Charlotte's Web - Lesson 12: Language Analysis - PowerPoint

The twelfth lesson in the English teaching resources focuses on language analysis through the reading and discussion of chapters seventeen and eighteen of "Charlotte's Web". The objective is to deepen understanding of connotations within the text. Students are encouraged to analyse the plot and characters, delving into the nuances of language used by the author. A key term introduced in this lesson is 'connotation', which the students explore by examining specific words and phrases from the text to identify their associated meanings and the effects these have on the reader.

For example, the phrase "…hides a chilling secret" is used to illustrate how a writer can create a sense of mystery. Students are asked to zoom in on the word 'secret' and consider its associations, such as 'forbidden', 'personal', 'private', and 'dangerous'. Similarly, they perform a 'rainbow analysis' on the term "…biting cold", unpacking the writer's effect and the imagery evoked by the choice of words. The lesson also includes comprehension questions that encourage students to use evidence from the book to discuss the atmosphere created by E.B. White at the fair, the characters' perceptions of each other, and their feelings after the fair. The activity concludes with a peer review exercise where students swap work and provide feedback, highlighting achievements and areas for improvement.