Because of Winn Dixie Novel Study Ideas
By MARISSA DESPINS Updated Sept 19, 2023
Kate DiCamillo’s novel, “Because of Winn-Dixie,” is a heartwarming story about the power of friendship and seeing beyond appearances. This beautiful tale explores themes of loneliness, loss, grief, forgiveness, and acceptance. Because of this, A Because of Winn Dixie Novel Study is an excellent choice for whole class instruction, literature circles, book clubs, or individual reading in the classroom or homeschool setting.
Grab a COMPLETE Novel Study to use along with this beautiful story by clicking on the image or button below!
For more information on teaching specific novels, you won’t want to miss our posts on teaching Wonder, The Hunger Games, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and The Outsiders!
Because of Winn Dixie Novel Study
Originally published in 2000, “Because of Winn-Dixie” has received numerous awards and accolades, including the 2001 Newbery Medal, the 2000 Josette Frank Award, and the 2003 Mark Twain Award. The National Education Association named it one of its “Teachers’ Top 100 Books for Children” in 2007, and the School Library Journal ranked it among the top 20 children’s books of all time. This warm and touching story seamlessly combines humor, poignancy, sadness, and most importantly, the power of acceptance beyond what meets the eye.
Check out some fun activities to use along with a Because of Winn Dixie novel study below!
Because of Winn Dixie novel study – Comprehension Questions
Including comprehension questions in a novel study serves as a foundational pillar for effective learning. By probing their comprehension at various levels—ranging from factual recall to higher-order analysis—these questions nurture critical thinking skills and encourage students to explore beyond the surface.
Furthermore, comprehension questions provide a structured framework that aids in organizing thoughts, extracting key information, and fostering meaningful discussions. They empower educators to assess students’ grasp of the material, identify areas for improvement, and tailor instruction to individual needs.
Ultimately, incorporating comprehension questions in a novel study fosters a holistic learning experience, enriching students’ literary appreciation and their ability to connect with the author’s message on a profound level.
The comprehension questions shown below work great alongside a Because of Winn Dixie novel study – they ask enough questions for students to show understanding without making the process overwhelming. Also, I love how they have space for students to illustrate key events!
Reading Strategy Practice for Because of Winn Dixie
In ELA instruction, teaching reading comprehension strategies is crucially important. These strategies help students become independent readers who can monitor their own understanding. By showing them how and giving them practice, these strategies can significantly help all types of readers.
For detailed information about teaching key reading strategies like visualizing, determining importance, and connecting, check out this blog post.
I love using these connections foldables in my Because of Winn Dixie novel study. They ask students to connect with the novel at a deeper level. I really like how easy they are to use – simply cut, glue, and complete!
The heart maps shown below are another great way for students to connect with text in meaningful ways. Students use the graphic organizers to reflect on things that “fill their hearts”, just like Opal in the story.
On the hunt for some engaging graphic organizers that you can use with ANY novel study? Check out this post – and grab an exclusive free resource!
Because of Winn Dixie Novel Study – Vocabulary practice
Including vocabulary practice in your Because of Winn Dixie novel study is essential. Learning new words helps students understand the text better and enjoy the story more. It also improves their language skills and how they communicate. When they learn words while reading, they see how words work in real situations. This not only improves their reading skills but also equips them with a valuable life skill—effective communication. Integrating vocabulary practice into novel studies enriches students’ language proficiency and comprehension abilities, setting them on a path toward becoming more adept readers and communicators.
The vocabulary activities pictured above are super fun, as they ask students to create fun foldables as they define each word. These are great for review, as students can quiz each other and flip the flaps to reveal the answers. They make great additions to interactive notebooks!
Giant Pennant Projects for Because of Winn Dixie
Looking for a fun final project for your Because of Winn Dixie novel study? These pennant projects are fun ways to reflect on the story. After completing the novel, students choose and write about their favorite parts. Completed projects make gorgeous hallway displays!
Interested in downloading the complete novel study?
Grab all of the activities mentioned in this post by clicking on the image or button below!
If you are struggling with choosing the perfect book for your next novel study, you won’t want to miss our lists of favorite middle school and upper elementary novels!
Looking for more reading activities?
Check out some of my previous blog posts on reading below.
How to Plan a Novel Study: Choosing the Activities
How to Plan a Novel Study: Assessment Activities
Hatchet Novel Study Activities
Novel Study Text Selection Tips
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