Chapter 22

Charlotte's Web

Scouts · 1st–3rd

Copywork

It is not often that someone comes along who is a true friend and a good writer. Charlotte was both.

Read the passage aloud. Why might the author make the last sentence so short and plain?

Discussion

Narration Tell what happened from Wilbur's homecoming to the end, in order. Slow down when the baby spiders sail away.

1. Wilbur cries himself to sleep when the baby spiders sail away on their balloons. Why does it hurt him so much? What makes you think so?Inference

2. Wilbur keeps his promise and lets Templeton eat first, and Templeton grows gigantic. Was it right to keep the promise? Why or why not?Moral reasoning

3. Fern says the most fun there is is the Ferris wheel with Henry, and later she stops coming to the barn. Is that sad, or just growing up?Theme

4. The last lines say Charlotte "was in a class by herself." How does the narrator sound when speaking of her? What tells you?Tone

5. The author lets most of the spiders sail away but three stay. Why might the author choose both going and staying?Author's choice

Make a Connection Tell about a time a new friend came along after someone you missed had gone away.

Vocabulary

Crossword

1

2			3

	4


				5
		6

		7

	8

Across

Across 1. Someone you like and trust.
Across 2. People who travel in balloons.
Across 4. In a dull, sad way.
Across 6. A person who puts words on paper.
Across 8. To promise something solemnly.

Down

Down 1. Wildly upset and in a hurry.
Down 3. Calm and peaceful.
Down 5. Loving and loyal.
Down 7. Holy and respected.

The words in the chapter

friend who is a true friend and a good writer.
writer who is a true friend and a good writer.
frantic Wilbur was frantic.
aeronauts We are aeronauts
drearily he walked drearily to the doorway

hallowed a hallowed doorway
devoted I was devoted to your mother.
pledge I pledge my friendship
tranquil tranquil days followed.

Critical thinking

1. Joy, Aranea and Nellie each get a name in a different way. What does that show about them? Give two reasons from the chapter.

2. All winter Wilbur watches over Charlotte's egg sac. What does that show about him? Give two reasons from the chapter.

3. In his speech to the three spiders Wilbur speaks of Charlotte. What does that show about how he sees her? Give two reasons.