the chapter say about the Fair Grounds after the crowd goes?
- Who knew what the spider had done?
- How would the chapter feel if it ended on Charlotte waving good-bye?
A strong answer The last sentence is short and plain, so the reader feels how alone Charlotte was after the crowds had gone. Just before it, the chapter says that of the hundreds who visited, nobody knew a grey spider had played the most important part of all. A strong answer says what the reader feels and why the author chose such a plain ending.
Critical thinking
- Wilbur remembers Charlotte's egg sac and decides to take it along. What does that show about him? Give two reasons from the chapter.
What it asks It asks what Wilbur's quick idea shows about how he has grown, and how he cares for Charlotte.
One reading
He is thinking of Charlotte's wishes, not just his own sorrow.
he thought of the egg sac and the five hundred and fourteen little spiders that would hatch in the spring
Use extreme care!
Another reading
He can act well even in a panic.
Wilbur was in a panic. He raced round and round the pen.
He knew he would have to act quickly.
Listen for
- Two separate things Wilbur thinks or does.
- A word for Wilbur, such as loyal or quick.
If stuck
- What does Wilbur think of when he is in a panic?
- What does he tell Templeton about the eggs?
- How does he carry the sac?
A strong answer Wilbur turns from his own grief to Charlotte's egg sac: he thinks of the five hundred and fourteen little spiders that would hatch in the spring, and he tells Templeton to use extreme care. He also acts well in a panic, since he thinks fast and plans how to carry the sac. A strong answer gives two pieces of evidence and a word for Wilbur.
- Wilbur winks at Charlotte as he is shoved into the crate. What does that show about their friendship? Give two reasons from the chapter.
What it asks It asks what a wink can say, and how Charlotte answers.
One reading
They understand each other without words.
She knew he was saying good-bye in the only way he could.
And of course he couldn't say anything.
Another reading
Both act on their feelings to the very end: Wilbur plans how to carry the sac, and Charlotte waves with her last strength.
Wilbur had already decided how he would carry the egg sac - there was only one way possible.
Then she summoned all her strength and waved one of her front legs at him.
Listen for
- Two separate pieces of evidence, not one said twice.
- Says what each of them does at the very end.
If stuck
- Why can Wilbur not speak?
- What does Charlotte know when she sees the wink?
- What does she do next?
A strong answer They understand each other without words: Wilbur cannot speak with the sac in his mouth, and Charlotte knows he is saying good-bye in the only way he can. Both also act to the very end: Wilbur has decided how he will carry the sac, and Charlotte summons all her strength to wave a front leg. A strong answer gives two pieces of evidence and says what each does at the very end.
- Wilbur says, "To think that when I first met you I thought you were cruel and bloodthirsty!" How does he see Charlotte now? Give two reasons from the chapter.
What it asks It asks what has changed in how Wilbur sees Charlotte, and what in this chapter shows it.
One reading
He sees her as a true friend who saved him.
Charlotte! My true friend!
you have saved me, Charlotte
Another reading
He is moved, and sees how much more gifted she is than he is.
A moment later a tear came to Wilbur's eye.
I'm no good at making speeches. I haven't got your gift for words.
Listen for
- Two separate things from the chapter.
- Says what Wilbur once thought and what he thinks now.
If stuck
- What did Wilbur first think Charlotte was?
- What does he call her when he hears she is dying?
- What does he say he does not have that she does?
A strong answer Wilbur once thought Charlotte was cruel and bloodthirsty, but now a tear comes to his eye when she speaks of his future, and he calls her his true friend. He also says she has saved him and that he has no gift for words like hers, so he sees her as a friend who is far more able than he is. A strong answer gives two pieces of evidence and says how Wilbur's view has changed.