Lower KS2 Charlotte's Web

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Delphia Ramsey
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Lower KS2 Charlotte's Web Charlotte s Web by E. B. White Facts about the author E.B. White was born in 1899 in New York. He attended Cornell University and graduated in 1921.

1 Lower KS2 Charlotte's Web Charlotte s Web by E. B. White Facts about the author E.B. White was born in 1899 in New York. He attended Cornell University and graduated in After some years trying different jobs, he took a job at New Yorker magazine. During his time at the New Yorker, he wrote satirical sketches, poems, and essays. In 1938 he moved to a farm in Maine where he kept animals. Some of the creatures on the farm influenced his writing and crept into his stories. He was awarded, in 1970, the Laura Ingalls Wilder Medal, an award which is only given every five years that recognises lasting contribution to literature for children.' E.B White died in About the book A classic book which, no matter how many times my child and I read it, does not fail to make us cry. If you haven't ever read this charming tale, then it is a must! It is the story of a young girl, Fern, who saves Wilbur, the runt of a litter of pigs, from a fate that so often happens to pigs! A pig, who then goes on to live on a farm where he meets Charlotte, a kindly spider. It is a moving story that follows the growing friendship between a spider and a pig. Suggested ideas for book discussion It is not intended that you pose all of the questions as you move through each chapter of the book as this would restrict the quality of the discussion. The questions cover a range of question types, encouraging the children to think deeply about the text. At all stages encourage the children to make contributions ones which can be developed and shaped. Avoid asking the children closed questions as this limits the opportunity to think.

2 Before Reading Blank out the title and show the children the front cover What do you think is the title of this book? Who will the story appeal to? What sort of story do you think it is? Who do you think the book is aimed at? Why do you think that? Is there anything that puzzles you about the book? Is there anything you like/dislike? What do you think the story is going to be about? Who do you think the story is going to be about? Where do you think the story will be set? Write a question that you want to be answered about the story. During reading Chapter 1 Why do you think Papa needs an axe? What does the word runt mean? Would another word fit in the sentence? Why did Fern s mother ask Fern to control herself? Why did Fern feel that her father killing the pig was an injustice? Why do you think that Fern s father agreed to let her raise the runt? What do we learn about Avery? What kind of person is he? Collect your evidence from the text. What is your first impression of Fern? Chapter 2 What do you now know about Fern? Use evidence from the text to support your answer. Why do you think Fern s mother complained about the pig in the kitchen? How was Wilbur saved? Why do you think Uncle Homer (Mr. Zuckerman) agreed to keep Wilbur? Chapter 3 Why did the animals on the farm trust Fern? How did Wilbur feel about Zuckerman s barn? What did the goose tell Wilbur to do? Why do you think Wilbur listened to the goose? Do you think that Wilbur was really trying to escape? Why did Wilbur stand and cry? Have you ever not known what to do? How did it make you feel? What do we learn about the goose in chapter 3? Design a wanted advert Friend for Wilbur - What kind of friend do you think he is looking for? Why is Fern not enough? Chapter 4 Why do you think the author lists Wilbur s daily activities against set times? What effect does this have? What do we know about how Wilbur is feeling? Why do you think Fern didn t visit Wilbur? Who do you think the voice belongs to? Chapter 5 What is meant by Wilbur s stomach was empty, but his mind was full? Why does Wilbur feel sorry for the fly? How does Wilbur initially feel about Charlotte?

3 What are your first impressions of Charlotte? Why? Summarise in 5 sentences what has happened so far in Charlotte s Web. What do you think is going to happen next? What question would you like to ask Charlotte? Why did the author choose the words miserable inheritance. to describe Charlotte s life? Why do you think Wilbur thought friendship was a gamble? What is it like finding a friend? Have you ever experienced similar feelings to Wilbur? Chapter 6 What is meant by summer days on the farm are happiest and fairest? What is your impression of the goose after reading chapter 6? What is your impression of Templeton? Chapter 7 Before reading the chapter Why do you think the title of the chapter is Bad News? What do you think is going to happen? What do you now know about Charlotte? What is the relationship like between Charlotte and Wilbur? How do you know? What question would you like to find the answer to? Chapter 8 Why do you think Mrs. Arable looked at Fern with a queer, worried, look? What is your impression of Mrs. Arable? Why is Mr. Arable not worried? Chapter 9 Do you think Charlotte is poking fun at Wilbur when she asks him to show her how to spin a web? Why? Why do you think Charlotte lets Wilbur try to spin a web even though she knows he can t? Why do you think Fern s mind was full of everything she had seen and heard? Has the relationship between Fern and Wilbur changed? How do you know? Chapter 10 Why didn t Charlotte have much time? Why did Wilbur leave noodle and milk for Templeton? How do you think Charlotte is going to save Wilbur? In 10 sentences summarise what has happened up to the end of chapter 10. Chapter 11 Before reading Why do you think the title of this chapter is The Miracle? What images do the similes on page 102 create in your head? Why do you think Lurvy felt weak when he saw the words on the web? How did Mr. Zuckerman feel when he saw the words on the web? What is a miracle? Was it a miracle the words on the web? Why do you think that the minister didn t want Mr. Zuckerman to tell anyone? What is meant by Fern is full of notions? Why do you think people came from miles around to see the pig? Would you travel to see the pig? Who do you think is most responsible for persuading people that the pig is special? How do you know? Chapter 12 Do you agree with Charlotte s statement People believe anything they see in print? Why? Why is Wilbur worried about the new word that Charlotte wants to spin in the web?

4 What word wouldn t you want to be used to describe you? Why? Write two questions that you want to find the answers to. Chapter 13 Before reading - What do you think is going to happen in the next chapter? Why? Why do you think the author chose to use imperative verbs in the paragraph describing the spinning of the web? What was the impact of the spinning of the word terrific? Do you think words are truly powerful? What does it mean to be famous? Is Mr. Zuckerman s pig famous? Why does Mr. Zuckerman want to take Wilbur to the County Fair? What do you think it means I m in this pretty deep now- I might as well go the limit? Why do you think the author only let us know that Fern is present when we read the last sentence of the chapter? Chapter 14 Why does Mrs. Arable visit Dr. Dorian? Does Dr. Dorian give Mrs. Arable the response she expected? What advice does Dr. Dorian give Mrs. Arable? What do you now know about Mrs. Arable? Chapter 15 Why do you think Wilbur is still worrying? What does Wilbur think he needs to do at the fair? Do you think that Charlotte s worries and Wilbur s worries are the same? Why do you think Wilbur wanted Charlotte at the fair? Chapter 16 Why do you think none of the characters, except Mr. Zuckerman, were dreaming about Wilbur? Why do you think Mrs. Zuckerman felt it was important to bath Wilbur (she hadn t bothered with Wilbur before)? Why did Templeton change his mind about going to the fair? Discuss The more times you say a word, the more you believe it. What do you think will happen at the fair? Chapter 17 What is your impression of Fern now? How has Fern changed? Why is Mrs. Able worrying? Why is Charlotte worried about the pig in the next pen? What do you think is wrong with Charlotte? Chapter 18 Why do you think Charlotte says I shall be writing tonight for the last time!? Why doesn t Fern spend any time with Wilbur? Chapter 19 The fourth word Charlotte spins in the web is humble is this a good word to describe Wilbur at this point in the story? What is your impression of Fern now? How is she different? Chapter 20 Before reading why do you think the title of this chapter is The Hour of Triumph? Why did Templeton bite Wilbur s tail? Was it the right thing to do?

5 Chapter 21 Why is Wilbur s future now assured? What is your impression of Charlotte/ Wilbur now and their relationship? Why do you think Charlotte helped Wilbur? Why does Wilbur need to assert his authority? How does it make you feel that no one was with Charlotte when she died? Did Wilbur do the right thing only saving the egg sac? Chapter 22 Why did Wilbur now know that Mr. Zuckerman would always keep him? Why do you think that Fern only thinks about Ferris wheels? Why do you think the egg sac is so important to Wilbur? Was the advice Dr. Dorian gave Mrs. Arable correct?

Q: Why did Farmer Bruckheimer change his mind about selling the pig to his neighbor, Digby?

Q: Why did Farmer Bruckheimer change his mind about selling the pig to his neighbor, Digby? Study Guide: Spun Spun Synopsis: Farmer Bruckheimer s pig is having a litter of piglets when he notices a runt. His daughter Gilley wants to keep the runt as a pet and raise it herself. Reluctantly the