Because of Winn-Dixie
By Kate Dicamillo
Published by Candlewick Press
Copyright 2000

Accelerated Reader: 3.9

Suggested Delivery: Independent Reading

LOVING, HONEST, HEART-WARMING, AUTHENTIC, AFFECTIONATE

After causing chaos inside of a Winn-Dixie supermarket, this scruffy dog is found by a girl new to town and is saved from any sort of trouble that was headed his way.  Opal, who just moved to Florida with her preacher father, claims the dog as her own and names him after the store.  After much convincing, the preacher allows Opal to keep Winn-Dixie, who becomes a very closely-knit member of their family.  Winn-Dixie’s charm helps Opal become friends with everyone they encounter.  This includes Gloria Dump, the witch down the street, Franny Block, the librarian, Otis, the pet shop owner and other characters such as the Dewberry boys, Sweetie Pie Thomas and pinch faced Amanda Wilkinson.  Opal decides to throw a party to bring everyone together but all goes south when Winn-Dixie runs away in the thunderstorm.  When he is finally found, everyone realizes just exactly how much they love Winn-Dixie and his unkempt charm. 

Timeline Generator

Found at readthinkwrite.org, this timeline feature allows students to organize the main events within the text.  This will be helpful when trying to summarize the book, remember important actions and keeping events in order of occurrence.  Students will complete their timeline during reading. 

Because of Winn-Dixie In Depth

This extremely detailed site includes everything related to the novel including recipes for dog biscuits and egg salad sandwiches, related links to facts about Florida, Winn-Dixie grocery markets and informative dog breed sites.  Also, Kate Dicamillo’s own site, discussion questions and even a link to the feature film.  

VOCAB: Produce, Missionary, Sermon, Distracted, Constellation, Nudge, Insulted, Intended, Exception

TEACHING SUGGESTIONS:

-Use this book as an example for an anti-bullying campaign and how one shouldn’t “read a book by its cover”.

-Use this book to discuss pets student’s may have or had or wish to have.  Talk about how to care for pets and animal rights.   

-Use this book to further discuss family structures, relationships and issues.

Before: In small groups, have students play a matching game with vocabulary words that will be introduced while reading the book.  This game will consist of cards with the definition and the word and like a game of memory, students will take turns flipping over the cards trying to make a match.  This will expose students to words they may not know and give them hands on experience to better understand the meaning.  This will also benefit the students pre-reading the novel. 

During: While reading the novel, have students write a paragraph of their thoughts, similar experiences and feelings at the end of each chapter.  For homework, students will take home someone else’s journal and respond to what they have written. 

After: The preacher described Opal’s mother with ten enthralling facts which he used to remember her by.  Have students complete a poster with ten interesting facts about themselves.  This would be a great beginning of the year activity or can even be tied into social studies scope and sequence standards.  You could also prepare a picnic/party inside the classroom like Opal did at Gloria Dump’s and share their fun facts about themselves. 

Writing: There are several fun and exciting characters in this novel.  Have students choose one they would want to be friends with in real life and have them write an essay on why they chose this person or animal.