BECAUSE OF WINN-DIXIEby Kate DiCamillo

AR 4.1 LEXILE 650 DRA 40 GUIDED READING R

Anyone who wants to learn a book, not just read it, should keep a notebook. Any type of notebook will do, even paper stapled together.

ANYTHING TYPED IN BLUE IS A HYPERLINK ,

JUST CLICK ON IT TO GO TO A WEBSITE !

o to the back of your notebook and count inward five pages. Label

this page “Glossary.”

A glossary is a dictionary for a specific book. You will be creating a glossary just for Because of Winn-Dixie.

Throughout this document you will be given words to add to your glossary. You will also need to add definitions for those words. You can look up the

definitions in a dictionary or on dictionary.com.

The first definition listed in the dictionary might not be the one used in this book. Be sure to write down the definition that fits this story.

Number your pagesThe first page of any notebook gets lots of wear and tear and frequently rips out, so skip the first page. Begin numbering the pages of your notebook, fronts and backs, up to page six.

Title pagePage one of your notebook is your title page. Write the book title and the author’s name on this page. Once you’ve finished reading the book, come back to this page and draw a picture for it that you think represents the story well.

Table of contentsLabel page 3 of your notebook “Table of Contents.” As you complete activities and answer questions from this document, fill in your table of contents and write the correct page numbers.

Answering questionsYou’ll need to skip a few pages so you’re sure to have room for your table of contents. Label page 6 of your notebook “Chapters 1-4.” Answer the questions that begin on the next page here. Be sure to add it to your table of contents!

Glossary

G

in

di

a o

pa

l

wi

nn

-d

ix

ie

Preparing your notebook© jagodka - Fotolia.com

© fotopak - Fotolia.com

Chapters 1-41. When the manager says, “Somebody call the pound,” he’s talking about an animal shelter. When an animal doesn’t have a home, they go to an animal shelter. Go to this site to learn how to keep animals out of shelters. How many humans are born each day in the U.S.? How many dogs and cats? Why is this a problem?

2. What is the name of the grocery store where your family shops? What would Winn-Dixie’s name be if you found him?

3. Go to this site to find out why dogs get bald spots. What are the four reasons dogs can get bald spots?

4. List ten things you could say to describe your mother,

father, or someone else close to you.

5. Opal’s father says her mother “could stick a tire in the ground and grow a car.”

This is an example of a hyperbole. He uses more

hyperbole when telling Opal about her mom. What else did he say that was an example of hyperbole?

A trailer park is an area where house trailers can park. They usually have water, electrical, and sewer hook-ups. Sometimes people use these just for vacations, but an estimated 20 million Americans live in trailer parks permanently.

exceptioninsultedfortunate

Add these words and their meanings to your glossary:

MissionaryA missionary is a person sent on a religious mission, typically someone sent to a another country to promote Christianity.

OrphanA child who has had both parents die.

HolleredTo cry aloud, shout or yell.

Learn the constellations (this requires Flash Player so it may

not work on IOS devices)

Wik

imed

ia C

omm

ons

a Yorkie

Wik

imed

ia C

omm

ons

1. Benjamin Franklin is usually credited with starting the first library in the United States. Go to this site to learn more. What was the name of the group which started the first lending library? What year was it?

2. Franny Block said the mosquitoes were “so big they could fly away with you.” This is an example of what type of figurative language?

3. When does Opal know she’d made her first friend in Naomi? Be specific when writing your answer.

4. Sweetie Pie’s mama says if she’s real good, she might let her get what animal for a pet?

5. What do you think Gloria Dump meant when she said she wanted Opal to tell her everything about herself so she could “see” her with her heart?

Chapters 5 - 9

Add these words and their definitions to your glossary:

pridefulpeculiarstray

Parrots really can talk! Check out this video to see an amazing African gray parrot who can say over 350 words! It’s a Youtube video, so it may not work at school. If you are at home, ask your parent’s permission first.

The author, Kate DiCamillo, uses non-standard language when writing this book. An example is when she says, “If me and the preacher went off and left him...” This is incorrect grammar. Do you get confused when you should say, “Me and the preacher” or “The preacher and I”? Go to this site to learn when

to use me and when to use I.

There really are bears in Florida. Go to this site to see a video about the Florida black bear.

Should dogs e

at peanut

butter? Find o

ut here.

© joesive47 - Fotolia.com

© P

akhn

yush

chyy

- Fo

tolia

.com

© dionoanomalia - Fotolia.com

Wikimedia Commons

Activities Questions

Chapters 10 - 121. Gloria Dump has Opal plant a tree and “pat the dirt around it tight, like it was a baby” as if she was “tucking it into bed.” What type of figurative language is the author using here?

2. Opal said it looked like Winn-Dixie was laughing when the preacher told him he could get up on Opal’s bed. Then she said what amazed her the most was that the preacher laughed back. Why do you think that amazed her? What

does this say about the preacher’s character?

3. Winn-Dixie’s “pathological fear” is known as a phobia. Lots of people have them. Check out this list of phobias. What is Winn-Dixie’s fear of thunder and lightning called? What is the most unusual fear you found on the list?

© Nneirda - Fotolia.com

Wik

imed

ia C

omm

ons

© Anatolii - Fotolia.com

© Vera Kuttelvaserova - Fotolia.com

The most famous example of having a magic spell over animals is snake charming. In India, snake charmers and their king cobras aren’t uncommon.

Do they really have magic powers over the snake? Is it really hypnotized by the

music? Read here to find out.

Wik

imed

ia C

omm

ons

Wik

imed

ia C

omm

ons

CHAPTERS 13 - 16

Gloria Dump’s bottle tree is also known as a worry tree. Read this version of the worry tree story. What tree could be your worry tree? What worries would you leave behind on it when you go home?

1. Opal holds Winn-Dixie and rocks him when there’s a thunder storm. Winn-Dixie sits next to Franny Block when she has a fit. What comforts you when you are scared or don’t feel well?

2. Watch this PBS video about the first Civil War battle at Fort Sumter. What year did it take place? Who was the only casualty of the battle? (A casualty is a death or injury due to war.)

3. Littmus Block’s sisters died of typhoid fever. This was common in the 1800s and many soldier died of it too. Read this document (it’s a PDF so you may have to download it). What was the common name of typhoid fever? How was it transmitted or passed from person to person?

QuestionsWhen F

ranny Bloc

k has a

“fit” it is p

robably an

epileptic se

izure. Find

out

what it rea

lly is here.

It wasn’t unusual for boys like Littmus Block to fight in the Civil War. The boy in the photo on the left was a Confederate soldier

(those fighting for the northern states were called Union soldiers—

those in the southern states were called Confederate soldiers). Read more about boys (and women) fighting during the Civil War at this

website.

Library of congress

Add these words and the ir mean ings to your glossary :

cooped up

ignorant

imitated

© IL

YA A

KINS

HIN

- Fo

tolia

.com

1. Do you think you’d be able to taste the sorrow in a Littmus Lozenge? What sadness have you experienced in your life?

2. What do you think Opal meant when she said she read Gone With the Wind to Gloria Dump “loud enough to keep her ghosts away”?

3. Why do you think Opal refers to her father as “the preacher” instead of Dad? What do you think this says about their relationship?

4. Why does Opal have to apologize to Stevie? Do you think the preacher is right in making her tell him she is sorry? Do you think Stevie really does want to be her friend?

5. Why did Otis go to jail? Why did Gertrude hire him to work in her pet store?

Chapters 17 - 20

Add these words and the i r definitions to your glossary:

sorrowtragedyidle

burglar

Performing on the street for money is called busking. In some cities, this is illegal without a permit.

Wikimedia Commons

Activities Questions

What do you suppose an advertisement for the Littmus Lozenge looked like? What did it say? Design a magazine advertisement for the candy. What could you say about it that would make people want to buy it? Learn about the elements of an ad and tricks advertisers use here (requires Flash player so it may not work on IOS devices).

Photo courtesy of Thomas R Machnitzki

Wikimedia Commons

Chapters 21 - 231. Opal said Gloria Dump’s yard looked very pretty after they had decorated it. She said it made her heart “feel funny, all swollen and full.” What is this feeling she is describing? Can you think of or find a word that would fit this definition?

2. Franny Block brings a bowl of Littmus Lozenges to the party, Sweetie Pie brings pictures of dogs, Otis brings pickles. What are these things each is bringing? Why did they choose that particular item to

bring? What would you have taken to the party?

3. When it started raining, what was ruined? What were all the bad things that happened because of the rain?

convinced

frilly

teeter© Feng Yu - Fotolia.com

Add these words and their meanings to your glossary:

© k

zww

- Fo

tolia

.com

Questions

Chapters 24 - 26

Do you know the difference between a turtle and a tortoise? Find out here.

Questions1.The sentence, “Cars were rushing past us and their taillights glowed red, like mean eyes staring at us,” is an example of a simile. Rewrite it to make it a metaphor instead.

2. How do you think Opal felt when she realized knowing ten things about her mother wouldn’t really help her get to know her?

3. Why do you think Amanda doesn’t looked “pinched-faced” to Opal anymore? Do you think Amanda’s looks have changed or do you think the way Opal is looking at her has changed? What has changed Opal’s mind?

© U

ros P

etro

vic - F

otol

ia.c

om

HymnA song in praise or honor of a god.

Did you know...

...having a pet can make you healthier? Find out how, here.

...rain falls at 7-18 miles per hour?! Find out more about rain here.

...there are websites that will teach you how to play the guitar for free?

The preacher pulling his head inside his shell is an example of a metaphor for hiding from life. Animals are frequently used in figurative language. Take this quiz to see how well you know animal idioms. Write down your score in your notebook.

Works Cited

Allen, James. 505px Closed Sign. 2011. Photograph. Wikimedia Commons. Wikimedia, 8 Oct. 2011. Web. 02 Feb. 2014.

"Bald Spots in Dogs." WebMD. WebMD, LLC, n.d. Web. 31 Jan. 2014. <http://pbskids.org/itsmylife/family/pets/article8.html>.

"Ben's Guide: Benjamin Franklin -- Librarian." Ben's Guide: Benjamin Franklin -- Librarian. US Government Printing Office, 25 Feb. 2007. Web. 01 Feb. 2014.

<http://bensguide.gpo.gov/benfranklin/librarian.html>.

Boyd, Tracy. "Figurative Language: ANIMAL IDIOMS." Quia -. N.p., n.d. Web. 07 Feb. 2014.

Brooks, Rebecca B. "Civil War Saga." Civil War Saga. N.p., 16 Nov. 2011. Web. 02 Feb. 2014. <http://civilwarsaga.com/child-soldiers-in-the-civil-war/>.

Burns, Ken. "Video: The Civil War: Fort Sumter | Watch The Civil War Online | PBS Video." PBS Video. Public Broadcasting Service, 3 Apr. 2011. Web. 02 Feb.

2014. <http://video.pbs.org/video/1832507650/>.

"Busking." Kids.Net.Au. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 Feb. 2014.

Clampanelli, Paul. "Can Dogs Eat Peanut Butter?" PawNation. N.p., 6 Mar. 2013. Web. 02 Feb. 2014.

<http://www.pawnation.com/2013/03/06/can-dogs-eat-peanut-butter/1>.

Collage of Nine Dogs. 2010. Photograph. Wikimedia Commons. Wikimedia, 3 July 2010. Web. 31 Jan. 2014.

"Constellation Hunt." Astronomy For Kids -Constellation Hunt. Kids Astronomy, n.d. Web. 31 Jan. 2014.

<http://www.kidsastronomy.com/astroskymap/constellation_hunt.htm>.

"Don't Buy It . Advertising Tricks | PBS KIDS GO!" Don't Buy It . Advertising Tricks | PBS KIDS GO! Public Broadcasting Service, n.d. Web. 03 Feb. 2014.

Dr. Zak. Trailerpark. 2007. Photograph. West Miami, Florida. Wikimedia Commons. Wikimedia, 6 May 2007. Web. 31 Jan. 2014.

Ealdgyth. Blackcowboyboots. 2007. Photograph. Wikimedia Commons. Wikimedia, 14 Sept. 2007. Web. 02 Feb. 2014.

"Epilepsy Explanation for Children Medipedia - the Coolest and Most Informative Medical Encyclopedia for Kids | Medikidz." Epilepsy Explanation for Children

Medipedia - the Coolest and Most Informative Medical Encyclopedia for Kids | Medikidz. Medipedia, n.d. Web. 02 Feb. 2014.

<http://www.medikidz.com/medipedia/epilepsy>.

Evans-Amos. Butterscotch-Candies. 2012. Photograph. Wikimedia Commons. Wikimedia, 26 Apr. 2012. Web. 02 Feb. 2014.

Fleming, Grace. "Confusing I and Me." About.com Homework / Study Tips. N.p., n.d. Web. 31 Jan. 2014.

<http://homeworktips.about.com/od/homeworkhelp/a/iandme.htm>.

"Florida Black Bear." Florida Black Bear. FWC Logo Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, n.d. Web. 01 Feb. 2014.

<http://www.myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/managed/bear/>.

A Florida Black Bear. N.d. Photograph. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Ocala National Forest. Wikipedia. Wikimedia, 15 Mar. 2012. Web. 01

Feb. 2014.

Geoghegan, Tom. "Why Do so Many Americans Live in Mobile Homes?" BBC News. BBC, 23 Sept. 2013. Web. 01 Feb. 2014.

<http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-24135022>.

Gone with the Wind Cover. N.d. Photograph. Wikimedia Commons. Wikimedia. Web. 03 Feb. 2014.

Hanson Records. "SOUNDS OF THE INDIAN SNAKE CHARMER VOL. TWO LP - Promotional Video." Vimeo. Vimeo, LLC, n.d. Web. 02 Feb. 2014.

<http://vimeo.com/70431764>.

Holloway, Paul. Buskers. 2006. Photograph. Wikimedia Commons. Wikimedia, 2 Mar. 2013. Web. 03 Feb. 2014.

Iliyan, Maria, and Orlin. "Poisonous Animals: The Truth behind Snake Charming." ThinkQuest. Oracle Foundation, n.d. Web. 02 Feb. 2014.

<http://library.thinkquest.org/C007974/2_6sch.htm>.

"It's My Life . Family . Pets . Spaying and Neutering | PBS Kids GO!" It's My Life . Family . Pets . Spaying and Neutering | PBS Kids GO! PBS, n.d. Web. 31 Jan.

2014. <http://pbskids.org/itsmylife/family/pets/article8.html>.

Keppie, Andrew. "Kids Guitar Zone - Learn to Play the Guitar for Free. - Home." Kids Guitar Zone - Learn to Play the Guitar for Free. - Home. N.p., n.d. Web. 07

Feb. 2014.

Lyoha123. Lightning in Zdolbuniv. N.d. Photograph. Wikimedia Commons. Wikimedia, 30 June 2009. Web. 02 Feb. 2014.

Machnitzki, Thomas R. Abandoned Factory Memphis TN 2013-01-20 014. 2013. Photograph. Wikimedia Commons. Wikimedia, 23 Jan. 2013. Web. 03 Feb. 2014.

McCandless, Sarah G. "Top 5 Health Benefits of Owning a Pet." Animal Planet. Discovery Communications, n.d. Web. 05 Feb. 2014.

Medical: Http://www.civilwar.org/education/pdfs/civil-was-curriculum-medicine.pdf. N.p.: Civil War Trust, n.d. PDF.

"Reference for Kids : List of Phobias." Reference for Kids : List of Phobias. N.p., n.d. Web. 02 Feb. 2014.

<http://www.reference4kids.com/literature/list_of_phobias.html>.

"Tortoise vs Turtle." - Difference and Comparison. Diffen, n.d. Web. 07 Feb. 2014.

Unidentified Young Soldier in Confederate Infantry Uniform. 1861-1865. Photograph. Liljenquist Family Collection of Civil War Photographs (Library of

Congress), Washington, D.C. The Library of Congress. Web. 02 Feb. 2014. <http://www.loc.gov/pictures/collection/lilj/item/2012648954/>.

Warner, Joanne. "Figurative Language - Mrs. Warner's 4th Grade Classroom." Mrs. Warner's 4th Grade Classroom. Arlington Elementary School, n.d. Web. 31 Jan.

2014. <http://mrswarnerarlington.weebly.com/figurative-language.html>.

Wicker, Crystal. "Weather Wiz Kids Weather Information for Kids." Weather Wiz Kids Weather Information for Kids. N.p., n.d. Web. 07 Feb. 2014.

WingedWolfPsion. Spider Morph Ball Python. 2008. Photograph. Wikipedia. Wikimedia, 5 June 2008. Web. 02 Feb. 2014.

Yildiz, Sharon. "Best Talking Parrot in the World! Clover Knows 350+ Words (with Subtitles)." YouTube. YouTube, 28 Apr. 2011. Web. 01 Feb. 2014.

<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9y3VX8VU9kI>.