The live-action film about "Charlotte's Web" opens on Friday.  Tomorrow
teachers and students throughout the world will attempt to break the
Guinness world record for "most people reading aloud simultaneously in
multiple locations" as they read passages from E.B. White's beloved
book.  This web site will provide helpful background for students who
want to know more about "Charlotte's Web."  
http://www.awesomestories.com/movies/charlottes_web/charlottes_web_ch1.htm
 With it, they can learn about spiders like Charlotte (how they spin
their webs, eat, lay eggs and balloon); "meet" E.B. White (as a young
boy and a grown man); see where White lived and wrote his stories; view
White's barn (which was the model for Zuckerman's farm); hear White (who
died in 1985) read from the first part of his book; and learn about pigs
(like Wilbur) and rats (like Templeton).  Also included are links to
lesson plans, scientific links for older students and two of the film's
trailers.

The web site http://www.awesomestories.com/ is free for all educators,
schools and libraries.  Simply request an academic membership with this
sign-up form.  http://www.awesomestories.com/group_signup.php  

Carole Bos
Dean's Advisory Board
Grand Valley State University
bosc at gvsu.edu