A copy of "Charlotte's Web" by EB White
"A Bear Called Paddington" by Michael Bond
A notebook or folder to keep assignments and worksheets
Pen or pencil and paper for jotting notes or writing important thoughts
A writing journal for writing practice and brainstorming
Occasional simple craft materials (colored pencils, markers, etc) These will be noted in class and in the classroom the week before they are needed.

All literature is chosen from a generally recognized collection of age-appropriate, often award-winning books. Parents are encouraged to research any unfamiliar books to be sure they are appropriate for their learner. 

Here is a synopsis for the two books in this unit:
Charlotte's Web: 
"Charlotte's spiderweb tells of her feelings for a little pig named Wilbur, who simply wants a friend. They also express the love of a girl named Fern, who saved Wilbur's life when he was born the runt of his litter. E. B. White's Newbery Honor Book is a tender novel of friendship, love, life, and death that will continue to be enjoyed by generations to come. This beloved book by E. B. White is a classic of children's literature that is 'just about perfect'! "
NOTE: The premise of the book is a friendship that develops between a spider and a pig on a farm. The plot addresses life and death, and includes the death of the spider at the end. The death is treated with gentleness, and the author has included plenty of humor and heartwarming friendships to balance the book for child readers. 

A Bear Called Paddington:
"This is a wonderful story about the adventures and mishaps of a polite bear found abandoned at a London train and taken in by a British family. This beloved classic, originally published in 1958, comes out of an earlier tradition in children's literature in which stories were gently humorous and comforting.  
Mr. and Mrs. Brown first met Paddington, a most endearing bear from Darkest Peru on a railway platform in London. A sign hanging around his neck said, "Please look after this bear. Thank you" So that is just what they did.
From the very first night when he attempted his first bath and ended up nearly flooding the house, Paddington was seldom far from imminent disaster. Jonathan and Judy were delighted with this havoc and even Mr. and Mrs. Brown had to admit that life seemed to be more filled with adventure when there was a bear in the house." (Common Sense Media and Goodreads Reviews)