Book Club: Charlotte's Web

In this Book Club, learners will read and discuss the book, Charlotte's Web, by E.B. White.

Synopsis: When Fern convinces her father not to kill the runt pig of the litter, she names him Wilbur and raises him with a bottle. Soon Wilbur goes to live in her Uncle Homer Zuckerman's barn down the road, where she visits him every day. But when she's not there, Wilbur is lonely -- the sheep, cows, geese, and even the rats don't want to play and be his friend. Then he meets Charlotte, a gray spider whose web is in a corner of the barn door, and they become good friends. But soon after, they learn that Wilbur is to be slaughtered next Christmas to make ham and bacon. So Charlotte hatches a plan to make the Zuckermans want to keep Wilbur around forever.

*This is a reading for enjoyment class, though we will discuss literary elements. At the beginning of each chapter, learners will make predictions of what they think will happen. At the end of each chapter, we will review unfamiliar vocabulary words and have a discussion of what was read.

For this class, I will use the teacher read aloud method. Learners will read along silently as I read aloud. On occasion, students who would like to read aloud may do so.

Here are seven important benefits of reading aloud with children:
1. Develops stronger vocabulary. 
2. Builds connections between the spoken and written word. 
3. Provides enjoyment. 
4. Increases attention span. 
5. Strengthens cognition. 
6. Provides a safe way of exploring strong emotions.
7. Promotes bonding.
*source: readingeggs.com

If a student misses a class, I will send a message of the page numbers we covered in class so they can read on their own and stay caught up. 

Each class will have the same routine:
1. In the first class, we will establish main character, secondary characters, setting, point of view (first person/third person), plot, and conflicts. Of course, all these things can change with each chapter. 
2. Each subsequent class will start by reviewing anything important from the prior class, and discussing any pages students had to read on their own.
3. Before each chapter, learners will make predictions, based on the chapter title, what the chapter will be about.
4. At the end of each chapter, and sometimes during, we will review unknown vocabulary, figurative language, plot elements, and anything the learners want to discuss about it. They will also share their favorite part of the chapter and why.
5. At the end of the novel, we will discuss themes and morals.

EVERY student must have their own copy of the book to read along with me as I read aloud. 

The goal is to read 30 pages per class. Students will be responsible for reading any pages we didn't finish before the next class.

This will be a fun, stress-free class where we read great literature and have meaningful conversations.