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.

Theocratic Connections:

Since this chapter explores the power of true friendship, play the True Friends music video after discussing the “True Friend Assignment” at the end of class.

Activity 1 – Reading Chapter 21 (15 minutes):

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

Activity 2 – Discussion (20 minutes):

Ask students the following questions:

  • “Charlotte feels certain that Zuckerman will never harm Wilbur. Why?”
  • “Wilbur recalls how he first felt about Charlotte. How have his feelings about Charlotte changed?”
  • “When Wilbur asks Charlotte why she did all this for him, what did she say?”
  • “How does Wilbur react when he learns about Charlotte’s condition? What does this reveal about his character?”
  • “How does Charlotte’s final conversation with Wilbur highlight the themes of friendship and sacrifice?”
  • “Wilbur gave Templeton three reasons to help him wen Charlotte’s egg sac, what were they? Which reason convinced Templeton and why?” [Answer: 1) Charlotte’s very ill, 2) If you don’t I’ll die of a broken heart 3) I’ll let you eat first]
  • “How does Wilbur’s plan to save Charlotte’s egg sac show his growth as a character?”
  • “Charlotte saves Wilbur’s future, and Wilbur saves Charlotte’s future. How does each character accomplish this?”

Activity 3 – Discuss True Friend Assignment (5 minutes):

Wilbur calls Charlotte his “true friend.” Ask students to write a narrative describing an experience(s) they have had with one of their own true friends. Or Alternatively, they can learn the words to the original song “True Friends” and perform it. Students can present either their reports or perform the song in the final Charlotte’s Web class.

Assessment:

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