This unit is based on the book Charlotte’s Web by E White Students will expand their vocabulary with intensive
work done on understanding of words in each chapter. Students will learn how to use a dictionary and focus on the
different parts of speech. In writing students will get to experiment with writing their own imaginative stories.
Students will be assessed throughout this unit using a rubric. The rubric will be used once a week to assess students’
performance on a weekly basis. At the end of the unit, I will compile the rubrics for each week to come up with a
total score for the whole unit.
Charlotte’s Web Assessment Rubric
Score
4
3
2
1
Participation in
Discussions
Always added to
discussions with
comments or
questions related to
topic of discussion.
Participated most of
the time with
comments or
questions related to
topic of discussion.
Never participated in
group discussions.
Journal Entries
Always had journal
entries that focused
on the unit topic.
Writing (Journals)
Always
demonstrated
appropriate
sentence structure,
spelling, and
grammar usage in
journal writings.
Most of the time had
journal entries that
focused on the unit
topic.
Most of the time
demonstrated
appropriate
sentence structure,
spelling, and
grammar usage in
journal writings.
Daily vocabulary
activities always
completed and
correct.
Daily vocabulary
activities almost
always completed
and correct.
“Parts of speech”
activities were
always completed
correctly.
“Parts of speech”
activities were
almost always
completed correctly.
Excellent
Good
Once in awhile
participated with
questions or
comments relating
to topic of
discussion.
Sometimes had
journal entries that
focus on the unit
topic.
Sometimes
demonstrated
appropriate
sentence structure,
spelling, and
grammar usage, but
more review is
needed over
concepts.
Daily vocabulary
sometimes
completed and
correct but more
review needed over
what is expected.
“Parts of speech”
activities were
sometimes
completed correctly,
but more review is
needed over
concept.
Fair
Vocabulary
Parts of Speech
Activities
Attitude
Never had journal
entries that focused
on the unit topic.
Did not have a clear
understanding of
appropriate
sentence structure,
spelling, and
grammar usage.
Did not have a clear
understanding of
what was expected
for vocabulary
activities. Review is
needed.
Does not have a
clear understanding
of “parts of speech.”
Review is needed.
Poor
Charlotte’s Web
Week 1
Tuesday
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Wednesday
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Thursday
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Introduction to Charlotte's Web Unit- Brief summary of book
given…some information about the author.
Assign vocabulary words for students to look up in
dictionary and record short definition in journal:
injustice(3); runt(3); distribute(5); miserable(4); specimen(5);
promptly(5); appetite (7)
Read chapter 1 (Before Breakfast) out loud as a group.
Discuss the events that happened in the chapter leading up
to Fern saving Wilbur’s life. Discuss the feeling and
emotions of Fern and her father.
In your journal summarize the feelings of Fern and her dad
in this chapter? Who do you think is right/wrong? Who do
you agree with and why?
Teach a short lesson on nouns and proper nouns--provide
students with the following definitions and examples of
each: Noun--a word that describes a person (teacher), place
(school), or thing (pencil): Proper Noun—is a noun that is
always capitalized Mrs. Jackson (person); Binalong (place)
Assign activity for students to complete--(See Activity)
List nouns of things found in classroom, bathroom or kitchen
Assign students vocabulary to look up in dictionary and
record short definition in journal for chapter 2 : enchanted
(9); relieved (9); vanished (10); amused (10); delightfully (11);
manure (12)
Read chapter 2 out loud . Discuss how Wilbur is feeling in
this chapter. Discuss how Fern is feeling in this chapter.
Would you feel the same way and why?
Do a short lesson on adjectives—provide students with the
following definition and example--An adjective describes a
noun--pretty dress--pretty is the adjective because it
describes dress.
Use the activity sheet to describe Wilbur in this chapter.
http://www.abcteach.com/grammar/adj3.htm --Discuss what
students put down
Week 2
Tuesday
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Wednesday
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Thursday
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Assign students vocabulary to look up in dictionary and
record short definition in journal for chapter 3:
perspiration(13); patient(13); loft(13); scythes(14); orchard(17);
commotion(18); dazed(22); hullabaloo(22); instructions(22);
captivity(22); appealing(22); reconsider(23); praise (24)
Introduce the concept of cause and effect. Provide
students with definitions and examples. Discuss some
cause and effects situations in the book that they have
already read about. Talk about how cause and effect can
strongly influence the choices we make--provide examples
to different scenarios.
Read chapter 3 out loud. After reading chapter 3 have
students pick a scenario from the book--have them label a
cause and effect to scenario. Have them change the
scenario so the cause and effect is different. Have them
explain if the book's scenario or their scenario was the best
choice and why.
Vocabulary game (Spend about 5-10 min. on game)--use site
to make game reviewing vocabulary words from last
week's journal activities:
http://www.teachnet.com/lesson/langarts/general/vocab.h
tml
Assign students vocabulary to look up in dictionary and
record definition in journal for chapter 4: steadily (25);
gloomily (27); honestly (27); budge (27); mentioned (27);
bitterly (28); absolutely (29); frolic (29); cautiously (30);
trough (30); certainly (31); endure (31); occasionally (31)
Read Chapter 4 together.
Have students summarize how Wilbur was feeling in this
chapter. Then have them describe how they might of felt if
they were Wilbur. Would they handle the situation in the
same manner or in a different manner?
Share journal entries from day before. Discuss.
Assign students vocabulary to look up in dictionary and
record definition in journal for chapter 5: gnawing (32);
approximately (33); disgust (34); appropriate (34);
salutations (34); expression (35); objectionable (35);
blundered (37); furiously (37); inheritance (39); innocent
(40); excitement (41)
Read chapter 5 out loud. Have students reflect in journals
their feelings toward Charlotte based on how Wilbur feels
about Charlotte. Will she be a good friend for Wilbur. Why
or Why not?
Week 3
Tuesday
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Wednesday
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Thursday
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Teach a short lesson on pronouns--Provide students with
following definition--A pronoun is a word that takes the
place of a noun--Allow students to do a word search puzzle
that recognizes a variety of pronouns:
http://www.abcteach.com/grammar/wspronoun.htm
Assign students vocabulary to look up in dictionary and
record definition in journal for chapter 6: morals (46);
scruples (46); decency (46); consideration (46); compunctions
(46); ancient (47); untenable (47)
Read chapter 6 together.
Summarize events 0f Chapter 6 in group.
Activity to review pronouns--On the board write down five
sentences from chapter 6--have students write the sentences
on paper and replace the nouns in each sentence with a
pronoun.
Assign students vocabulary to look up in dictionary and
record definition in journal for chapter 7: anesthetic (48);
envy (49); conspiracy (49); hysterics (51)
Read chapter 7 out loud.
Have students reflect in journals Wilbur's feelings in this
chapter. Also have students reflect on question #7 found on
following link:
http://www.teachnet.com/lesson/langarts/charlotte061799.h
tml
Week 4
Tuesday
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Wednesday
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Thursday
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Vocabulary Review (Spend about 5-10 minutes on review)-Have students write 5 to 7 sentences using vocabulary words
from journal. Each sentence should include at least one
vocabulary word.
Assign students vocabulary to look up in dictionary and
record definition in journal for chapter 8: vaguely (53);
gratified (53); unremitting (53)
Read chapter 8 out loud
Teach a short lesson on verbs--provide students with this
definition and some examples-A verb shows action (action
verbs--hop, run), links subjects and nouns (linking verbs--is,
are, were), or shows a state of being (helping verbs--will)-refer to **Refer to activity
http://www.abcteach.com/grammar/verbs..htm
Assign students vocabulary to look up in dictionary and
record definition in journal for chapter 9: coxa (55);
trachanter (55); femur (55); patella (55); tibia (55); metatarsus
(55); tarsus (55); spinnerets (56); sedentary (60)
Read chapter 9 out loud
Activity to review verbs--On the board write down five
sentences from chapter 9--have students write the sentences
on paper and label the verbs in each sentence as action,
linking, and/or helping.
In journals have students reflect on the last part of question #
9 (Why does a spider need legs with seven sections? What
could you do if your legs had seven sections? How old do you
think Charlotte is? Explain your answers.)-- link below to find
question
http://www.teachnet.com/lesson/langarts/charlotte061799.ht
ml
Week 5
Tuesday
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Wednesday
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Thursday
Assign students vocabulary to look up in dictionary and record
definition in journal for chapter 10: gullible (67); crisis (68); scuttled
(72)
Assign students to read chapter 10 independently
Before assigning this activity--review cause/effect
** In journals
have students apply some cause and effect to why the egg exploded-have them change the scenario so the effect turns out differently
Assign students vocabulary to look up in dictionary and record
definition in journal for chapter 11: ordinary (80)
Discuss the meaning of a miracle in large group--Read chapter 11
out loud
After reading the chapter have students respond to the following
questions in their journals: Describe some of the reactions to the
writing in the web. How do you feel about Mrs. Zuckerman's
comment--"it seems to me your little off. It seems to me we have no
ordinary spider." Do you agree with her? Why do you think all the
attention is focused on Wilbur when its Charlotte that created the
web (miracle)? Explain your answer.
Vocabulary game (spend about 5-10 min. on game)--use site below to make
game reviewing vocabulary words from l journal thus far :
http://www.teachnet.com/lesson/langarts/general/vocab.html
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Assign students vocabulary to look up in dictionary and record
definition in journal for chapter 12: idiosyncrasy (86); sensational
(91); adjourned (91)
Read chapter 12 out loud--Discuss
Week 6
Tuesday
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Wednesday
Thursday
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Teach a short lesson on adverbs-provide students with
definition and example: an adverb describes a verb (it tells
how, when, or where the action happens)--Jim dribbled the
ball quickly down the court.--quickly is the adverb because it
describes how the ball was dribbled
Have students complete Activity Sheet on adverbs (See link
below for activity sheet)
http://www.abcteach.com/grammar/adverbs.htm
Assign students vocabulary to look up in dictionary and
record definition in journal for chapter 13: --aeronaut (103);
radiant (104)
Read Chapter 13 together.
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Assign students to write in the journals using the following
writing prompt: Mr. Zuckerman has his wife call the
reporter from the newspaper. Pretend you are the reporter.
Write an article for the newspaper about the web. Activity
to review adverbs--On the board write down five sentences
from chapter 13--have students write the sentences on paper
and circle the adverb
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Read Chapter 14 together.Have the students respond to
yesterday's reading in journal using the following writing
prompt: Mrs. Arable is concerned that Fern believes the
animals are talking. Do you think Dr. Dorian believes
animals can talk? Why or why not. Give reasons from the
story that explain why you feel the way you do. Possibly
link personal experiences to your reasons.
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Assign students to begin looking up vocabulary in dictionary
and record definition in journal for chapter 15: monotonous
(113); reputation (114); audience (114); distinguish (115);
inconvenient (116); versatile (116)
Week 7
Tuesday
Wednesday
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Review the definition of an adjective--brainstorm some examples-assign students to work on Activity Sheet (See link for activity)
http://www.abcteach.com/ebwhite/adjectives.htm
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Begin reading Chapter 15 out loud
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Finish reading Chapter 15 out loud
Have student respond to the last part of question #15 in journal: Are
you versatile? How? Can you think of someone else who is? When
Wilbur says that he realized that friendship is one of the most
satisfying things in the world what did he mean? (link below to find
question)
http://www.teachnet.com/lesson/langarts/charlotte061799.html
Have students work on friendship form (See link below for form)
http://www.abcteach.com/ebwhite/friendship.htm
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Thursday
Finish friendship form from Wednesday
Assign students to begin looking up vocabulary in dictionary and
record definition in journal for chapter 16: smudge (120); cautiously
(121); delicious (122); paradise (122); particles (123); veritable (123);
fragments (123); loot (123); cargo (124); struggle (124); bewitched (125);
pummeled (125); fantastic (126)
Read chapter 16 out loud
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Week 8
Tuesday
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Wednesday
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Thursday
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In response to yesterday's reading write about a trip your family
has taken in journal. How was it like or different from the family's
trip to the fair in chapter 16
Assign students to look up vocabulary in dictionary and record
definition in journal for chapter 17: enormous (130/134); personality
(135); interview (135)
Read chapter 17 together
Discuss the word interview--For what reasons would we interview
somebody--how was the word interview used in this chapter?
In journals have them write up questions to interview the person
they read with--then have them ask that person their questions to
record answers in journal
Review vocabulary--have students write 5-7 sentences using at least
one vocabulary word from journals in sentence--(cannot be words
already used in previous sentences)
Assign students to look up vocabulary in dictionary and record
definition in journal for chapter 18: humble (140); masterpiece (143)
Begin reading chapter 18 out loud
Week 9
Tuesday
Finish reading chapter 18
Review the parts of speech--Pick a sentence from chapter 18 and
have students label the nouns, pronouns, verbs, adjectives, and
adverbs in sentence--do a practice as a large group before individual
practice
Assign students to look up vocabulary in dictionary and record
definition in journal for chapter 19: magnus opus (144); languishing
(146); carousing (148); indigestion (148); confetti (151)
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Wednesday
Finish looking up vocabulary for chapter 19
Read chapter 19 out loud--Discuss the following--refer to
question #19 found on link
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http://www.teachnet.com/lesson/langarts/charlotte061799.html
Thursday
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What do you think is happening to Charlotte in this chapter?
Think about her responses to Wilbur--"I just don't have any pep
anymore:" "I won't ever see my children;"--Discuss
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Write a response in journal describing how you feel after
reading and discussing chapter 19; How do you think Wilbur
feels?
Assign students to look up vocabulary in dictionary and
record definition in journal for chapter 20: pompous (155);
extraordinary (155); courage (157); distinguished (157); unique
(157); valuable (157); appreciation (158); magnificent (158);
analysis (157); complimentary (159); revived (159)
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Week 10
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
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Read chapter 20 out loud--discuss events as you read
Have students complete the character form report (See web link
http://www.abcteach.com/ebwhite/favchar.htm for report)
 Vocabulary game (spend about 5-10 min. on game)--use site below to
make game--reviewing vocabulary words from journal thus far :
http://www.teachnet.com/lesson/langarts/general/vocab.html
 Assign students to look up vocabulary in dictionary and record
definitions in journal for chapter 21: ceremony (163); tremendous
(164); generous (165); sentiments (165); anxious (165); ridiculous (165);
panic (166); desperation (167); imitating (167); solemn (168); extreme
(170)
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Read chapter 21 out loud
In journals write a response for the following writing prompt:
Describe Wilbur's feelings in this chapter. Do you feel the same
way he feels? Why or why not.
Week 11
Tuesday
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Wednesday
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Thursday
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Assign students to look up vocabulary in dictionary and record
definitions in journal for chapter 22: thermometer (174); precious
(177); frantic (179); daintily (182); hallowed (182); brilliant (182);
pledge (182); garrulous (183)
Read chapter 22 out loud
Finish reading chapter 22 out loud
In journals respond to the following: What makes a good friend-list some qualities of a good friend. Write a story that shows real
friendship. You may relate to events in book or own experiences.
Review vocabulary--have students write 5-7 sentences using at least
one vocabulary word from journals in sentence--(cannot be words
already used in previous sentences)
Link to activity for students to complete
http://www.abcteach.com/ebwhite/emotions.htm
Link to story grammar activity for students to complete
http://www.abcteach.com/ebwhite/storygram.htm