Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo

Title:  Because of Winn Dixie (DiCamillo, K. (2000). Because of Winn-Dixie. Cambridge, Mass.: Candlewick Press.)

Author:  Kate DiCamillo

Copyright 2000 Kate DiCamillo

Published by:  Scholastic Inc., New York

Reading level: Grades 3 – 5, Grade level Equivalent: 4.1, Lexile Measure^®: 610L, DRA: 40, Guided Reading: R, Type of Book: Chapter Book (http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/book/because-winn-dixie)

2001 Newbery Honor Book

Suggested Delivery:  Independent Reading or Read Aloud

Comforting, Motivational, Fundamental, Joyful, Enchanting

Electronic resources to support reading:

1.      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LbEeMnAep4

a.      This video should be used for an introduction or pre reading strategy to the text for the whole class.  It will give students a brief synapsis of the story and give them pictures of characters they will encounter throughout the story.  Videos can be extremely engaging for students and create the desire to read more and learn about the characters they view in the video.

2.      http://www.bookrags.com/studyguide-because-of-winn-dixie/

a.      This is a phenomenal website designed to give students a number of ways to increase comprehension throughout and following the reading of the text.  The students can gain informative facts about the author, Kate DiCamillo, and an overview of each chapter complete with questions for engagement, plot, character, theme, and setting analyses. 

Teaching Suggestions

1.      Vocabulary:

a.      Green thumb (pg 69)

b.      Pathological (pg 75)

c.      Ignorant (pg 91)

d.      Convince (pg 105)

e.      Melancholy (pg 121)

f.       Knuckle (pg 141)

2.      Strategies to increase comprehension:

a.      Before reading:  YouTube video above can be shown to introduce students to this heartfelt novel and create a desire to learn more about the characters.  Students can also write down a few words prior to reading that they might feel if they were to move to a new town and knew no one.  Students can be asked to share these with the class and talk about why it may be difficult to be the new student who moves into a new school and why it is important to offer assistance and be kind to new students in their own school.

b.      During reading:  Students can be asked to keep a journal during their read and write down one question they may have about the book’s characters or themes after each chapter.  These will be used later as discussion questions post reading.  In addition, some great questions can be found in the actual book on the last page for teachers to create worksheets to guide literature discussions for students throughout the read.  Some examples of these questions include: 

                                                    i.     “Opal’s dog is called Winn-Dixie.  Tell why Opal decides to give her dog that name.”

                                                   ii.     “As Opal gives her new dog a bath, she tells him they are a lot alike.  In what ways are Opal and her dog alike?”

                                                  iii.     “Opal wants to make Sweetie-Pie happy by coming up with a theme for Gloria’s party.  What theme might Opal choose and why?” (DiCamillo, K. (2000). Because of Winn-Dixie. Cambridge, Mass.: Candlewick Press).

c.      After reading:  Students could participate in a literature discussion with small groups of 4-5 students using their own chapter summaries and questions they may have about characters actions or possible themes.  There are also a few suggested activities on the last page of the book to increase post reading comprehension.  One example of an activity includes:

                                                    i.      “Opal wants to create a dog-care handbook for her class based on her experiences caring for Winn-Dixie.  What would the handbook say?  Create a handbook and make sure to include tips on feeding, grooming, and other important information” (DiCamillo, K. (2000). Because of Winn-Dixie. Cambridge, Mass.: Candlewick Press).

3.      Writing activities:  These activities are suggested by the book itself on the last page to increase students understanding of the book.

a.      “Write a list of ten qualities that describe who you are.  As models, use the lists describing Opal’s mother and Winn-Dixie.”

b.      “Imagine Miss Frannie, the librarian, has asked you to tell a story about something amazing that happened to you.  Think about something that’s happened in your life that would make a great story.  Then write your story and share it with the group.  Make sure your story has a beginning, a middle, and an end.” (DiCamillo, K. (2000). Because of Winn-Dixie. Cambridge, Mass.: Candlewick Press).