Grade Level:  3 - 5

Subjects:  Language Arts, Science, Social Studies

Learner Outcomes:

• The learner will read and discuss the book Charlotte's Web.
• The learner will use a journal to write student chosen vocabulary words, definitions, and synonyms.
• The learner will brainstorm ideas about farm life and farm animals.
• The learner will compare and contrast farm and city life styles.
• The learner will identify and describe seasonal changes on a farm.

Materials:  Charlotte's Web book, dictionaries, journals, science textbook, social studies textbook

Technology Tools/Courseware: Multimedia computer, digitial camera, projection device, cassette tape player

Teacher Notes:  Each student needs an Acceptable Use Policy on file.

Procedures: 

• The students will discuss teacher generated questions about the novel Charlotte's Web.
• The students will work with a partner and discuss their personal list of vocabulary with definitions and synonyms written in their journal.  They can locate the words in the story and see how they are used.
• The students will create a chart with information about their knowledge of farm life including the following areas:  Kinds of Farms and states located, Animals, Chores, Tools, Machinery, and Buildings.  They will use the Internet to locate additional information for their chart.
• The students will complete a Venn Diagram comparing and contrasting Farm Life and City Life.  They may use their social studies book to locate more information.
• The students will make a chart telling about seasonal changes and how they might affect farm life.  They may also include weather that accompanies the different seasons.  Use what they learned in Charlotte's Web as well as their science books and the Internet.

Enrichment Activities:

• Visit a farm on a class field trip and complete a journal entry describing their observations and compare this farm to the Zuckerman's farm.  Take pictures of farm with digital camera to be used for writing and presenting.

• The County 4-H Extension Agent and students belonging to FFA (Future Farmers of America) will visit the classroom and discuss farm and livestock projects.
• Think about the Zuckerman farm and make a diorama using a shoe box and pictures for special effects.

WV State IGOs:
  Language Arts
3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.9, 3.15, 3.16, 3.17, 3.18, 3.20, 3.23, 3.28, 3.30, 3.35, 3.37, 3.43, 3.70, 3.75, 3.76, 3.92, 4.1, 4.3, 4.5, 4.9, 4.19, 4.20, 4.21, 4.22, 4.32, 4.43, 4.44, 4.45, 4.81, 4.85, 4.100, 5.7, 5.12, 5.15, 5.19, 5.21, 5.23, 5.28, 5.33, 5.36, 5.167, 5.173, 5.186
  Social Studies
3.9, 3.10, 3.11, 3.45, 4.45, 4.49, 5.15
  Science
3.6, 3.15, 3.16, 3.25, 3.32, 3.39, 3.56, 3.63, 3.77, 3.85, 3.86, 4.3, 4.6, 4.14, 4.18, 4.24, 4.26, 4.27, 4.32, 4.34, 4.37, 4.79, 4.80, 4.81, 5.16, 5.18, 5.32, 5.33
 

National Standards:
 Language Arts:
Uses the general skills and strategies of the writing process
Uses the general skills and strategies of the reading process
Uses reading skills and strategies to understand and interpret a variety of informational texts
  Science:
Understands relationships among organisms and their physical environment
Understands the nature of scientific knowledge
  Geography:
Knows the location of places, geographic features, and patterns of the environment
Understands the physical and human characteristics of place
Understands that culture and experience influence people's perceptions of places and regions
 

References:
    Literature Notes by Frank Schaffer
    Science textbook
    Social Studies textbook
    Charlotte's Web  book
    Charlotte's Web movie
    The Mailbox Bookbag (Oct./Nov. 1999)
    libweb.uncc.edu
    teacherfeatures.com

Authors:  Harrisville Elementary School
              Tanya Barker
              Linda Campbell
              Karen Prim
 
 

Lesson1  Down On  the Farm

Lesson2  The  Perfect Friend!

Lesson3  Creepy Crawlies!

Lesson4  Just Hanging Around

Lesson5  A  Great Review!