"That remains to be seen.Is still waiting to happen.
Charlotte's Web
Chapter 7
E. B. White · Scouts 1st–3rd
Copywork
"That remains to be seen. But I am going to save you, and I want you to quiet down immediately.
Read the passage aloud. What can you tell about Charlotte from the two short sentences?
Discussion
Narration Tell what happened from Wilbur growing fat to Charlotte's last words, in order. Slow down when the old sheep tells him the news.
- Charlotte gives each fly an anaesthetic, "a little service I throw in." What does that tell you about her? Character
- The old sheep says, "I don't like to spread bad news," and then tells Wilbur. Was it right to tell him? Why or why not? Moral reasoning
- Wilbur cries, "I want to stay alive, right here in my comfortable manure pile with all my friends." What does he want most to keep? Theme
- The old sheep snaps, "You're certainly making a beautiful noise." Is she being cruel, or only tired of the noise? What tells you? Tone
- Fern is on her stool in the barn when the sheep tells Wilbur, and she grows rigid. Why might the author have her there? Author's choice
Make a Connection Tell about a time you heard news that frightened you, and who helped.
Vocabulary
- remains
- immediately
and I want you to quiet down immediately.
Right now, with no delay.- sensible
Her campaign against insects seemed sensible and useful.
Wise and practical.- loathed
The sheep loathed them.
Hated very much.- anaesthetic
I always give them an anaesthetic so they won't feel pain.
Medicine that stops pain.- conspiracy
There's a regular conspiracy around here
A secret plan made by a group.- rigid
Fern grew rigid on her stool.
Stiff and still.- briskly
said Charlotte, briskly.
In a quick, firm way.- hysterics
I can't stand hysterics.
Wild, out-of-control crying.
Critical thinking
- Wilbur liked Charlotte "better and better each day." Why? Give two reasons from the chapter.
- Wilbur asks, "Is it true what the old sheep says, Charlotte?" Charlotte believes the sheep. Why? Give two reasons from the chapter.
- Charlotte tells Wilbur to quiet down and stop crying. What does that show about how she treats him? Give two reasons from the chapter.