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Acrylic Writing Boards are a Game-Changer for Novel Studies
Before diving into the activities, let’s talk about why these acrylic boards deserve a permanent spot in your learning toolkit:
- Durable & Reusable: Wipe-clean surfaces make them perfect for daily use. The best markers to use are dry erase & chalk markers.
- Tactile & Engaging: Great for kinesthetic learners who thrive on hands-on activities.
- Multi-Age Friendly: From letter tracing to essay writing, the possibilities grow with your learners.
- Theme-Based Learning: Tie perfectly into Charlotte’s Web with characters like Wilbur and Charlotte represented in board form.
Shop the Charlotte’s Web themed acrylic boards here!
Activities by Age Group Using Acrylic Writing Boards
🐣 For Early Learners (Pre-K – 1st Grade)
Young children learn best when they can move, touch, and explore—and these acrylic writing boards are the perfect combo of tactile learning and thematic fun. Here’s how to bring Charlotte’s Web to life for your littlest learners:
Letter Tracing on Animal Shapes
Use a dry-erase marker to trace letters related to each animal:
- “P is for Pig” on the pig board
- “S is for Spider” on the spider board
- “H is for Horse” on the horse board
This reinforces phonics, vocabulary, and letter formation.
Simple Sentence Starters
Write sentence prompts like “The pig is…” or “I see a…” or “The spider can…” on the boards and let students complete them orally or in writing. Great for building early literacy and confidence in writing.
Animal Sounds & Movement Game
Hold up a board (e.g., the goose), and students make the animal sound or move like it. It’s a fun, active way to tie in gross motor skills with literacy!
Color Match & Draw
Match each animal to a crayon color. Kids can then draw or color a paper version of the animal after practicing writing on the board.
Sensory Play Ideas
Adding sensory play not only makes your activities more engaging—it helps kids strengthen fine motor skills, build vocabulary, and explore with multiple senses. Try these:
Farm-Themed Sensory Bin + Writing Board Station
Create a sensory bin using:
- Dried corn, oats, hay, or beans
- Letter beads or laminated words from Charlotte’s Web
Place a few writing boards nearby. Kids can find a word or animal in the bin, then trace the matching letter or word on the correct board. Example: Find a pig figurine → Trace “P” on the pig board.
Spider Web Sensory Station
Set up a bin with:
- Cotton balls or shredded paper “webs”
- Plastic spiders
- Alphabet tiles
Kids dig out a tile, then trace that letter on the spider board or web-shaped board. You can even write a simple sight word on the spider board for them to match in the bin!
Sand or Salt Tray + Tracing Boards
Set out a small tray of kinetic sand, salt, or rice. Let students:
- Practice writing letters with their finger in the tray
- Then trace the same letter on the matching board (e.g., “W” for web)
This repetition in multiple textures reinforces learning while keeping little hands busy.
Water Play + Writing Practice
Use water brushes or sponge pens to “paint” letters or words on the boards for a mess-free alternative to markers. You can also use these with water beads or mini sponges shaped like animals for extra fun!
📚 For Elementary Students (Grades 2–5)
At this age, kids are ready to dive deeper into character development, vocabulary, and storytelling elements. These activities not only align perfectly with Charlotte’s Web, but also give your acrylic writing boards a starring role in literacy centers, group discussions, and independent work.
Character Traits on the Writing Boards
Turn each board into a character study station:
- Pig 🐖 = Wilbur – Kind, loyal, naïve
- Spider 🕷️ = Charlotte – Clever, nurturing, brave
- Goose 🦆 = The talkative goose – Repetitive, lively, maternal
- Mouse 🐭 = Templeton – Selfish, sneaky, helpful (when it suits him)
How to Use:
Give students dry-erase markers and have them write:
- 3 adjectives describing the character
- A quote or phrase they said in the story
- How the character changes from beginning to end
Vocabulary Builder Activity
Make vocabulary practice visual and hands-on! Choose important words from the novel like:
- Radiant
- Terrific
- Salutations
- Humble
- Wilting
- Lurched
How to Use:
- Write one word per board.
- Students trace the word, then use it in a sentence.
- Optional: Draw a picture that illustrates the word’s meaning on a separate sheet.
🎯 Bonus Idea: Turn it into a “Guess the Word” Game by writing definitions or clues on the board and letting students guess the word.
“Charlotte’s Web” Web of Connections
Nothing brings themes and character relationships to life like a good web map—and you’ve got the perfect prop for it: your spiderweb-shaped acrylic board!
How to Use:
- Write “Charlotte” in the center.
- Have students connect her to other characters with dry-erase lines.
- In each section of the web, write:
- How that character is connected to her
- A specific event they share
- A word that represents their relationship (e.g., “trust,” “loyalty”)
This is perfect for:
- Teaching cause and effect
- Exploring theme
- Visualizing conflict and resolution
📌 Extension: After mapping on the web board, students can write a paragraph summarizing the connections they created.
🧠 For Middle School Students (Grades 6–8)
Theme Exploration Writing Prompts
Use the boards as a springboard for deeper writing prompts like:
- “How does Charlotte show courage?”
- “What does the barn represent in the story?”
Students can brainstorm ideas on the boards before transferring them to a notebook or digital document.
Quote Reflection Boards
Write iconic quotes (like “Some Pig!”) on the board and ask students to interpret the meaning or connect it to a theme in the story.
Persuasive Writing Game
Give students a board with a character on it and ask them to write a short persuasive argument from that character’s perspective.
Mini Debates Using Character Boards
Students pick a character board and defend their actions or beliefs in a mini debate. This is a fun way to explore point of view!
✨ Beyond the Book: Year-Round Uses for Acrylic Writing Boards
💡 Literacy Centers
- Rotate the boards weekly for different writing prompts.
- Pair them with seasonal books or poetry activities.
- Create story starters for creative writing.
🎨 Arts & Crafts
- Use them as templates for painting or coloring on paper.
- Trace shapes with chalk markers or create animal masks.
🧠 Sensory Bin Labels
- Use them as fun “labels” for themed sensory bins—add the duck in a water bin or spider in a Halloween sensory setup!
🏡 Homeschool Morning Baskets
- Include one board each day with a simple writing task or drawing activity.
- Great for rotating themed units or animal studies.
🧺 Classroom Decor & Displays
- Use them as visual aides during storytime.
- Create a rotating “character of the week” wall!
FAQs: All About Acrylic Writing Boards
Are these boards safe for little ones?
Absolutely! They’re made from durable, non-toxic acrylic and safe to use with dry-erase or chalk markers.
How do you clean the boards?
Just wipe them with a soft cloth and a little water or a whiteboard cleaner. Good as new!
Can I use these with books besides Charlotte’s Web?
Totally! These animal-themed boards are flexible for use with tons of books, animal units, or free writing prompts.
The beauty of these acrylic writing boards is in their simplicity and versatility. Whether you’re doing a deep dive into Charlotte’s Web, working with early learners, or looking for reusable classroom tools, these boards open up a world of interactive possibilities.
📦 Ready to bring this magic to your classroom or homeschool?
👉🏻 Browse all of our novel study bundles and writing boards here.
🍑 Looking for more novel study bundle ideas? Try James & The Giant Peach!
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