Grade Levels:  3 - 5

Subjects:  Language Arts, Science, Social Studies

Learner Outcomes:

• The learner will identify the traits of the main characters in the story Charlotte's Web.
• The learner will describe the story elements of Charlotte's Web.
• The learner will describe and write about the qualities of a friend and the meaning of friendship.
• The learner will compare Charlotte and Wilbur's friendship to themselves and their best friend.

Materials:  Charlotte's Web book, dictionary, spider web outline, spider pattern

Technology Tools/Courseware: Multimedia computer, digital camera, scanner

Teacher Notes:  Each student needs an Acceptable Use Policy on file.  Use teacher created spider and spider web patterns.

Procedures:

• The students discuss and examine the character traits of Charlotte, Wilbur, Templeton, and Fern.  List some of their traits on the board and then students will create their own character webs or acrostics to describe each one.

• The students will answer the following questions about Charlotte's Web characters and their relationships through oral discussions:

• Use a spider pattern and describe the story elements of Charlotte's Web.  Include title, author, setting, main characters, other characters, problem, solution, and theme.  Write these on the eight legs of the spider.
• Reflect on friendship!  Use the internet site Ask Jeeves for Kids  and a dictionary to write a definition of friendship.  Students then write a poem about Charlotte, Wilbur, or their own friend using this pattern:

• Brainstorm the meaning of a friend. Discuss the qualities of a friend.  List responses on a chart.  Give each student a copy of a web pattern and have them write the qualities of a friend on the lines of the web.  "A friend is..." goes in the center of the pattern.  (You can also use plastic webs or ones made from glue on wax paper.)
• Charlotte and Wilbur had a wonderful friendship and each had great qualities.  Students reflect on their own special friendships and tell a partner about that special friend.  Using a T-graph, compare Charlotte and Wilbur's friendship to themselves and their best friend.

Enrichment:
     Design a "Friendship Award" for a great friend.
     Design posters listing traits of a good friend or that advertises "the perfect friend".  May work with a classmate or in cooperative groups.
     Make a "friendship chart"  (similar to a family tree). For example, list friends and their characteristics and/or what they like.

Evaluation/Assessment: Participation in discussions, pairs or groups.  Completion of projects, charts, and graphs.

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:  Charlotte's Web book
                       Literature Notes by Frank Schaffer
                        dictionary
                      ask jeeves for kids
                      teachnet.com
                      teacherfeatures.com
                      libweb.uncc.edu

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!