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Charlotte's Web
Scouts · 1st–3rd
Charlotte tells Wilbur, "You shall not die," yet when he asks how, she says, "That remains to be seen." Is that a brave promise, or too big a one to make?
The tension Wilbur's terror and the old sheep's plain facts, against Charlotte's firm promise that she does not yet know how to keep.
Notice how Wilbur learns his fate and how Charlotte answers it.
Wilbur likes Charlotte more each day and grows fat. The old sheep tells him he is being fattened to be killed at Christmastime, and Wilbur screams in fear. Charlotte says she will save him, though she cannot yet say how.
Start with Wilbur's good days of eating and dreaming. Ask what he knows and what the old sheep knows.
Retell The student tells the chapter back in order: the growing friendship, the old sheep's news, Wilbur's cries, and Charlotte's promise.
Imitate the author After copying the passage, the student writes two sentences of their own: a short one, then a longer one that starts with But.
Debate Take sides on the big question: is Charlotte's promise brave, or too big to make? Each side must use one line from the chapter.
Purpose Close by asking why a story might let a hero promise something before knowing how to do it.
Easier Read the scene with the old sheep aloud together and talk through discussion questions 2 and 3 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 the old sheep might answer to Charlotte's promise, using her own words from the chapter.
1. Charlotte gives each fly an anaesthetic, "a little service I throw in." What does that tell you about her?Character
What it asks It asks what a small kindness to a fly shows about Charlotte, and whether it is kindness at all.
She is thoughtful: she does not want her victims to feel pain.
I always give them an anaesthetic so they won't feel pain.
It's real thoughtful of you to do that, Charlotte,
She is practical: it is a sweet-sounding way to say she keeps her meal quiet and still.
It's a little service I throw in.
she replied in her sweet, musical voice
A strong answer Charlotte does seem thoughtful: she says she gives each fly an anaesthetic so it will not feel pain, and Wilbur calls it real thoughtful. But she also calls it a little service she throws in, which sounds light and practical. A strong answer says which word fits her better, thoughtful or practical, and gives a reason.
2. 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
What it asks It asks whether bad news should be told, and what the sheep owes Wilbur against what the telling costs him.
Yes: Wilbur has a right to know what is planned for him.
You know why they're fattening you up, don't you?
No," said Wilbur.
Not that way: she tells it bluntly and he is left screaming with fear.
Kill you. Turn you into smoked bacon and ham
"Stop!" screamed Wilbur. "I don't want to die!
A strong answer One answer is yes: Wilbur did not know why he was being fattened up, and the sheep tells him the truth. The other is that the way she tells it is rough, so Wilbur is left screaming that he does not want to die. A strong answer takes a side and says what the other side would answer.
3. 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
What it asks It asks what matters most to Wilbur in his list: his life, his comfort, his friends, or the beautiful air and sun.
His life, because everything else depends on it.
I don't want to be killed. I don't want to die.
I want to stay alive
His friends and the world around him, which make staying alive worth it.
with all my friends
I want to breathe the beautiful air and lie in the beautiful sun.
A strong answer He says first that he wants to stay alive, so life comes first. But he goes on to name his comfortable manure pile, his friends, the beautiful air and the beautiful sun, which are the things that make a life worth keeping. A strong answer picks one and says why, using his words.
4. 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
What it asks It asks how the sheep's sharp joke sounds, and whether she has any feeling for Wilbur.
She is cruel: Wilbur is terrified and she mocks him.
You're certainly making a beautiful noise,
"I don't want to die!" screamed Wilbur, throwing himself to the ground.
She is only tired and blunt: she has seen the same business year after year.
I'm an old sheep and I see the same thing, same old business, year after year.
A strong answer It can sound cruel: Wilbur is racing about and throwing himself on the ground in fear, and she snaps at him with a joke. But she has said she has seen the same business year after year, so she may be worn out and plain-spoken. A strong answer reads the line aloud and says which of the two it sounds like.
5. 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
What it asks It asks what the reader gets from knowing Fern is listening, and why she is in the barn for the news.
It shows Fern would help Wilbur: she is ready to jump up.
Fern grew rigid on her stool.
Fern was just about to jump up when a voice was heard.
It makes the news worse, because Fern's own father is named in the plot.
Everybody is in the plot - Lurvy, Zuckerman, even John Arable.
Mr. Arable?" sobbed Wilbur. "Fern's father?
A strong answer With Fern there, the reader sees someone who cares for Wilbur hearing the news too, and she is about to jump up when Charlotte speaks. It also makes the news sharper, since the sheep names Fern's own father. A strong answer says what the reader feels and why the author put Fern in the barn.
1. Wilbur liked Charlotte "better and better each day." Why? Give two reasons from the chapter.
What it asks It asks what it is about Charlotte, and what she does, that makes Wilbur like her more.
Because her work against flies seems useful to everyone on the farm.
Her campaign against insects seemed sensible and useful.
Hardly anybody around the farm had a good word to say for a fly.
Because she is gentle in how she does it, and he admires that.
He was particularly glad that she always put her victim to sleep before eating it.
Wilbur admired the way Charlotte managed.
A strong answer One reason is that the whole farm dislikes flies, so Charlotte's campaign seems sensible and useful. Another is that she is careful with her victims, which Wilbur is particularly glad of. A strong answer gives two pieces of evidence and says which one matters more to Wilbur.
2. Wilbur asks, "Is it true what the old sheep says, Charlotte?" Charlotte believes the sheep. Why? Give two reasons from the chapter.
What it asks It asks why Charlotte trusts what the old sheep has said, and what in the chapter supports her.
Because the sheep has lived in the barn for a long time and has seen it before.
the old sheep has been around this barn a long time. She has seen many a spring pig come and go.
I'm an old sheep and I see the same thing, same old business, year after year.
Because the news fits what Wilbur has seen: he has been fed three big meals a day and has grown fat.
He ate three big meals a day.
they're fattening you up because they're going to kill you
A strong answer Charlotte says the old sheep has been around the barn a long time and has seen many a spring pig come and go, so she knows how it goes. The chapter also shows Wilbur eating three big meals a day and gaining weight, which fits what the sheep says. A strong answer gives two pieces of evidence and says what makes the sheep believable.
3. Charlotte tells Wilbur to quiet down and stop crying. What does that show about how she treats him? Give two reasons from the chapter.
What it asks It asks whether Charlotte's firm words show that she is stern with Wilbur, or that she is taking charge in order to help him.
She is firm and a little stern: she orders him to be quiet and says she cannot stand his crying.
Be quiet, Wilbur!
Stop your crying! I can't stand hysterics.
She is taking charge to help him: she promises to save him and tells him so right away.
You shall not die,
But I am going to save you
A strong answer Charlotte is firm: she tells Wilbur to be quiet and says she cannot stand hysterics. But she also promises, twice, that she will save him, so her firmness comes with help. A strong answer gives two pieces of evidence and says whether she is stern, caring, or both.