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:

  • Raft Spider:

Theocratic Connections:

N/A

Activity 1 – Reading Chapter 13: Good Progress Part 2 Pages 99-104 (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:

  • “At first Wilbur is embarrassed that Charlotte is going to write ‘TERRIFIC’ in her web, but by the end of this chapter he says ‘Actually, I feel radiant.’ Why do you think Wilbur’s feelings about himself change?”
  • “What specific actions does Charlotte take to ensure Wilbur’s success? How do these actions demonstrate her dedication to him?”
  • “How is the theme of teamwork demonstrated in this part of the chapter? Which characters work together, and how do they contribute to the overall effort?”
  • “Why did Charlotte tell Wilbur a story even though she was tired?”
  • “Based on the events in this part of the chapter, what do you think will happen next?”

Activity 3 – Watch and Discuss: Raft Spider Video (5 minutes):

Ask students the following question:

  • “How does the raft spider walk on water?”

(Answer: The raft spider can walk on water because of something called surface tension. This means the surface of the water is like a stretchy skin. Imagine the skin of a pudding. It’s the layer on top of the pudding that won’t break unless you apply enough force to break through it. The spider is very light and has special legs that spread out its weight evenly, so it doesn’t break the surface. It’s kind of like how you can gently place a leaf on water, and it floats without sinking.)

(Optional) Bonus Activity: If students are creating a “Charlotte’s Words” dictionary, remind them to add “radiant” 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.