Charlotte's Web
Chapter 9 — 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 tells Wilbur, "It was a nice try," and then, "You can't spin a web." Is she being kind to him, or honest with him?
The tension Wilbur's pride and hurt after two falls, against Charlotte's plain words that he lacks what a web needs and her gentle words that he need not feel badly.
Today's focus
Notice how Charlotte speaks to Wilbur after his fall, and again when he is afraid at twilight.
Two core ideas
- Wilbur tries something he cannot do, and Charlotte both tells him so and tells him he need not feel badly.
- Fear comes back on a peaceful evening, and Charlotte answers it with comfort, a plan she is still working on, and a request to sleep.
The shape at a glance
Wilbur sees Charlotte weaving and tries to spin a web himself, with a string from Templeton. He falls twice and Charlotte tells him he lacks spinnerets and know-how. At twilight he remembers what the old sheep said and asks if Charlotte meant her promise; she says she is working on a plan and tells him to sleep.
A way in
Start with Wilbur's jump from the manure pile. Ask what he hopes will happen, and what Charlotte says when it does not.
Lesson plan
Retell The student tells the chapter back in order: the hairy legs, the first jump, the string, the second jump, Charlotte's advice, the bridge, the lamb, the twilight, and the good nights.
Imitate the author After copying the passage, the student writes two sentences in the same pattern: a plain fact about something they cannot do yet, then a sentence that starts with But.
Debate Take sides on the big question: is Charlotte being kind to Wilbur or honest with him? Each side must use one line from the chapter.
Purpose Close by asking why a story might let a hero fail at something before it shows his friend answering.
Easier Read the two falls 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 Charlotte might have said if she wanted to be only kind, or only honest, and to compare it with her real words.
Discussion
- Wilbur says, "I could spin a web if I tried." Why do you think he says that?Character
What it asks It asks why Wilbur claims he could spin a web, and whether he wants to show off or really wants to try.
One reading
He wants to impress Charlotte; he is showing off.
said Wilbur, boasting
I guess I was just trying to show off.
Another reading
He is curious and eager to try something new.
You coach me and I'll spin one.
It must be a lot of fun to spin a web.
Listen for
- Uses Wilbur's own words, such as boasting or show off.
- Notices that Wilbur may be eager as well as proud.
If stuck
- What does the author say about how Wilbur speaks?
- What does Wilbur say about himself after he falls?
- Can a person show off and be curious at the same time?
A strong answer Wilbur says it boasting, and later he says he was just trying to show off, so part of him wants Charlotte to be impressed. But he also says it must be a lot of fun and asks how to start, so part of him is simply eager to try. A strong answer says which is stronger and uses his words.
- Charlotte laughs so hard her web sways when Wilbur lands with a thump. Was that kind? What makes you think so?Moral reasoning
What it asks It asks whether laughing at a friend's fall is unkind, and what Charlotte does after she laughs.
One reading
Kind enough: she laughs, then tells him it was a nice try.
Charlotte laughed so hard her web began to sway.
It was a nice try.
Another reading
Not kind: Wilbur has just fallen and wants to know what went wrong.
What did I do wrong?" asked the pig, when he recovered from his bump.
Listen for
- Weighs laughing at Wilbur against laughing with him.
- Uses what Charlotte says after she laughs.
If stuck
- What happens to Wilbur when he jumps?
- What does Charlotte say after she laughs?
- Is it different to laugh at someone and to laugh with them?
A strong answer Charlotte laughs so hard her web sways, which could sting a pig who has just landed with a bump. But she answers his question gently and says it was a nice try, and Wilbur is cheerful enough to try again. A strong answer takes a side and says what the other side would point to.
- Charlotte says that with men it is "rush, rush, rush, every minute." How does she sound when she talks about people? What tells you?Tone
What it asks It asks the student to hear Charlotte's voice when she talks about people, and decide whether she is teasing or scornful.
One reading
Playful: she teases about people trotting back and forth across a bridge.
They just keep trotting back and forth across the bridge thinking there is something better on the other side.
although they think they're pretty good, and they'll try anything
Another reading
A little scornful: she thinks her own way is better.
But no - with men it's rush, rush, rush, every minute.
I know a good thing when I see it, and my web is a good thing.
Listen for
- Reads a line aloud in the voice the student hears.
- Uses something Charlotte says about men or about herself.
If stuck
- Read Charlotte's lines about the bridge aloud. Do they sound cross or playful?
- What does she say people do on the bridge?
- What does she say about her own way of living?
A strong answer She can sound playful: she says men think they are pretty good at it and will try anything, and she pictures them trotting back and forth across a bridge. But she also says her own web is a good thing and she is glad to sit still, which can sound a little scornful. A strong answer reads one line aloud and says which of the two it sounds like.
- Charlotte tells Wilbur, "cheer up, you don't need a web." Why does she say that? What makes you think so?Inference
What it asks It asks why Charlotte follows a hard fact with these words, and what she wants Wilbur to feel.
One reading
To comfort him: she gives him a reason not to mind.
But cheer up, you don't need a web.
You needn't feel too badly, Wilbur,
Another reading
To remind him of a plain fact: he is fed whether or not he can trap anything.
Zuckerman supplies you with three big meals a day. Why should you worry about trapping food?
Listen for
- Says what Charlotte wants Wilbur to feel.
- Uses what she says about the three meals.
If stuck
- What has Charlotte just told Wilbur he lacks?
- What does she say Zuckerman does for him?
- How does Wilbur answer her?
A strong answer She has just told him he lacks spinnerets and know-how, so cheer up is her way of easing the blow. She also gives him a reason: Zuckerman supplies three big meals a day, so he never has to trap food. A strong answer says what Charlotte wants Wilbur to feel and uses one thing she says.
- The chapter ends with Wilbur and Charlotte saying "Good night" again and again. Why might the author end it that way?Author's choice
What it asks It asks what the repeated good nights make the reader feel, and why the author ends the chapter this way after Wilbur's fear.
One reading
It shows how safe Wilbur feels with Charlotte, even after a frightening thought.
The thought of death came to him and he began to tremble with fear.
said Charlotte in a comforting voice
Another reading
It shows Wilbur does not want to let the day go, so he keeps talking.
There was a pause.
No more talking! Close your eyes and go to sleep!
Listen for
- Says what the repeated good nights make the reader feel.
- Compares the ending with Wilbur's fear earlier in the chapter.
If stuck
- What did Wilbur say to Charlotte before the good nights?
- How many times do they say good night?
- How is this different from when Wilbur was trembling?
A strong answer The repeated good nights show a friendship that is easy and a little silly, and they end the chapter peacefully after Wilbur trembled with fear. The pause and the last two good nights also show that Wilbur does not want to stop. A strong answer says what the reader feels and why.
Critical thinking
- Templeton lends Wilbur his string, then grins when Wilbur falls. What does that show about Templeton? Give two reasons.
What it asks It asks what Templeton's help and his grin show about him, from two moments in one scene.
One reading
He is helpful when it costs him little: he lends the string and takes it back.
No trouble at all. Anything to oblige.
Templeton untied his string and took it back to his home.
Another reading
He enjoys Wilbur's failure.
Tears came to his eyes. Templeton grinned.
Listen for
- Two separate things Templeton does.
- Says what each one shows about him.
If stuck
- What does Templeton say when Wilbur asks for string?
- What does Templeton do when Wilbur falls?
- Can someone be helpful and unkind in one scene?
A strong answer Templeton helps: he fetches the string and says anything to oblige, and afterward he unties it and takes it home. But when Wilbur lands crushed and hurt with tears in his eyes, Templeton grins. A strong answer gives two pieces of evidence and says what kind of helper Templeton seems to be.
- At bedtime Wilbur keeps asking for a little more, and Charlotte keeps answering. What does that show about how she cares for him? Give two reasons.
What it asks It asks what Charlotte's answers at bedtime show about how she looks after Wilbur.
One reading
She is patient: she answers him every time.
Very well," said Charlotte. "But I want you in bed again without delay.
Slowly, slowly!
Another reading
She is firm: she says no when it is time to sleep.
No, the trough is dry, and I want you to go to sleep. No more talking!
Listen for
- Two separate answers Charlotte gives.
- Says what Wilbur might want underneath the asking.
If stuck
- What does Wilbur ask for first, and what does Charlotte answer?
- What does Wilbur ask for second?
- Why might Wilbur keep asking when he is sleepy?
A strong answer Charlotte says very well to the bit of potato, but slowly, and no to the milk because the trough is dry. She is patient enough to answer every time and firm enough to say it is time to sleep. Wilbur may keep asking because he is afraid, since earlier he trembled at the thought of death. A strong answer gives two pieces of evidence.
- Charlotte speaks sharply to the lamb for teasing Wilbur. What does that show about her? Give two reasons.
What it asks It asks what Charlotte's sharp words show about how she treats Wilbur, and how she treats the lamb.
One reading
She is loyal: she notices his embarrassment and takes his side.
Charlotte noticed his embarrassment and she spoke sharply to the lamb.
Let Wilbur alone!
Another reading
She can be sharp herself: she hits back with an insult.
You're no bundle of sweet peas yourself.
you are interrupting a very pleasant conversation
Listen for
- Two separate things Charlotte says or does.
- A word for how she treats Wilbur, such as loyal or protective.
If stuck
- What does the lamb say to Wilbur?
- What does Charlotte notice?
- What does she say back to the lamb?
A strong answer Charlotte sees that Wilbur is embarrassed and tells the lamb to let him alone, so she takes his side. She is also sharp: she says the lamb is no bundle of sweet peas and that it is interrupting a pleasant conversation. A strong answer gives two pieces of evidence and says what Charlotte is protecting.