Student Objectives:

  • Take turns reading pages or paragraphs in the book to practice their reading skills.
  • Identify who the main characters and settings of the story are.
  • Understand the moral lessons presented in the book.
  • Be able to summarize the story in their own words.

Video Links:

  • Ask an Expert: What do pigs eat?

Theocratic Connections:

Since this chapter explores Wilbur’s feelings of loneliness encourage students to consider the following article on how to deal with loneliness after class:

Activity 1 – Reading Chapter 4: Loneliness (15 minutes):

Open the story in the Bookclub bookcase and have students take turns reading. Assign character roles if appropriate.

Activity 2 – Discussion (10 minutes):

Ask students the following questions:

  • “Which characters were we introduced to in this chapter?”
  • “Why does Wilbur feel lonely in this chapter?”
  • “If you could talk to animals, what advice would you give to Wilbur about feeling lonely?”
  • “How do the other animals in the barn respond to Wilbur’s attempts to make friends?”
  • “How would you describe the personality of the goose?”
  • “How would you describe the personality of the lamb?”
  • “How would you describe the personality of Templeton the rat?”
  • “If you had to tell someone what chapter 4 was about, what would you say?”
  • “What do you think will happen in the next chapter?”

Activity 3 – Watch and Discuss: Ask an Expert: What do pigs eat Video (5 minutes):

Charlotte’s Web was written in the 1950s. Farming and animal husbandry have changed a lot over the years. Watch the video and engage students in a discussion contrasting the differences between the food Wilbur is given and the pig feed now given to modern-day pigs.

(Optional) Bonus Activity: At the beginning of chapter 4, Wilbur plans out a schedule for the day. His activities include napping, eating, scratching, and standing still. Prompt students to think about what activities they would choose if they could plan a perfect day. Have them create timelines or schedules of their ideal days, planning out activities starting with when they wake up and ending with when they go to sleep.

Assessment:

Assess student understanding of the story’s moral through participation in discussions, completion of reflection questions, and identification of key concepts presented.