Jill SooyEffective Use of Phonics in ReadingSummer 2010

E.B Whites Charlottes Web

This thematic unit is aimed at elementary students in approximately 4th grade, though it can be adapted for 3rd and 5th grades as well. It will be a study of the classic novel Charlottes Web, and of its author E.B. White. The book will be read in class and biographical information about E.B White will also be discussed. Students will use additional resources such as other books, poems, websites, games and written activities with the goals being: 1.) To have a better understanding of the novel, 2.) To learn more about its author, 3.) For word study practice and to increase fluency levels, 4.) To promote the love of great literature.

About the Author E.B WhiteE. B. White, the author of such beloved children's classics as Charlotte's Web, Stuart Little, and The Trumpet of the Swan, was born in Mount Vernon, New York in 1899. He graduated from Cornell University in 1921 and, five or six years later, joined the staff of The New Yorker magazine. E.B. White authored over seventeen books of prose and poetry and was elected to the American Academy of Arts and Letters in 1973. In addition to writing children's books, E. B. White also wrote books for adults, as well as writing poems and essays, and drawing sketches for The New Yorker magazine. Some of his other books include: One Man's Meat, The Second Tree from the Corner, Letters of E. B. White, The Essays of E. B. White, and Poems and Sketches of E. B. White.Funnily enough for such a famous writer, he always said that he found writing difficult and bad for one's disposition but he kept at it!Mr. White has won countless awards, including the 1971 National Medal for Literature and the Laura Ingalls Wilder Medal, which commended him for making a substantial and lasting contribution to literature for children.He died on October 1, 1985, and is survived by his son and three grandchildren.The Stories Behind The Books -During his lifetime, many young readers asked Mr. White if his stories were true. In a letter written to be sent to his fans, he answered, No, they are imaginary tales But real life is only one kind of life there is also the life of the imagination.Mr. White lived on a farm in Maine where he kept animals, and some of these creatures made their way into his stories and books, like Stuart in Stuart Little, or Charlotte in Charlotte's Web. After all, as E.B. White said, I like animals, and my barn is a very pleasant place to be, at all hours!Stuart Little Many years ago, E.B. White would say, I went to bed one night in a railway sleeping car, and during the night I dreamed about a tiny boy who acted rather like a mouse. That's how the story of Stuart Little got started.Charlotte's Webis a children's classic that was written in 1952 by E.B. White. The central themes of the story are love and friendship. How did E. B. White think up the story for Charlotte's Web? I had been watching a big grey spider at her work and was impressed by how clever she was at weaving. Gradually I worked the spider into the story that you know, a story of friendship and salvation on a farm. This passage found at: http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/contributor.jsp?id=3410 FictionCharlottes Web by E.B. WhiteThe Annotated Charlottes Web by E.B. WhiteNon FictionE.B. White: A Biography by Scott EllegeLetters of E.B. White, Revised Edition by E.B. WhiteWritings From the New Yorker 1927-1976 by E.B. WhiteEssays of E.B. White by E.B. WhitePoems and Sketches of E.B. White by E.B. WhiteCharlottes Web (Teachers Guide): Reading Writing and the Love of Literature by Novel Units, Inc.A Guide For Using Charlottes Web in the Classroom by Patsy CareyCharlottes Web: E.B White (Literature Kit) by Brenda RollinsWritten for 3rd-4th graders, but could be adapted for older students

Websiteshttp://abcteach.com/directory/theme_units/literature/charlottes_web/http://www.gamequarium.com/charlottesweb.htmlhttp://www.webenglishteacher.com/white.htmlhttp://www.pocanticohills.org/charlotte/teacher.htmhttp://mrscjacksonsclass.com/charlottesweb.htmhttp://www.pocanticohills.org/charlotte/worksht1.htmhttp://www.jenuinetech.com/Projects/webproject/cwactivities.htmhttp://theliterarylink.com/childsty.html#Charlotte's%20WebMoviesCharlottes Web Paramount Studios (2006)Field TripsAn ideal field trip for this unit would be to visit a farm, where children can experience the real life version of the characters they meet in the book: pigs, cows, sheep, geese, and maybe even a spider or two.

Performance TextsA Letter from E. B. WhiteWhere did the ideas for Charlotte and Stuart Little come from? Why did E. B. White choose to write about a pig? Did his stories really happen? Read the answers in this letter, which he wrote to all kids everywhere shortly before his death.Dear Reader:I receive many letters from children and can't answer them all -- there wouldn't be time enough in a day. That is why I am sending you this printed reply to your letter. I'll try to answer some of the questions that are commonly asked.Where did I get the idea for Stuart Little and for Charlotte's Web? Well, many years ago I went to bed one night in a railway sleeping car, and during the night I dreamed about a tiny boy who acted rather like a mouse. That's how the story of Stuart Little got started.As for Charlotte's Web, I like animals and my barn is a very pleasant place to be, at all hours. One day when I was on my way to feed the pig, I began feeling sorry for the pig because, like most pigs, he was doomed to die. This made me sad. So I started thinking of ways to save a pig's life. I had been watching a big grey spider at her work and was impressed by how clever she was at weaving. Gradually I worked the spider into the story that you know, a story of friendship and salvation on a farm. Three years after I started writing it, it was published. (I am not a fast worker, as you can see.)Sometimes I'm asked how old I was when I started to write, and what made me want to write. I started early -- as soon as I could spell. In fact, I can't remember any time in my life when I wasn't busy writing. I don't know what caused me to do it, or why I enjoyed it, but I think children often find pleasure and satisfaction in trying to set their thoughts down on paper, either in words or in pictures. I was no good at drawing, so I used words instead. As I grew older, I found that writing can be a way of earning a living.Some of my readers want me to visit their school. Some want me to send a picture, or an autograph, or a book. And some ask questions about my family and my animals and my pets. Much as I'd like to, I can't go visiting. I can't send books, either -- you can find them in a bookstore or a library. Many children assume that a writer owns (or even makes) his own books. This is not true -- books are made by the publisher. If a writer wants a copy, he must buy it. That's why I can't send books. And I do not send autographs -- I leave that to the movie stars. I live most of the year in the country, in New England. From our windows we can look out at the sea and the mountains. I live near my married son and three grandchildren.Are my stories true, you ask? No, they are imaginary tales, containing fantastic characters and events. In real life, a family doesn't have a child who looks like a mouse; in real life, a spider doesn't spin words in her web. In real life, a swan doesn't blow a trumpet. But real life is only one kind of life -- there is also the life of the imagination. And although my stories are imaginary, I like to think that there is some truth in them, too -- truth about the way people and animals feel and think and act.Yours sincerely,E. B. Whitehttp://www.harpercollinschildrens.com/HarperChildrens/Kids/AuthorsAndIllustrators/AuthorNote.aspx?CId=10499The Spiders Web (A Natural History)The spider, dropping down from twig, Unfolds a plan of her devising, A thin premeditated rig To use in rising.

And all that journey down through space, In cool descent and loyal hearted, She spins a ladder to the place From where she started.

Thus I, gone forth as spiders do In spiders web a truth discerning, Attach one silken thread to you For my returning.E.B. White

Quotes From E.B. WhiteStudents can be paired together and given a quote to discuss, look up vocabulary words, and share with the rest of the class. One student could read it out loud to the group and the other person could explain what the two of them discussed about it. As a group, delve more deeply into what White meant as it pertains to Charlottes Web or as it pertains to life. "The young writer should learn to spot them: words that at first glance seem freighted with delicious meaning, but that soon burst in the air, leaving nothing but a memory of bright sound." E.B. White

"A schoolchild should be taught grammar--for the same reason that a medical student should study anatomy. Having learned about the exciting mysteries of an English sentence, the child can then go forth and speak and write any way he pleases." E.B. White

One of the most time-consuming things is to have an enemy. E. B. WhiteThe only sense that is common in the long run, is the sense of change and we all instinctively avoid it. E. B. WhitePrejudice is a great time saver. You can form opinions without having to get the facts. E. B. WhiteThe world is full of people who have never, since childhood, met an open doorway with an open mind. E. B. WhiteWe should all do what, in the long run, gives us joy, even if it is only picking grapes or sorting the laundry. E. B. WhiteI would feel more optimistic about a bright future for man if he spent less time proving that he can outwit Nature and more time tasting her sweetness and respecting her seniority. E. B. White

People are, if anything, more touchy about being thought silly than they are about being thought unjust. E. B. White"Why did you do all this for me?" he asked. "I don't deserve it. I've never done anything for you.' You have been my friend,' replied Charlotte. 'That in itself is a tremendous thing." E.B. White (Charlotte's Web)"A writer who waits for ideal conditions under which to work will die without putting a word to paper." E.B. White"You have been my friend. That in itself is a tremendous thing. I wove my webs for you because I liked you. After all, what's a life, anyway? We're born, we live a little while, we die. A spider's life can't help being something of a mess, with all this trapping and eating flies. By helping you, perhaps I was trying to lift up my life a trifle. Heaven knows anyone's life can stand a little of that." E.B. White"Wilbur never forgot Charlotte. Although he loved her children and grandchildren dearly, none of the new spiders ever quite took her place in his heart. She was in a class by herself. It is not often that someone comes along who is a true friend and a good writer. Charlotte was both." E.B. White"All that I hope to say in books, all that I ever hope to say, is that I love the world." E.B. White"Be obscure clearly." E.B. White"I arise in the morning torn between a desire to improve the world and a desire to enjoy the world. This makes it hard to plan the day." E.B. WhiteFound at: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/e/e_b_white.html

E.B. White's letter to Carnegie IIn this letter to the first Carnegie Commission, the writer gives one of the most compact and eloquent descriptions of what advocates hoped for public television. On stationery of the magazine where he worked for years, White addressed Stephen White, assistant to the commission chairman, James R. Killian, Jr. At the start of Chapter 1 of its report, the commission printed the portion of the letter in boldface below.The New YorkerNo. 23 West 43rd StreetNew York, N.Y. 10036

September 26, 1966Dear Steve:I have a grandson now named Steven White, and I'll bet he can swim faster and stay under longer than you can. As for television, I doubt that I have any ideas or suggestions that would be worth putting on paper. / Non-commercial TV should address itself to the ideal of excellence, not the idea of acceptability -- which is what keeps commercial TV from climbing the staircase. I think TV should be providing the visual counterpart of the literary essay, should arouse our dreams, satisfy our hunger for beauty, take us on journeys, enable us to participate in events, present great drama and music, explore the sea and the sky and the woods and the hills. It should be our Lyceum, our Chautauqua, our Minsky's, and our Camelot. It should restate and clarify the social dilemma and the political pickle. Once in a while it does, and you get a quick glimpse of its potential. /As you see, I have nothing specific to offer and am well supplied with platitudes, every one of them gilt-edged. But thanks for the chance.Yours,E.B. WhiteSource: Scanned from a letter in the collection of the State Historical Society of Wisconsin Library.

Charlotte's Web: A playGather your students together and bring the story of Charlotte's Web to life with this script. There are 20 roles in this play, but the same actor can play more than one part.

Cast of Characters

The People

Narrators 1, 2, and 3

Fern Arablea girl who lives on a farm

Avery ArableFern's younger brother

Mr. ArableFern's father

Mr. ZuckermanFern's uncle

Mrs. ZuckermanFern's aunt

Lurvythe Zuckermans' farmhand

Fair Official

The Animals

Wilbura pig

Charlottea spider

Templetona rat

Bitsy and Betsycows

Gussya female goose

Gollya male goose; Gussy's husband

Baby Spiders 1, 2, and 3

Part I SCENE 1 Narrator 1: A spring thunderstorm jolts Fern Arable awake in the middle of the night. Peering out of her bedroom window, she notices a light flickering in the barn.Narrator 2: Worried, Fern creeps out to the barn. She sees her father bent over something. Suddenly, her face brightens.Narrator 3: Suckling tight against a sow are nine new piglets. Mr. Arable brings the tenth piglet to the last teat, wipes his brow, and sits back.Narrator 1: Just then, a tiny pink runt appears and squirms over to its siblings. Weak and small, but fiercely determined, it clambers on top of them, searching for food.Narrator 2: Fern's father sighs and goes to his wall of tools.Fern: What are you doing?!Mr. Arable: Fern! Go back to bed.Narrator 3: He picks up a hand axe and the runt.Fern: NO! It's not fair! It couldn't help being born small!Mr. Arable: There are 11 pigs and only ten teats. The sow can't feed it.Fern: Then I will!Narrator 1: She snatches the pig.Fern: I'll feed you and care for you... (staring at her father) and absolutely will not let you kill him!SCENE 2Narrator 2: A month later, Fern and her parents sit in their kitchen. Next to Fern is the runt, now a healthy young pig named "Wilbur."Mr. Arable: Fern, it's time for the pig to go. I can't have you keeping what will soon be a 200-pound pet around the house.Fern: I promised I'd take care of him.Mrs. Arable: How about Uncle Homer? I think he could probably use a pig at a good price. And Wilbur would be right next door.Narrator 3: The next morning, Fern solemnly carries Wilbur next door to the farm of her uncle, Homer Zuckerman.Fern: You'll make lots of new friends here. Just be yourself.Narrator 1: Fern tearfully pulls herself away and runs to the waiting school bus.Narrator 2: Wilbur squeals and begins to ram the fence. A board snaps and he takes off.Betsy: Ooh, look, Bits. Pig's out.Bitsy: He sure is... out of his mind.Narrator 3: The bus disappears over a crest. As Wilbur hangs his head, Lurvy appears.Lurvy (trying to sound hypnotizing): You love the pen. You want to go baaaack to the pen . . .Narrator 1: Wilbur looks past Lurvy to the thing that's really hypnotizing him: Mr. Zuckerman, banging on a pail of slop with a wooden spoon.Golly: Don't fall for it!Narrator 2: Wilbur steps into the pen and takes a long drink of slop.Betsy: Hear that, Bits? Pig's in.Bitsy: He's in all right. Insane.Narrator 3: A few days later, Wilbur wriggles and splashes in the mud.Wilbur: This is great! Anyone want to join me?Narrator 1: None of the animals do. Dejected, Wilbur plops down next to his trough.Narrator 2: A rat appears and starts shoving food into his mouth.Wilbur: Hi there. My name's Wilbur. Do you have a name?Templeton: Of course I do. It's Templeton.Wilbur: You wanna play, Templeton?Templeton: For so many reasons, no. see, I don't "play." I gnaw, I spy, I eat, I hide. Me, in a nutshell.Narrator 3: Templeton disappears under the trough. That night, Wilbur lies in the cold, dark barn.Wilbur: Goodnight. Goodnight? Gooodniiiiight...Narrator 1: An older female voice rises from the darkness.Charlotte: You won't be doing that all night, will you? I'm trying to concentrate.Wilbur: I can't sleep unless someone tells me good-night.Charlotte: Goodnight. Okay? All better now?Wilbur: Please tell me where you are. Can't you see I'm lonely?Charlotte: Shhhhh. You think you're the only one around here who's alone? Go to sleep. We'll converse tomorrow.Wilbur: Converse?Charlotte: "Chat."Narrator 2: The next morning, Wilbur stares impatiently at the horizon.Wilbur: Okay! It's morning! Would the party who addressed me last night kindly make herself known!Charlotte: Shhhh! Pipe down and I'll come out.Betsy (under her breath): Wish she'd stay in.Bitsy: They eat their young, you know.Gussy: Eight spindly-indly legs. And fangs. Ugh...Narrator 3: A large, gray spider lowers herself from the corner of the doorway.Charlotte: I think this is the part where I say ... salutations.Narrator 1: Wilbur's smile fades. He hangs his head and turns.Wilbur: Oh. Okay. I'll leave.Charlotte: "Salutations," Wilbur, is just a fancy way of saying "hello."Wilbur: Oh. Hello! What's your name?Charlotte: My name is Charlotte.Wilbur: Great name. Hey, since you've said salu... you know, that word... does that mean we're friends?Charlotte: I suppose it does.Wilbur: Yyyyyyeah!Golly (to Gussy): Poor kid. He's got no idea what's going to happen to him.Gussy: Nor should-should-should he. Let him enjoy himself while he can.SCENE 3Narrator 2: Spring soon turns to summer. Wilbur is happy in the company of his new friend, and enjoys daily visits from Fern.Narrator 3: One evening, Fern notices Avery closing in on Charlotte.Avery: Heeeerrrreeee, spidey-spidey-spidey.Fern: Don't you touch her, you little toad!Narrator 1: Ignoring her, Avery slams a jar down over Charlotte. Wilbur charges into Avery's knees, sending him stumbling back into the trough. There is a dull explosive noise, followed by a wretched smell.Narrator 2: Avery has stepped on a rotten goose egg that Templeton was storing in his lair. Avery drops the jar and runs out, gagging.Templeton: Oh, that stinks good.Narrator 3: All of the animals glare at Templeton. Breathing only through her mouth, Bitsy scolds him.Bitsy: Now wook wha oove dun. Ugh.Wilbur: It saved Charlotte, didn't it?Templeton: Hear that, toots? You owe me one.Charlotte: Actually, it was Wilbur who did most of the saving.Templeton: Ironic, isn't it? He's saving you, and they're saving him for Christmas.Wilbur: Templeton, what are you talking about?Templeton: Come winter, the farmer will be checkin' you in to the old smokehouse hotel. And the only "checking out" that happens is when people gather around and say, "Check out that yummy sausage!"Narrator 1: Wilbur trembles. He looks at Charlotte.Wilbur: Is it true?Charlotte: Sadly, yes.Wilbur: I don't want to die! I want to live!Charlotte: And you will. I'm going to save your life, Wilbur.Wilbur: How on earth can you possibly do that!?Charlotte: I don't know. But I've made you a promise and promises are something I never break.Part II PROLOGUEGolly: Last time we saw all of you, Wilbur had finally made a friend on the farm Charlotte, the spider.Bitsy: But it turns out that not having any friends was the least of Wilburs problems.Golly: Thats right. The farmer, Mr. Zuckerman, has plans to cook Wilbur up for a Christmas feast.Gussy: Charlotte promised Wilbur that shed save his life. But we all know its awfully hard-hard-hard to change a farmers mind...SCENE 4Narrator 1: Lurvy, the farmhand, freezes in front of Wilburs pen. His slop bucket drops, and he stumbles backward.Narrator 2: A short time later, Wilbur opens his eyes to find Lurvy, the Zuckermans, and the Arables staring at the corner above his pen.Mrs. Zuckerman: Its a miracle. A bona fide miracle.Narrator 3: Written into Charlottes web are the words SOME PIG.Narrator 1: Soon, a large crowd of neighbors, townspeople, journalists, and photographers are clamoring around Wilburs pen.Narrator 3: But as the days go by, the crowd shrinks. Charlotte calls an animal meeting.Charlotte: Now, as weve all witnessed, if its written, humans believe it. But humans have very short attention spans, and there is too much time between now and Christmas. Certainly enough time for Zuckerman to find his affection for a pig losing out to his hunger for ham. I must get another word written before we lose momentum.Narrator 1: The animals call out suggestions for Charlottes next word.Charlotte: Wilbur, look around and tell me how you feel.Narrator 2: Wilbur looks around at all the smiling, friendly animals. He grins.Narrator 3: Two days later, an even bigger crowd is gathered around Wilburs pen. Flashbulbs go off as Wilbur proudly poses beneath the word TERRIFIC.Mr. Zuckerman: Folks, dont forget to buy yourselves some apples and Zuckermans terrific berries while youre here!SCENE 5Narrator 1: Fall arrives. Lying on a pile of leaves one afternoon, Fern overhears her uncle talking to Lurvy.Mr. Zuckerman: First thing tomorrow, I want you to take a look at that smokehouse chimney. Have to get a jump on that if we want it workin before the freeze.Narrator 2: Stunned, Fern looks at Wilbur, who faints. She runs home.Fern: Theyre still thinking of eating him? If I had known this was what they were going to do to him, I wouldnt have sold him!Mr. Arable: Its what happens to a pig on a farm, Fern. You know that. And theres nothing you can do about it.Narrator 3: Fern storms off. A few days later, she sees a flier for the county fair. She has an idea...Narrator 1: Meanwhile, Charlotte has spun a new message into her web: RADIANT. Another crowd appears the biggest yet.Mr. Zuckerman: Ive decided to enter Wilbur in the county fair!Mrs. Zuckerman: What gave you that idea?Narrator 2: Mr. Zuckerman glances at the flier he found on his tractor seat that morning. Mr. Zuckerman: Just came to me.Mr. Arable: Fairs got rules and guidelines for swine. Theyre supposed to be, you know ... big.Mrs. Zuckerman: Hes right. Itll take nothing short of a miracle for this pig to win.Mr. Zuckerman: And what do you think were standing here looking at?Wilbur: Did you hear what they said, Charlotte? Im going to the fair! Im practically saved.Charlotte: Thats very good. Youll have to tell me all about it when you come back.Wilbur: What do you mean?Charlotte: I have work to do. Work that I must do alone.Wilbur: But I cant go without you.Charlotte: Sure you can. You said it yourself. Youre saved.Narrator 3: But the day before the fair, Charlotte hears Mr. Zuckerman say that if Wilbur doesnt win, at least hell be good for 50 dollars worth of bacon and ham. Breathing hard, Charlotte makes her way to Wilburs traveling crate.Gussy: Are you okay-kay-kay?Charlotte: Evidently, people feel entitled to devour animals no matter how radiant or terrific they are.Betsy: Looks to me like you need your rest, sweetie.Gussy: Someone in your-your-your condition ought not to be travelin.Charlotte: I have to do what must be done at the fair. SCENE 6Narrator 1: At the fair, Templeton pops his head into Wilburs stall.Templeton: Whoa! Have you seen the beast next door? I think his mama was part hippo! Hes a shoo-in.Charlotte: Well just have to work twice as hard to show the finest pig isnt necessarily the fattest. Wilbur: Charlotte? If I dont win the prize, theyre gonna...Charlotte: But you will win. And Zuckerman will be very proud, and hell keep you around to remind him of that feeling.Narrator 2: Charlotte stops to catch her breath. Wanting as many word choices as possible, she sends Templeton out to collect scraps of paper. Hopefully, hell find a scrap with just the word she needs.Templeton (giving her a scrap): Well, your highness, you satisfied or what?Charlotte: Yes. This is the perfect word. (quietly, to herself) The last one I shall ever write.Narrator 3: In the morning, Wilbur looks uncertainly at the web.Wilbur: Is it true? I dont really feel I deserve any of the things youve written about me.Charlotte: Then it is the perfect word.Narrator 1: Wilbur notices that Charlotte is sitting on a large peach-colored ball.Wilbur: Hey, whats that?Charlotte: This is my magnum opus my great work. Its a 27-layer thick, nutrient-filled, waterproof egg sac. It holds 514 eggs.Wilbur: Wow! Youre gonna have 514 children?Charlotte: If all goes well, yes. (sadly) Of course, they wont show up till next spring.Wilbur: Why do you sound so down in the dumps? This is great news!Narrator 2: Just then, the Arables and Zuckermans appear. Mrs. Arable: The web!Mr. Arable: HUMBLE. Hmm. If thats not a prize-winner, I dont know what is.Narrator 3: Mrs. Arable, however, is pointing in horror at a blue ribbon hanging on the pen of the gigantic pig next to Wilbur.Mrs. Zuckerman: This is an outrage! Our little Wilbur may be small, but hes got character! Anyone can see that!Mrs. Arable: And did that pig draw this crowd? I think not!Narrator 1: They stare at the ribbon in disbelief, unaware of the crowd heading their way.Fair Official: Mr. Zuckerman? Could you come with me, please?Narrator 2: The crowd cheers as the Arables and Zuckermans escort Wilbur to the grandstand.Fair Official: Folks, I think we all remember the start of the summer when the writing appeared on the web in Mr. Zuckermans barn, proclaiming that this was some pig. It has happened again, here at our very own humble county fair, where he has attracted a record-breaking crowd. I am honored to present a very special award, created specifically for this occasion: a check for 100 dollars and this handsome medal, a token of our awe and our appreciation. Narrator 3: The official hands the microphone to Mr. Zuckerman.Mr. Zuckerman: What can I say about our pig here that hasnt already been said? There is no denying that our little Wilbur is surrounded by something bigger than all of us. Its a miracle in a time when we really dont see many miraculous things.Narrator 1: Later, Wilbur settles into his straw, pleased and relaxed.Wilbur: Wont it be great to be back home?Charlotte: I wont be going back to the barn, Wilbur. Im dying.Narrator 1: You see, most spiders have a one-year life span. They are born in the spring and die the next spring.Wilbur: What? But... you cant die!Charlotte: I can and I will. We are born into this world, we live, and when our time comes, we die. This is the natural cycle of life.Wilbur: Youve done so much for me isnt there anything I can do for you?Charlotte: Oh, Wilbur. You already have. You made me your friend.Narrator 2: Mr. Zuckermans truck pulls up. Charlotte: Goodbye, my sweet, sweet Wilbur.Narrator 3: Wilburs eyes water. He simply nods, knowing this is the last time he will ever see Charlotte.SCENE 7Narrator 1: Fall turns into winter, and winter into spring. Wilbur and the other animals take turns sitting beside Charlottes egg sac, which Wilbur carried home from the fair. Finally . . . Wilbur: Theyre here! Narrator 2: Wilbur adores the tiny spiders. One day, a gust of wind blows through the barn and they all scurry to the outdoor fence.Narrator 3: Wilbur arrives just in time to see one stand on its head and spin a silk balloon that carries it into the air.Wilbur: Wait! Wait!Narrator 1: As baby spiders fill the air, Wilbur becomes frantic. In despair, he returns to the barn. Then he hears a little voice.Baby Spider 1: Salutations!Narrator 2: Wilbur looks around.Baby Spider 1: Im up here!Baby Spider 2: So am I!Baby Spider 3: Me too! Wed like to stay. We like it here.Baby Spider 2: And we like you, too.Narrator 3: Wilbur watches his three new friends weave their webs.Wilbur: Youve chosen a hallowed doorway in which to spin your webs. This was your mothers doorway. She was loyal, brilliant, and beautiful, and she was my friend. So to you, her daughters, I pledge my friendship forever.Narrator 1: Wilbur loved his new friends, but he missed Charlotte, too. Narrator 2: But he knew that being friends means that no matter where life takes you, you carry a piece of that friendship with you. Then you pass it on!Adapted from the Paramount Pictures/Walden Media Film. Screenplay by Susannah Grant and Karey Kirkpatrick, based on the film story by Earl Hamner Jr.

Name: ________________________________Provided By: www.TheTeachersCorner.net Charlotte's Web Crossword Puzzle

Please complete the crossword puzzle below.

5

1236

2

1011

1

98

4

7

Across:1. Grumpy rat who ends up helping Wilbur4. A fit of uncontrollable laughter or crying 3. The setting of the story 7. Something Wilbur likes to eat that you would not. 9. This is who taught Wilber about friendship 12. Very unusual or remarkable Down:2. Greeting indicating resprect and affection; regards 3. The first to rescue Wilbur 5. The state the E.B. White lived in (rhymes with rain) 6. Another word for bright and shiny 8. The author of Charlotte's Web 10. To climb down or go down to a lower level 11. One TERRIFIC pig

Name: ________________________________Provided By: www.TheTeachersCorner.net Charlotte's Web Crossword Puzzle KEYPlease complete the crossword puzzle below.

5M

12EXTRAORDINARY3FA6RM

I2SEA

10D11WNARD

EI1TEMPLETONI

9CHARLOTT8EUA

EBBTN

NUAT

DRWT

4HYSTERICS

IO

TN

E7SLOPS

Across:1. Grumpy rat (TEMPLETON)4. A fit of uncontrollable laughter or crying (HYSTERICS)3. The setting of the story (FARM)7. Something Wilbur likes to eat (SLOPS)9. This is who taught Wilber about friendship (CHARLOTTE)12. Very unusual or remarkable (EXTRAORDINARY)Down:2. Greeting indicating resprect and affection; regards (SALUTATIONS)3. The first to rescue Wilbur (FERN)5. The state the E.B. White lived in (rhymes with rain) (MAINE)6. Another word for bright and shiny (RADIANT)8. The author of Charlotte's Web (EB WHITE)10. To climb down or go down to a lower level (DECEND)11. One TERRIFIC pig (WILBUR)

Directions: These are all vocabulary words found in Charlottes Web. After having previously introduced many of these words throughout the unit, the teacher will read the definition of one of the words. The words will be posted on a wall in the classroom. The students will try to figure out the word that matches the definition. The teacher will confirm, so that the students are sure as to which word to mark on their game board.

WORDO

Genuine

AscendCommotionHystericsRunt

Inheritance

BewildermentSalutationMeeklyPeered

RadiantSchemingFREE SPACEHumbleSlops

Carousing

AnxietyMonotonousIdiosyncracyGoslings

Mercy

Injustice

Gorge

Indigestion

Sedentary

Found at: http://www.easyfunschool.com/article1682.html

Charlotte's Web Word Search Using Vocabulary Words

S E V A R Z I B F P Y C R E M A N P Y M T O X N S N P Z J W X D V S T O W A W A Y B D O N L T Q M Q R N J J Z N M Y O M K L D P N D J T C G I S K M M U S P T O K D R P J G N I T T A L B O L B M Z M H M D F T U T N U R W Q X A T C I E V M H N U O I D M O N O T O N O U S P O L S T F V R M L D Q D H Q A Q O P X C B E S T I R R E D E A I O X G D X Y D G C E Q T K Z C M E E K L Y C Y R A T N E D E S V I I D I O S Y N C R A C Y M B A T L I Y A A T T D N T O W W M H A O E E S U H C H D S O E N U D E N G N A I Z O P T G N X D J U E I U K N O O D T R R S A L U T A T I O N S J L D G O S L I N G S H I U X G N A I P L R V I B O Y I R F Y T S O E L U C E U I B G N B H E E P U F R A W K S L M T G D X S S P G N Y O G G H C S T G C E W E Q B E T R B N G G S D T D I W U N I E T R O L G D B D N U O Q J P M Z B Q H T N O I T C E S D I M B I A K L G P R F J V Y V L R Z R N S F R D D T T D I M E G T A O Q F V W L A E A T C U H M N J A E D F G Y H F X V C T J S D Y X Q S G J S I O T S A T N H N J T R M J E E R U C E S E H N U L N C R I A V P T L P M Y A Q A E I N O H V E I I K E G E I G T T K T Y T K X A H D J E L N V Z E N N M N V N U W N Y J E H N L U R L L C P O M O O D G O A I B I M B K I P Q I U B U A R E T O R T E D N N M N L O U P X K P Q F E F J Q M D F O H D L X I E A M U G K N H E E T A D E J N Y B O O A V S S H H C I U R A K E U K C V O F T X N E L B M U H C B P D S B S E R C G I K C V A A O R E A E U E S F U W N M A R E Z D Y Y I E G U P E U R T K D E L E M M U P H D W M T V S W C S U

Word List:

AERONAUTALDERSALOFTANXIETYASCENDBESTIRREDBEWILDERMENTBLATTINGBUTTERMILKCAPTIVITYCAROUSINGCOMMOTIONCOMPUNCTIONSDECENCYDESCENDEDDETESTEDDRAGLINEEXERTIONGENUINEGIGANTICGLUTTONGORGEGOSLINGSHOMINYHUMBLEHYSTERICSIDIOSYNCRACYINDIGESTIONINHERITANCEINJUSTICEKNOTHOLELAIRLANGUISHINGLITTERLOATHEDMANUREMEEKLYMERCYMIDSECTIONMIDWAYMIRACULOUSMONOTONOUSOBLIGEPEEREDPHENOMENONPUMMELEDRADIALRADIANTRAMBLEDRETORTEDRIGIDRUMMAGINGRUNTSALUTATIONSSCHEMINGSCUMSECURESEDENTARYSLOPSSNOUTSPINNERETSSTOWAWAYSUMMONINGTHRASHINGTRIUMPHTROUGHVAGUELYVANISHEDVERSATILE

Charlotte's Web Cryptogram

Directions: Complete the cryptogram to decipher the quotation.

ANSWER"All that I hope to say in books, all that I ever hope to say, is that I love the world." E.B. White

Created using Puzzlemaker at DiscoveryEducation.com

Charlotte's Web Double PuzzleUnscramble each of the clue words. Copy the letters in the numbered cells to other cells with the same number.

Answers: Friendship, piglet, litter, Arable, terrific, radiant, Wilbur, humble, miracle, Avery, fair, ZuckermanCreated using Puzzlemaker at DiscoveryEducation.com

Reading Comprehension/ BiographyName __________________________ Date __________________________

E.B. WHITEElwyn Brooks White was born in New York in 1899. He was theyoungest child in a large family.

E. B. White graduated from Cornell University in 1921. After hegraduated, he worked as a newspaper reporter in Seattle. Hereturned to New York in 1924, and began working for the New Yorkermagazine. The New Yorker is a literary magazine, publishing shortstories, essays, and novel excerpts. White joined the staff in 1927. Hewrote for the magazine for sixty years. E.B. White is well known forhis essay style, which is spare, clear, and elegant. Some fans havesaid that White defined the American voice in his essays, whichwere published in the New Yorker and other magazines, as well asseveral books.

He definitely defined American writing style with his update of WilliamStrunk, Jr.s Elements of Style. The Elements of Style (also calledStrunk & White) has been assigned reading in most high schools andcolleges for nearly fifty years. The books straightforward directions(Be clear) and simple format (its only 85 pages long) have madethis book about grammar and usage an indispensable tool forAmerican writers.

E.B. White is an honored writer for adults, but many people love himbest for his childrens books. His first childrens book, Stuart Little,was published in 1945. This tale of a mouse and his adventures witha human family was popular when it was published, and its popularityendures today. He wrote Charlottes Web, a story of an unusualfriendship between a pig and a spider, in 1952. In 1970, E.B. Whitesthird and last childrens book, The Trumpet of the Swan, waspublished. The story about a boys observations of nature and avoiceless swan is also well loved.

He married the literary editor of the New Yorker, Katherine SergeantAngell, in 1929. They had one child together, Joel White, and alsoraised Roger Angell, her son from a previous marriage. E.B. Whitedied in 1985 at his farm in Maine.

2006 abcteach.com

Reading Comprehension/ BiographyName __________________________ Date __________________________

ANSWER THE QUESTIONS ABOUT E.B. WHITE

1. E. B. White

a. wrote children's booksb. wrote essaysc. wrote a grammar bookd. all of the above

2. Based on the description in the text, which adjectives mostaccurately describe E.B. Whites writing style?

a. flowery and romanticb. crisp and cleanc. childish and simpled. harsh and witty

3. Why is The Elements of Style assigned in schools?

a. because E.B. White is a famous childrens book authorb. because its very short and students like short booksc. because it defines how to write clearly and simplyd. because it hasnt been updated for sixty years

4. Charlottes Web is about

a. an odd relationshipb. a mouse raised by humansc. how to write clearlyd. a new movie

5. The Trumpet of the Swan is about

a. a spider and a pigb. a swan without a voicec. an adventurous moused. none of the above

6. E. B. White's first children's book was

a. Stuart Littleb. Charlottes Webc. The Trumpet of the Swand. All of the above

ANSWERS1. d2. b3. c4. a5. b6. a

Write an acrostic poem using the word below

W ___________________________________________

I ___________________________________________

L ___________________________________________

B ___________________________________________

U ___________________________________________

R ___________________________________________

Fern and Wilbur: Cloze Friends

Every morning after ___________, Wilbur walked out to the ________ with Fern and waited with her till the _______came. She would wave good-bye to him, and he would ________and watch the bus until it __________around a turn. While Fern was in school, __________was shut inside the barn. But as _______as she got home in the ___________, she would take home out and he would __________her around the place. If she went into the house, Wilbur went, too. If she went ____________, Wilbur would wait at the bottom step until she came down again. If she took her ______ for a walk in the doll carriage, Wilbur __________along. Sometime, on these journeys, Wilbur would get ________ and Fern would pick him up and put him in the ___________alongside the doll. He liked this. And if he was very tired, he would ________ his eyes and go to sleep under the dolls __________. He looked cute when his eyes were closed, because his lashes were so ________. The doll would close her eyes, too, and Fern would wheel the carriage very slowly and __________ so as not to wake her infants.

Answers: smoothly, long, blanket, close, carriage, followed, doll, upstairs, follow, afternoon, soon, vanished, Wilbur, stand, road, breakfast

Every morning after breakfast, Wilbur walked out to the road with Fern and waited with her till the bus came. She would wave good-bye to him, and he would stand and watch the bus until it vanished around a turn. While Fern was in school, Wilbur was shut inside the barn. But as soon as she got home in the afternoon, she would take home out and he would follow her around the place. If she went into the house, Wilbur went, too. If she went upstairs, Wilbur would wait at the bottom step until she came down again. If she took her doll for a walk in the doll carriage, Wilbur followed along. Sometime, on these journeys, Wilbur would get tired, and Fern would pick him up and put him in the carriage alongside the doll. He liked this. And if he was very tired, he would close his eyes and go to sleep under the dolls blanket. He looked cute when his eyes were closed, because his lashes were so long. The doll would close her eyes, too, and Fern would wheel the carriage very slowly and smoothly so as not to wake her infants.

Making and writing words

Vowels

a, i, e

Consonants

r, t, c, d, b, n, h, s, pOther patterns

it, ach, st, tr, ids, and, ed,

1.

car

6.

stranded11.

arch

2.

scar

7.

rain

12.

starch

3.

scare

8.

train13.

ranch

4.

stand

9.

strain14.

branch

5.

standard

10

ache15.

arachnids

1.) You drive one of these to go somewhere2.) Add an s to the beginning of the word in box 13.) Add an e to the word in box 24.) The opposite of sit5.) A reference point against which other things can be evaluated6.) Stuck, with no means to leave7.) This falls from clouds in the sky8.) Add a t to the word in box 79.) Jim had to _________ his neck to see over the person in front of him.10.) If you dont brush your teeth, you will get a tooth ________.11.) Rhymes with march, but has no m12.) add an st to the word in box 1113.) Large piece of land where farm animals are raised, also a type of salad dressing14.) Part of the tree that sticks out from the trunk15.) Scientific term for spiders

**A variation of this activity could be to write Zuckermans famous pig and let the students create as many words as they can.

Writing promptsThese prompts can be used by the students to write in their journals. Students will need to think more deeply about the contents of the book and expand on what they have learned.

1.) Write a persuasive letter to Mr. Arable about what he should do with Wilbur.2.) Create a birth announcement for Wilbur.3.) What does, "Your stomach is empty and your mind is full" mean? Can you think of a character in another story who seemed cruel at first but was actually good and true in the end?

Save Wilber, Eat Your Greens Vegetarian Cookbook

Each of the students will bring in their favorite meatless recipe. Once we have them all collected, we will type them up on the computer and illustrate them to make a vegetarian cookbook. For a surprise, the teacher could make one of the recipes as a treat for the class.

Ingredients needed:

Directions:

Cooking time:

Other information:

ReflectionI am glad I had the opportunity to complete a project like this because it was a valuable learning experience for me. I am not a teacher as of yet, so I felt like this project gave me a chance to experience what a teacher does when putting together or supplementing a unit of study. When I was learning about Making and Writing Words in a previous module, I became interested to creating my own for this project. I enjoyed working on it and I think its a valuable way to teach. It takes some thought to put it all together. I think as I do more of them, I will get better at it. It was helpful to learn to create my own games for units I will be working with. I discovered puzzlermaker at discoveryeducation.com, that allows you to create double puzzles, cryptograms, word searches and more. I used vocabulary words from Charlottes Web to create a Wordo game. I spent time going through the book to find a good paragraph for the cloze passage. I wanted something that would be challenging, but not so difficult that student would struggle too much to complete it.Another helpful aspect of going through this exercise was searching for and finding web pages with information I could use or adapt that had already worked in classrooms. I actually came across some really cute ideas for a bit younger age group that in some cases could be adapted for my target grade, but chose not to use it for this unit. I was thrilled to find the Charlottes Web script on the Internet, especially since I have learned in this course what a big impact reading of scripts such as that can increase fluency levels in students. It is helpful to now know where to find this sort of information and I ended up booking marking some of the really good sites for future use. I tried to make the unit about not only Charlottes Web, but also about its author E.B. White. It was interesting to learn that the idea for Charlottes Web was brought about by White living on a farm in Maine where he found comfort hanging out in the barn with the animals. In fact, one day he watched as a large grey spider spun her web in the barn and that was how Charlottes became part of the story. I think students can benefit from this sort of background knowledge.I think having a resource all put together like this is a huge asset for a teacher. It makes the study of the topic go much deeper, become richer, and add the fun factor into it with the games and puzzles. This is definitely something I plan to do more of in the future when I enter the classroom.