Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo, Close Reading Exemplar

Learning Objective

The goal of this one day exemplar is to give students the opportunity to use the reading and writing habits they’ve been practicing on a regular basis to absorb deep lessons from Kate DiCamillo’s story. By reading and rereading the passage closely and focusing their reading through a series of questions and discussion about the text, students will identify how and why the three main characters became friends.


Reading Task

Vocabulary Task

Discussion Task

Writing Task


Outline of Lesson Plan

This lesson can be delivered in two days of instruction and reflection on the part of students and their teacher, or spread over three days. Reasons for extending the discussion regarding Because of Winn-Dixie to three full periods of instruction include taking more time to unpack the rich array of ideas DiCamillo explores in this piece, taking more time to look closely at academic vocabulary, or even working at greater length with the writing prompt.

Day 1 - Instructional Exemplar

Day 2 - Explanatory Writing Assignment


Standards Covered

The following CCS standards are the focus of this assignment: RL.3.1, 3-5; RF.3.3-4; W.3.2, 4-5; SL.3.1-2; L.3.1-5.

 

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