Because of Winn-Dixie WebQuest

Introduction


  

    Imagine you have just moved to a new place where you know no one. You have no friends and no one to talk to. How would you feel? 

     Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo tells the story of ten-year old India Opal and her adventure as she gets to know her new home with a new friend that she meets soon after moving. 

     Follow the directions to travel through the WebQuest to help you learn more about the characters, setting, and plot of Because of Winn-Dixie. You will be given a packet to record your responses during the WebQuest. 

Task

You are going to be working with a partner on this project. The two of you will be working your way through this WebQuest. You will be completing different activities that will involve using different websites. There are activities to complete before, during, and after reading. 

Your Tasks:

Before Reading     •Task 1-Learn the Vocabulary     •Task 2-Meet the Author

During Reading

     Task 3-Meet the Characters     •Task 4-Setting     •Task 5-Construct a Story Pyramid

After Reading

     •Task 6- Character Change Activity     •Task 7-Design a new book cover     •Fun Activity-You can complete this activity if you have extra time at anytime        during the WebQuest

Process

Before Reading

Task 1: Vocabulary Part 1

There are some new words in this book. On the next slide you will be marking the words that you know, that you have seen before, and the words you do not know. Use an “x” to mark the correct column. 

Task 1: Vocabulary Part 2

There are some new words in this book. Using the vocabulary list I have given you, either use an online dictionary or a class dictionary to help you fill in the definitions on the next slide. 


Task 2: Meet the Author

Go to Kids Reads Interview  and Kate DiCamillo’s website to find out more about the author of Because of Winn-Dixie. Please write in complete sentences. 

Answer the questions in your packet using the websites.

1. Name one other book she has written.

2. Name one award she has received.

3. Name one interesting fact about Kate DiCamillo. 


During Reading

Task 3: Meet the Characters

After you read chapter two, list 3 character traits about the characters listed below. 

India Opal

The Preacher

Winn-Dixie


 

Task 4: Setting

Use the clues in the book to help you identify where and when the story is taking place. Give a page number and clue from the book to support your answer. 

Complete after reading chapter one. 


 

Task 5: Story Pyramid

You will need to print the story pyramid. In this task you will be recalling events from the story. Pay attention as to how many words it tells you to use on each line.

Complete after reading chapter ten.

1.Who was the main character?
2.Two words- What was her new pet's name?
3.Three words- Where did she find him?
4.Four words- What did he look like when she found him?
5.Five words- Describe one event in the story.
6.Six words- Describe another event in the story.
7.Seven words- What was your favorite part of the story?


After Reading

Task 6: Character Change Activity

Complete the character change activity in your work packet about one of the characters in the story. Pick from Opal, the Preacher, Gloria Dump, or Otis. Please write in complete sentences. 


Task 7: Design a new book cover

Draw and color a new book cover. The cover must represent the book. You may use construction paper, markers, crayons, colored pencils, scissors, glue. Be creative!


Fun Activity: Where is the closest Winn Dixie?

Winn Dixie is a food store chain. Go to the Winn Dixie website and find the store that closest to New Canaan.

Winn Dixie Store Locator



Evaluation

Name:

Category

1

2

3

4

Vocabulary

Looked up less than 5 words correctly. 

Looked up at least 6 words correctly.

Looked up at least half of the words correctly.

Looked up all of the words correctly.

Meet the Author

Answers 1 out of the three questions.

Answers 2 out of the 3 questions.

Answers all questions but did not use complete sentences.

Answers all questions in complete sentences.

Meet the Characters

Does not list at least one prediction for each character.

Lists at least one prediction for the characters.

Lists at least 2 predictions for all the characters.

Lists 3 predictions for all characters.

Setting

Does not answer all questions or provide clues.

Answers all questions with our without complete sentences but does NOT provide clues.

Answers all questions but does not use complete sentences and provides clues.

Answers all questions in complete sentences and provides clues.

Story Pyramid

Correctly completed 3 or less of the lines. 

Correctly completed at least 4 lines correctly.

Correctly completed at least half of the pyramid.

Correctly completed all lines of the pyramid

Character Change

Includes character traits for 2 of the following beginning, middle, and end; answers one question using clues from the story or answers both questions without clues from the story.

Includes character traits for 2 of the following beginning, middle, and end; answers one question using clues from the story or answers both questions without clues from the story.

Includes character traits for 2 of the following: beginning, middle, and end; answers both questions using clues from the story.

Includes character traits for beginning, middle, and end; answers both questions using clues from the story.

Book Cover

Provides work that usually needs to be checked/redone by others to ensure quality. 

Provides work that occasionally needs to be checked/redone by other group members to ensure quality.

Provides high quality work.

Provides work of the highest quality. 

Group Work

Less than half the time works the whole time, cooperates with group, gives their best effort.

Half the time works the whole time, cooperates with group, gives their best effort.

More than half the time works the whole time, cooperates with group, gives their best effort.

Almost always works the whole time, cooperates with group, gives their best effort.

Conclusion

Great job! You have completed the Winn-Dixie web quest and have finished reading Because of Winn-Dixie. Now that you have a great understanding of the book, here are a few fun websites you can look at.

Scholastic Website for Becasue of Winn-Dixie

Movie Trailer

Meet the cast of the movie

Credits
Teacher Page
Purpose: The purpose of this WebQuest is to allow students to further their adventure with Opal and Winn-Dixie by completing work before, during, and after reading. This project also allows students to discover the information available on the Internet.

Rationale: This WebQuest gives the students the opportunity to strengthen their computer skills while teaching them the uses of the Internet. Students will also be able to read with a deeper understanding from the pre-reading activities.

Learner Description: This WebQuest was designed for 4th grade students.

Prerequisites: Students need to have some basic computer and Internet knowledge. Students should be reading or have read Because of Winn-Dixie to complete parts of this WebQuest.
Instructional Objectives: Once students have completed this WebQuest they will be able to successfully do the following:
•Locate words either via an online dictionary or from a basic classroom dictionary.
•Describe each of the characters and how they have changed.
•Recall story events and write them down.
•Research Information on the Internet.
•Experiencing the ease of using the Internet.
•Use their own creativity to redesign the book cover.
Standards Addressed: The standards addressed are taken from The Common Core.
Assessment: This WebQuest has several item that will be used as assessment tools. There is a rubric outlining the various requirements for each assessment.