It is one of the most beloved children's books of all time and even received the Newberry Honor Award. Charlotte's Web tells the remarkable story of an unlikely friendship between a pig named Wilbur and a spider named Charlotte. When Wilbur is in danger of being slaughtered by a farmer, Charlotte writes messages praising Wilbur (such as "Some Pig") in her web in order to persuade the farmer to let him live. Charlotte's Web explores the innocence of childhood, friendship, the cycle of nature, imagination, and modern fantasy in a tender and heartwarming way.
Charlotte's Web is a book that can introduce lessons and activities across the curriculum.
Thanks to the internet, the possibilities of using this book in the classroom are truly endless. Some of my favorite ideas include:
- Explore the life cycle of spiders. Students can create a model using yarn, cotton, balls, plastic spiders, and construction paper to depict the various stages.
- Discuss the beautiful and intriguing words you come across as you read the story together and display them in a gauzy spiderweb word wall.
- Design a campaign poster to save Wilbur.
- STEM challenge: Students team up to make a model of Wilbur’s pigpen or one of their own original design. Provide an assortment of materials such as popsicle sticks (small and large), cardboard, foil, tape, scissors, and straws and let your kids loose!
Lexile Level: 680L
Recommended Age Range: 7-9