Because of Winn Dixie - A Novel Study (Grade Level 3 - 6)
This six-week reading class focuses on using the novel Because of Winn Dixie to motivate an interest in reading and improve reading comprehension skills.
Dr. Harper, Ed.D.
Average rating:
4.6
Number of reviews:(361)
What's included
6 live meetings
5 hrs 30 mins in-class hoursHomework
1 hour per week. Any reading not completed in class must be completed outside of class.Assessment
Progress involves the completion of reading comprehension questions and vocabulary word study activities.Class Experience
Session 1 – Introduction/overview • The teacher provides students with a summary of the story and the author’s background information. • Based on the summary of the story and the author’s background, each student will make predictions based on the setting, characters, and plot of the story. The predictions will be recorded for future reference. • Next, the teacher reads aloud the first page of the novel and leads a discussion of the use of first-person voice. • After discussing first-person voice, the students will be directed in creating questions to guide their reading. The questions will be recorded on a chart to reference during reading. • When students complete their questions, the teacher will review the vocabulary flashcards provided to the students in the classroom and provide students with teacher-created reading comprehension questions for guiding their reading of chapters 1 – 5. • The students and the teacher will begin reading chapters 1 - 5 and reference guided reading questions and predictions as they read. • Any reading not completed in class will be completed outside of the classroom. Session 2 – Chapters 1 – 5 • Review/discuss chapters 1 – 5 by reviewing guided reading comprehension questions and vocabulary. • Next, students complete an independent assessment of their reading and a vocabulary matching activity. When completed, students and the teacher will check and discuss responses to assess individual understanding. • After the assessment and vocabulary activity, the students will write a brief summary of chapters 1 – 5 emphasizing the main ideas of each chapter. Students post summaries to the teacher in the classroom. Private individual feedback will be provided to each student by the teacher. • When the students complete their summaries of chapters 1 – 5, the teacher will guide the students in making predictions for chapters 6 – 10. Predictions will be recorded on a chart for future reference. • When the students complete their predictions, they will generate questions to guide their reading. The questions will be recorded for future reference. The teacher will also provide reading comprehension questions to guide students as they read. • Assignment: The students complete the reading of chapters 6 – 10 and use the vocabulary flashcards to practice new words. Session 3 – Chapters 6 – 10 • Review/discuss chapters 6-10. • Complete chapters 6-10 comprehension assessment and vocabulary activity. • Write a brief summary of chapters 6-10 and send it to the teacher. • Make predictions and create questions to guide the reading of chapters 11-15. The teacher provides reading comprehension questions. • Assignment: The students complete the reading of chapters 11 – 15 and use the vocabulary flashcards to practice new words. Session 4 – Chapters 11 – 15 • Review/discuss chapters 11-15. • Complete chapters 11-15 comprehension assessment and vocabulary activity. • Write a brief summary of chapters 11-15 and send it to the teacher. • Make predictions and create questions to guide the reading of chapters 16-20. The teacher provides reading comprehension questions. • Assignment: The students complete the reading of chapters 16 – 20 and use the vocabulary flashcards to practice new words. Session 5 – Chapters 16 – 20 • Review/discuss chapters 16-20. • Complete chapters 16-20 comprehension assessment and vocabulary activity. • Write a brief summary of chapters 16-20 and send it to the teacher. • Make predictions and create questions to guide the reading of chapters 21-26. The teacher provides reading comprehension questions. • Assignment: The students complete the reading of chapters 21 – 26 and use the vocabulary flashcards to practice new words. Session 6 – Chapters 21 – 26 • Review/discuss chapters 16-20. • Complete chapters 16-20 comprehension assessment and vocabulary activity. • Write a brief summary of chapters 16-20 and send it to the teacher. • Make predictions and create questions to guide the reading of chapters 21-26. The teacher provides reading comprehension questions. • Class evaluation – exit ticket.
Learning Goals
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Learning Goals
1. Before reading, the students will participate in prereading discussions directed at making predictions, becoming familiar with first-person point-of-view, and developing questions to guide their reading.
2. During reading, the students will apply the comprehension strategies and skills of making connections, summarizing, understanding characterizations, point-of-view, figurative language, and vocabulary development.
3. After reading, the students will demonstrate their reading comprehension by completing a short answer assessment and vocabulary activity.
Other Details
Parental Guidance
The main conflict in Because of Winn Dixie by Kate DiCamillo is Opal's abandonment by her mother. Opal and her father, who is a preacher, have moved to Naomi, Florida. It is in this small town that Opal learns to live with the loss of her mother with the help of Winn Dixie and other new friends her adopted dog helps her to meet. Kate DiCamillo's lovely, short novel is full of charming, quirky characters and beautiful life lessons. Winn-Dixie becomes Opal's true friend and her reason for being. He's afraid to be alone, and so is Opal, but now they have each other, and the goofy dog helps the little girl make new friends.
In chapter four of the novel, Opal asks her father to tell her ten things about her mama. One thing for each of the ten years of Opal's life. The ten things are: 1) Your mama was funny. She could make anybody laugh. 2) She had red hair and freckles. 3) She liked to plant things. 4) She could run fast. 5) She couldn't cook. 6) She loved to be told a story. 7) She knew all of the constellations, every planet in the nighttime sky. 8) She hated being a preacher's wife. 9) She drank beer, whiskey, and wine. Sometimes she couldn't stop drinking. 10) Your mama loved you very much. No other reference to the mother leaving or abandoning Opal is mentioned throughout the novel.
The characters in the novel include a librarian Miss Frannie Brock, Otis a pet store employee who had a prison record, Gloria Dump-- a woman who some of the children in Naomi referred to as a witch until Opal gets to know her, and a few children with personalities unique to children.
The book has won a number of prestigious awards, including a Newberry Honor Distinction in 2001. The New York Times bestseller was adapted into a movie in 2005. Although she has gone on to write a number of successful children's novels, Because of Winn-Dixie is arguably DiCamillo's most beloved work.
Supply List
1. Copy of the book, Because of Winn Dixie, by Kate DiCamillo.
2. Copies of vocabulary flashcards posted in the classroom.
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Joined December, 2018
4.6
361reviews
Teacher expertise and credentials
3 Teaching Certificates
California Teaching Certificate in English/Language Arts
California Teaching Certificate in Elementary Education
Texas Teaching Certificate in Elementary Education
Doctoral Degree in Education from University of Phoenix
Greetings OutSchool Parents and Students!
I am Dr. Debra Harper. My specialty areas of teaching are English language arts, beginning, intermediate, and secondary reading skills, beginning, intermediate, and secondary writing instruction, reading in the content areas, study skills, technology integration, history, and social studies. My teaching credentials include
• a bachelor’s degree in elementary education with a specialization in reading,
• a master’s degree in educational administration, and
• a doctorate in educational leadership and technology.
I have a reading specialist credential in the State of Texas and California. I also have a Language Development Specialist credential and an English Language Arts Specialist credential in the state of California.
I employ a constructivist approach to learning. In this constructivist approach, students rely on previous learning, teacher guidance, peer collaboration, and active learning strategies to create new learning. My teacher's role in this constructivist approach is to model and facilitate the direction of learning to maximize learning success for each student.
My educational philosophy is... 'learning is everything and everyone can learn!'. Each successful learning experience grows the confidence needed to maintain an interest in pursuing life-long successful learning adventures. As my favorite teacher, Coach John Wooden of the UCLA Bruins stated: “Success comes from knowing that you did your best to become the best that you are capable of becoming.”
Happy and successful learning adventures to all and I hope to meet each of you in class very soon! --Dr. Harper :)Reviews
Live Group Class
$90
for 6 classes1x per week, 6 weeks
55 min
Live video meetings
Ages: 8-13
3-9 learners per class
Financial Assistance
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