Introduction
This is an ELA webquest designed for 4th graders based on the book,"Because of Winn Dixie" written by, Kate DiCamillo. You will be exploring the chapters of the story and completing various assignments along the way. Come along as we explore life with Winn Dixie!
Task
You are about to read a book about a young girl named Opal who finds a dog and names him Winn Dixie. She is new to this small town and hasn't met many friends. Along the way Opal meets some new and exciting people. You will be keeping a character log of all the new characters we meet along the way! Along with the log there will be group discussions and activities. There will also be a predication log where you will predict what will happen in the upcoming chapters.
Process
Read Chapter 1:
In your character log write down the characters that we meet in this chapter. Opal and Winn Dixie
In your prediction log, write your predictions on how you think Opal's father will react to Winn-Dixie, Do you think he will let her keep him?
Read Chapter 2:
In your journal write about a pet that you have and your relationship with your pet. If you don't have one, imagine if you had a dog like Winn Dixie. What would you name your dog? Would the dog be your best friend?
What is a preacher? Be sure to look up this word in the dictionary and write it in your dictionary log!
In this chapter, we met preacher (Opals father). Add him to your character log!
Make a prediction in your chart on what you think will happen next. Will Winn Dixie be a good new pet for Opal, or will he just cause trouble at the trailer park?
Read Chapter 3&4:
Define orphans and write it on your dictionary log!
For Ch. 4: Predict what you think the preacher will tell Opal about her mom and put it in your prediction log.
For Ch.5: make predictions on what you think will happen. Will preacher till Opal more about her mother?
In groups of 2, each person will write 10 things they like about the other in their journal.
Read Chapter 5&6:
Define pews and write the definition in your log.
Prediction chapter 5: Will Opal make new friends?
We meet a new character, Miss Franny Block! Add her to your log!
Prediction chapter 6: Did Opal meet a new friend at the library?
Read Chapter 7&8:
Journal: If you could have any one thing in the world, what would you want and why? Would you want a library like Franny or something different?
We meet a new character, Amanda Wilkinson. Add her to your log!
Predication Chapter 7: Opal doesn't seem to like Amanda Wilkinson. Why do you think that is? Do you think they will become friends?
We meet a new character in Chapter 8, Otis! Add him to your log!
We meet another character, Sweetie Pie Thomas! Add her to your log!
Ch. 8 Prediction: Opal made two new friends and got a job! Do you think Winn-Dixie will bring her more good luck?
Read Chapters 9&10:
Character log: Dunlap and Stevie Dewberry's! We also meet Gloria Dump!
Journal: Gloria has trouble seeing so she told Opal to tell her about her so she can see with her heart. Seeing with your heart means to judge someone by who they are not what they look like. What do you think it means to see with your heart? Do you think people should choose to see with their heart or their eyes?
Prediction: Why do you think the Dewberry boys called Gloria Dump a witch, do you think she is going to turn out to be a nice new friend or a mean lady?
Journal: Why do you think Opal always refers to preacher as a turtle who hides in his shell?
Prediction chapter 10: Do you think Winn Dixie is going to help preacher and Opals relationship?
Read Chapter 11&12:
Whimpering and Barreling : add these words to your dictionary log!
Groups: In groups we will discuss pathological fears. Students will share with each other what fears they have.
Prediction Ch.11: Due to Winn-Dixies fear of thunder, do you think this could effect him in the future of this story?
Prediction Ch. 12: Why do you think Otis went to jail? Do you think he will tell Opal?
Evaluation
This is how your work will be evaluated.
| 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | Score |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Character Log | All Characters are presented and described in good detail in the order we meet them. The student shows that they understand the characters. | Not all characters are present or in the order in which we meet them. Student isn't descriptive in character analysis. | Missing characters, not in order we meet them. Student doesn't fully understand the role of each character. | Lack of effort. Missing characters, bad grammar, no descriptions. | |
| Group Activity | Students work well together and complete all the assignments to the best of their ability. Team effort, everyone is involved. | Only some activities are completed to the best of their ability. | Group did not work well together, but completed some of the activities. | Groups did not work well together and did not complete the assigned activities. | |
| Book Reading | Completed all the assigned chapters on time. Fully understood the reading and what is going on in the story. | Participated in book reading most of the time. | Rarely participated in book reading. Had no idea what was going on. | Never participated in book reading. | |
| Prediction Log | Made predictions after each chapter on time. | Made predictions of most of the chapters, not all on time. | Rarely made predictions in the log. | Never made predictions in the log | |
| Dictionary Log | Student defines new words for all the words required in their log. | Student defines most of the definitions. | Student rarely defines the new words | Student never defines words |
Conclusion
You have completed the book! Wasn't it great? There are so many other great books that you can enjoy, just ask your teacher or librarian for some recommendations! In the meantime, I hope you can take what you learned from this story and use it in your future reading assignments as well as everyday life!