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:

  • (Optional) Family Education Series – Be Kind to Animals:

Theocratic Connections:

*NOTE: Cover this theocratic connection after considering the discussion questions for this part of the chapter.*

Since this part of the chapter explores how Avery treats animals discuss Proverbs 12:10.

Activity 1 – Reading Chapter 10 – Part 2: Pages 72-76 (15 minutes):

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

Activity 2 – Discussion (10 minutes):

Ask students the following questions:

  • “Earlier in the chapter, Fern reacts to Avery’s captured frog by saying ‘He’s hot… He’s almost dead, that frog.’ In this part of the chapter, Fern tells Avery to leave Charlotte alone because he already has a frog and that should be enough. What might Fern be thinking about Avery when she says this?”
  • “Why do you think Avery wants to catch Charlotte?”
  • “What do you think motivates Avery to be so interested in catching animals and bugs? How does this reflect his personality?”
  • “If you were in Fern’s position, how would you convince Avery to leave Charlotte alone? What would you say or do?”
  • “The narrator says that Wilbur was worried because ‘This might be the end of Charlotte if the boy succeeded in catching her.’ What does that mean?”
  • “What might happen to the barnyard if Avery catches Charlotte? How would it affect the other animals?”
  • “How do you think Charlotte feels when Avery tries to catch her? How does this add to the tension in the story?”
  • “Why did Wilbur leave a whole noodle for Templeton?”
  • “What do you think will happen in the next chapter?”

Activity 3 – Character Chart: Avery (5 minutes):

Have students fill out the Character Analysis chart with information about the character Avery.

(Optional) Bonus Activity: If students are creating a “Charlotte’s Words” dictionary, remind them to add “tremendous” (which Avery mispronounces on page 72) and any other new words from this chapter.

Assessment:

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