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Because of Winn-Dixie Lesson Plans
Source: Walden Media
Lesson 1: To Market and Winn-Dixie
- Read: Chapters 1-7
- Writing Journal: Invite students to generate “character webs,” ongoing lists of adjectives for each character in the book. Ask the students to note personality shifts in the characters over the course of the book.
- Worksheet: “In Search of Winn-Dixie” (to be used as a follow-up exercise once the class has finished the book). Download PDF
- Activity: As a class research project, find out about the Humane Society and the process of adopting a pet. Then arrange a trip to your local animal shelter, or invite a veterinarian or shelter worker to visit your class. Download student worksheet: “Because of You.”
Lesson 2: Gertrude's Pets and Gloria Dump
- Read: Chapters 8-13
- Writing Journal: Invite students to answer one of the following questions in their journals: Who is Gloria Dump and why are the Dewberrys afraid of her? What makes people afraid of others? Why do the Dewberrys annoy Opal?
- Worksheet: “Maybe You Can Set Me Up on an Installment Plan?” Download PDF
- Activity: DiCamillo’s description of Gertrude’s Pets is particularly vivid. Invite students to draw the movie set for the pet shop.
Lesson 3: Franny Block, Littmus Lozenges, and Otis
- Read:Chapters 14-20
- Writing Journal: Review the author’s use of similes in the discussion of Littmus Lozenges (pp. 119, 129, and 132), then pose the following question: “Imagine that you have eaten a Littmus Lozenge. What does melancholy taste like to you?” Encourage students to use descriptive words and phrases.
- Worksheet: “Littmus Lozenges: Sweet & Sorrowful” Download PDF
- Activity: Help your students learn about how hard candies such as Littmus Lozenges are made. Describe sugar crystals and explain how they form into rock candy. Here’s a helpful resource:
http://www.exploratorium.edu/cooking/candy/recipe-rockcandy.html.
Lesson 4: The Party
- Read: Chapters 21-26
- Writing Journal: Invite students to write a journal entry in the voice of one of the book’s characters. How does that character feel as he or she gets ready for the party at Gloria Dump’s house?
- Worksheet: “Because of Winn-Dixie: The Movie vs. the Book” Download PDF
- Activity: Throw a class party. Taking inspiration from Sweetie Pie Thomas, have students make dog-themed invitations. Don’t forget egg salad sandwiches, Otis’ pickles, and music!
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