*Some links are affiliate links, see disclosure below^
Fall life here on our little homestead can get quite busy. It is time to finish canning, preparing animals for the winter, and it is state fair time! The summer garden finishes up, and we plant our fall gardens. For us, the state fair means entering projects, showing turkeys, and multiple trips to our state capital for the festivities. (It also means enjoying lots of yummy foods, but that is for a different post).
Why Charlotte’s Web?
As I was thinking about balancing all of that with our school work this year, I decided that it would be fun to do a literature study that went along with our animals and the fair. What better book than Charlotte’s Web?
Charlotte’s Web is a great independent read for third or fourth grade, but I wanted to use it as a read-aloud with my second grader and my three-year-old. My second grader showed pigs at our local livestock show for a couple of years, so I knew he would connect with the story.
We started with reading Charlotte’s Web and then adding in some fun activities to make for a great study.
Charlotte’s Web Art
We always enjoy adding art to our studies, and this is no exception. Nana, from you, are an Artist, has some incredible lessons that go with Charlotte’s Web. The pig, farm, and even spider lessons all go so well with the book. Your student can do them independently or take what they learned from the lesson and put them all together into a giant farm painting.
You could also make a string art spider web. This would be a fun project for older children that can handle a hammer and nails.
Charlotte’s Web Snacks
We love having snacks that go along with our reading. For Charlotte’s Web, you could do fair foods like funnel cake or cotton candy. You could also make spider-themed snacks like spiders made from pretzels and peanut butter balls. Root beer could also be a fun treat.
In addition to those ideas, I found some great ideas over at Adventures in a Messy Life, and you could make a Charlotte’s-Web-themed dinner.
Charlotte’s Web Field Trips and Activities
There are some great field trip opportunities with Charlotte’s Web. Many farms and agritourist businesses are happy to have students come get hands-on experience with animals. Since we raise many of our animals, our field trip was to the North Carolina State Fair.
When you think of fairs, you might think of rides and games. While there are plenty of those, the fair is so much more than that. There are animals to see, cows to milk, racing pigs, livestock shows, exhibits of canned goods and other homemade crafts, and so much more. We also never turn down the chance for maple cotton candy and funnel cake!
For activities closer to home, you can go outside and search for spider webs. It is a great chance to learn more about spiders and observe them in nature. You could also use a geoboard and rubber bands to make a spider web.
Charlotte’s Web Movie
The first movie that my older two children saw in the movie theater was Charlotte’s Web. Our local theater shows older movies for a significantly reduced price during the summer. We went and saw Charlotte’s Web, and they loved it. Since I won’t find it at the theater this time, I am planning a fun movie night at home when we finish the book. We will make some of the yummy Charlotte’s Web snacks, pop some popcorn, and even have some root beer.
Then settle in together on the couch to watch Charlotte’s Web. While I will be focusing on my younger children, I expect that even my teens will want to join in this family movie night.
Other Farm Study Resources
If your child loves Charlotte’s Web or Farms, these resources can help you take the study a little further. I would love to have you share your favorite ideas or resources in the comments. I hope you enjoy this Charlotte’s Web Unit Study.
Fabulous Farm Themed Party Ideas
Homesteading Homeschool: Our 4H Pig
Resource Library and Affiliate Disclosure
When you sign up for the Schoolin’ Swag free resource library you will get a link and password to the library, we are adding to the library each month with new items. You will also get a bi-weekly newsletter email to keep you up to date on what we have going on.
This post may contain affiliate or referral links, including Amazon affiliate links. As always I will never recommend a product that I don’t believe in and you will never be charged more for purchasing through our links. It does help pay for the costs associated with the blog
The Schoolin' Swag Blog 