~Welcome To The V Safari~

This page is created for my Charlotte’s Web lit group.  Here are some activities and links we will use while we are reading this book. 
Activity One: Setting
After looking at pictures of real barns, talking about things you’d find there, you will draw a picture of a barn.
Then you will write a descriptive paragraph about your drawing.
Barns

Activity Two: Character Poetry

Introduction

Fern loves Wilbur for many reasons. She appreciates all the animals in the barn for their unique qualities.
Using the Internet sites provided, investigate a pig and use the facts you found out to write a poem about that animal.
Use the poem below as a pattern for your pig poem

Giraffes

Giraffes

I like them.
Ask me why.

Because they hold their heads up high,
Because their necks stretch to the sky,
Because they’re quiet, calm and shy,
Because they run so fast they fly,
Because their eyes are velvet brown,
Because their coats are spotted tan,
Because they eat the tops of trees,
Because their legs have knobby knees.

Because.
Because.
Because. That’s why

I like giraffes.

pig pictures
farm life
farm tour
rhyme zone

Evaluation

This poem will be evaluated on the following criteria:

• the quality of your writing (attention to factual details about the animal)
• keeping the rhythm / cadence of the poem
• the use of correct grammar
• spelling
• neatness

Activity Three: Spider Debate
Introduction

Are spiders vicious creatures? They are portrayed that way in many stories. Today you will visit a site that shows you real spiders. You can decide for yourself if spiders are really vicious.

The Task

Explore why how spiders are viewed by different people, and how they survive in their environment. Use literature and Internet resources. Use modeled writing to create an opinion paragraph about why spiders are (are not) vicious. Be prepared to defend your position during the great spider debate.
The Process
Here are some questions to help you think about the spider debate.

Think about why spiders have a negative image. Why is the spider such an “easy” bad guy?

Read the part in Charlotte’s Web that describes Wilbur’s first encounter with Charlotte. How does Wilbur’s first impression of Charlotte change as she describes her eating habits. (Chapter 5)

Next we will visit an Internet site that describes how a spider’s body is specially designed for survival.

•  
  • spider information
    spiders

•  
  Now, create a paragraph that describes your position for the spider debate. Use one of these sentence starters as the main idea for your paragraph, then build the rest of the paragraph using details from your research.

  “I think spiders are vicious because…”

  “I think spiders are (not) vicious because…”

  Evaluation

  The paragraph will be evaluated on these points:

• Your opinion is clearly stated.
• You have at least two supporting examples.
• You use complete sentences.
• You use correct spelling and grammar.
• It is neat and easy to read.

Activity 4: Friendly Letter
Introduction

Mrs. Arable is concerned about Fern. She feels Fern spends too much time at the barn, and not enough time playing outside with her friends. Fern is perfectly happy to spend her summer watching the animals at Zuckerman’s farm. You will help the characters understand the other’s viewpoint.

Task  

You will write a friendly letter explaining (from Fern’s viewpoint) why she should be allowed to continue spending time in the barn.

Evaluation

Your letter must contain the following points
5 parts of a friendly letter
reasons that support Fern’s viewpoint
complete sentences
correct grammar and spelling
neat and easily read

Charlotte’s Bonus Material
who am I?
adjectives
text to self feelings
another quiz
venn diagram
interactive crossword
movie site