I remember it was either second or third grade when my teacher read Charlotte's Web for the class read aloud. I instantly fell in love with Wilbur. His wide range of emotions made us all laugh, and also made some of us cry. As a class, the teacher included, we were all teary-eyed when Charlotte died. There were definitely feelings of attachment to the characters, even Templeton!
As a reader, now, as well as then, I enjoyed stories that had characters that showed a lot of emotion, had a solid story line and a definite lesson to be learned.
Becky,
ReplyDeleteThat is such a fantastic text. I can remember how important this was when I was a young child in school. Have you been able to use this in your classroom? How has the experience been for you if you have had the chance to teach it?
I use this as my first read aloud each year. It teaches a wide array from academics(I can tie in ELA and Social/Global Studies standards)as well as the social/emotional aspects.
DeleteFor our final project, we may be making our own units. I would love to make a whole unit from this book!
My third grade teacher read "Charlie and Chocolate Factory" (it was rather new!) aloud and it was my favorite part of the day. We had to sit in our desks while she read but it didn't matter we just wanted to hear more of the story. We too became so attached to the characters and the story that we wanted her to keep reading. It was sad when the book ended because we wanted more and more.
ReplyDeleteThere is a sequel you know...Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator!
DeleteI loved Charlie and the Chocolate Factory too! Like Charlotte's Web, it was a story that was read aloud to me by my mom, rather than in school, but I still remember being snuggled in my bed, imagining everything that was going on. I was so excited to rent the movie afterwards (and again, and again, and again)!
DeleteI have always loved Charlotte's Web! I don't remember reading it in school, but I do remember my mom reading it to my brother and me when we were pretty young. I can imagine how effective it must be for teaching so many things (theme, character traits/motivations, connections, and so many more).
ReplyDeleteI remember both Charlotte's Web and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory being read to us in school (or maybe we read them). It's funny to think that some of these books are still read aloud to kids today!
ReplyDeleteI still use both!
ReplyDeleteBecky-I too remember having the story Charlotte's Web read aloud to me in school, although I think it was the librarian who read it to us and not my teacher, if my memory is correct. I still to this day think about Charlotte when I see a web, and refer to her. I think I will read this book to my son, it has been forever since I read it.
ReplyDeleteMy second grade teacher, Ms. Williams, loved E.B. White. She read all of them to us: Charlotte's Web, Stuart Little, and Trumpet of the Swan. I remember breaks during standardized testing where we would lie down under our desks and eat popcorn while she read.
ReplyDelete