Because of Winn Dixie by Kate DiCamillo: Book Club and Novel Study
What's included
6 live meetings
4 hrs 30 mins in-class hoursHomework
1 hour per week. Between live classes, students will be given reading assignments from the shared text of this course and optional written response activities.Class Experience
US Grade 2 - 4
OVERVIEW: This Book Club is an excellent supplement to a student's academic learning. Throughout our discussions, we will introduce and apply many Grade 3 and Grade 4 reading strategies (see "Learning Goals" below). In this 6 session long book club, students will meet new characters through reading a shared text and participating in collaborative discussions. We will focus on a variety of reading comprehension strategies, discussions and opportunities to write about their reading through weekly journal entries. Discussions will vary based on student participation but will be guided by a set of questions and close reading in the text. During each session, students will be introduced to a reading comprehension skill/strategy embedded throughout the discussions. SCHEDULE OF READING COMPREHENSION SKILLS & STRATEGIES: Week One - Class One: Introductions, Character Traits and Supporting Evidence Week One - Class Two: Patterns of Behavior, Predicting Week Two - Class Three: Story Elements (Problem, Rising Actions), Secondary Characters Week Two - Class Four: Inferring, Text to Self Connections Week Three - Class Five: Story Elements (Turning Point, Falling Actions, Resolution), Character Change Week Three - Class Six: Central Message/Lesson, Theme/Symbols LEARNING METHODS: 1. Independent and Shared Reading - Students will be assigned sections of reading to complete between live class discussions. These independent reading assignments will allow students to form their own independent thoughts and ideas and be prepared to use our class time for discussion. 2. Journal Entries (Optional Written Responses) - Students can respond to a written response prompt/activity provided each class that supports the independent reading between sessions. Written responses will allow students to reflect on their reading, provide accountability between live sessions, and provide students with discussion ideas when participating during our live sessions. 3. "Book Club" Live Discussions - During these live classroom discussions, or "Book Club" meetings, we will discuss and share the journal questions students completed between sessions, as well as additional discussion prompts. Students will have the opportunity to share their own ideas and learn from the ideas of their classmates. Additionally, we will focus on one/two close reading section(s) per live class that allows students to practice a new reading comprehension strategy, to prompt discussion or to study the language of the text to deepen comprehension. PLEASE NOTE: Due to the nature of this class being discussion based, sections must meet the minimum required learners to proceed as scheduled. In the event a section has not met the required minimum, I will postpone the start date by one week to allow for additional learners. Any learners unable to continue due to new dates will be offered a full refund at that time. Should a section not fill in time to proceed, the section will be cancelled with at least 48 hours notice. All impacted learners will receive a discounted rate for a future section for the inconvenience.
Learning Goals
1. Students will be able to make text-to-self connections by considering problems the character faces, reactions and responses the character has to problems and solutions the character finds.
2. Students will be able to participate in peer discussions using examples from the text to support their ideas and reasoning.
3. Students will be able to identify a character using descriptive traits by noticing the way they talk, act, think and feel.
4. Students will be able to make strong predictions about how a character will react to a new situation by considering their past patterns of behavior.
5. Students will be able to identify the elements of a fictional story as they follow along a character's journey including; problem, rising actions, turning point, falling actions and resolution.
6. Students will be able to identify the central message/lesson of a text by asking themselves, "What does my character know now that they did not before?" and "What do I know now that I did not before?"
7. Students will be able to identify the theme of a text by identifying the central message/lesson, symbolism and author's purpose.
Other Details
Parental Guidance
This course will be using the shared text, "Because of Winn Dixie" by Kate DiCamillo. From my experience using this text in my classroom, the material can be sensitive to some learners. Please review the themes mentioned in this text (for example, Opal the main character's mother left when she was young).
Supply List
1. A copy (paper or digital) of "Because of Winn Dixie" by Kate DiCamillo ($5-$7, available on Amazon) - REQUIRED 2. A notebook/journal or device with typing access to record written responses
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Teacher expertise and credentials
I am a certified teacher for grades K-6. I received both my Bachelor's in Elementary Education and my Master's in Curriculum & Instruction from the University of Connecticut's Neag School of Education. I have taught Third Grade for 6 years and have direct experience working with this text as a novel study across a semester both in person and virtually.
Reviews
Live Group Class
$27
weekly or $79 for 6 classes2x per week, 3 weeks
45 min
Completed by 20 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 7-10
4-8 learners per class