Hillcrest Third Graders Reflect on Charlotte’s Web—Outdoors and in Cursive

Today, third-grade students at Hillcrest Academy brought their notebooks and pencils outside to reflect on Charlotte’s Web—one of the most enduring children’s novels in American literature. With the sun overhead and the grass beneath them, students quietly wrote their reflections in cursive, combining literature, handwriting, and outdoor learning in one meaningful experience.

While some students focused intently on writing clear summaries with neat, precise lettering, others explored the emotions in Charlotte’s actions or imagined what it might have felt like to be Fern, watching the world of the barn unfold with wonder. As students thought about Charlotte’s words or Wilbur’s fears, they weren’t just practicing cursive; they were thinking about truth, goodness, and the kind of people they want to be. The physical act of handwriting slowed them down and gave their thoughts weight. There’s something powerful about watching a student pause, choose their words carefully, and then commit them to the page with intention.

Activities like this help students grow in confidence and maturity. They build habits of attentiveness, curiosity, and thoughtfulness. They also remind us that good stories do more than entertain—they shape the way we see the world and our role in it.

These types of integrated lessons reflect Hillcrest’s commitment to a classical Christian education. We believe that students grow best when they're invited to think deeply, reflect personally, and engage their whole selves in the learning process. Reading Charlotte’s Web allows students to explore timeless themes like sacrifice, friendship, life, and death. Writing about the story—especially in their own words—helps them internalize those lessons.