Launch:

1.  As a class watch "Charlotte's Web."  Discuss with students the theme of the movie.  Ask them to share what they liked best about the movie.

2.  Divide students into literature circle unit groups.  Pass out the books in each group. 

3.  Have students predict what they think their book(s) will be about.  Ask them predict how their book may be similar to Charlotte's Web.

4.  Bring students back together as a class before they actually begin reading their individual books.  Discuss with them the theme of animal fantasy and how it relates to "Charlotte's Web" and their individual books.