Because of Winn Dixie

The following vocabulary has been taken from the novel, Because of Winn-Dixie. When finding definitions, it is important to select the appropriate definition. Some words have multiple definitons. You want to choose the definition that best suits the context of the story. I have provided a page number where each word can be found on in the novel. If you are unsure of the correct definition, read the page over and then choose the definition that fits best. Chapter 1 preacher produce (page 7) (page 7) aisle (page 11) Chapter 2 missionary (page 13) fortunate (page 16) distract suffering (page 14) (page 14) stray (page 18) exception (page 15) specific (page 15) employees (page 8) manager (page 9) pound (page 9)

Chapters 3 & 4 insulted (page 20) constellation (page 28) orphan (page sermon nudge talent 21) (page 24) (page 25) (page 26) memorized (page 30)

Chapters 5, 6 & 7 congregation applaud consisted (page 33) (page 38) (page 45) advanced (page 51) Chapters 8 & 9 combination (page 53) allowance (page 53) rely irritate (page stroke (page 53) (page 58) 58) invitation (page 66) peculiar recall (page 47) (page 49)

hollered (page overgrown 61) (page 61) Chapters 10 & 11

amaze whinning whimpering (page 71) (page 72) (page 72) crept intend (page (page 77) 77) Chapters 12 &13 blushed (page criminal 83) (page 84) roundabout (page 91) Chapters 14, 15, & 16 imitated harsh fit (page

confused (page 74)

barreling (page 74)

routine cooped ignorant (page 87) (page 89) (page 91)

comfort

slavery

(page 92) enlisted (page 105)

(page 96) 99) (page 100) cuss vermin survived (page (page 107) (page 109) 105)

(page 101)

Chapters 17 &18 sensation manufacture (page 110) (page 111 ) invented melancholy (page 120) (page 121) Chapters 19, 20 & 21 false nerve (page sigh (page (page 129) 131) 133) swollen sway (page 145) (page 145) Chapters 22, 23, 24, 25, & 26 appreciate (page 153) potion (page 171) platter wad (pagerealize plumb (page 155) 157) (page 167) (page 170) aching convince (page 134) (page 143) lozenge (page 111) tragedy (page 125) sorrow ingredient (page (page 114) 119)

Reading Response

A reading response is simply a written dialogue between you and I about the novel. The response journal is a place for you to record your reactions and questions about the literature that you read, and not just a place to simply summarize what you've read, although a brief summary is required. There are no right or wrong answers in response journals. They are intended to permit communication between you and I about the novel . Hopefully, I will experience the novel through your eyes as I read your journal and thereby gain some insight into your understanding of the story. Ideally, you will write your responses as you read or at least return to the actual text while writing. While spelling, mechanics and neatness are not the focal point of the response journal, it is important that your entries make sense and are legible. Format: The minimum length for your reading responses is one page double spaced. The maximum length is two double spaced pages. I expect the title of the novel, the chapter(s) title or number, the date and your name to be included on every reading response. All responses are to be handwritten. Listed below are some suggestions for responses. You are not expected to use every one of them in your reading response. The list certainly isn't complete either, and I welcome any other ideas that you might want to express about the novel. Each chapter response must begin on a new page. Some Suggestions for Responses: 1. Your opinion of the setting 2. Your reaction to the development of the plot line 3. Your opinion of the characters 4. What you liked or disliked and why 5. Connections you made between the text and your own life 6. What you felt as you read 7. What you noticed about how you read 8. Things you wonder about 9. Questions you have after reading 10. Interesting words or phrases 11. Prediction for the next chapter 12. Reflection on previous predictions I will expect you to provide evidence from the story to back up your opinions or observations. If you make a prediction, for example, you must explain why you feel the way you do. Each reading response will receive a mark out of ten and will make up a

portion of your novel study mark. Make sure you follow the criteria that has been set out for you. Ask me for clarification if you have questions.

Name:____________________________________ Homeroom:________

Because of Winn DixieBy Kate DiCamillo

Reading Activity PacketDunn Middle School 7 Grade Language Arts Miss Wrede and Miss Tutelath

"My name is India Opal Buloni, and last summer my daddy, the preacher, sent me to the store for a box of macaroni-and-cheese, some white rice, and two tomatoes and I came back with a dog."

Because of Winn DixieFor this first task of your reading packet, you will place an "X" in the box that best shows your knowledge of the vocabulary words listed. If you know what the word means, use it in a sentence at the bottom of the worksheet. If you have seen this word before, please note where. If you don't know what the word means, you can look it up in a dictionary. Once you get a definition for the word, you can write it on the worksheet. Tomorrow, we will go over these definitions as a class.

Knowledge Rating SheetI know what this word I have seen this word means before preacher mosquito croak lozenge orphan sermon potluck howl holler knuckle I do not know what this word means

If you put an "X" in the first column, write a sentence below using that word. If you put an "X" in the second column, write where you have seen the word before. If you put an "X" in the third column, find the definition and write it below. 1. preacher: ____________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ______ 2. mosquito: ___________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ______ 3. croak: ______________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ______ 4. lozenge: ____________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ______ 5. orphan: _____________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ______ 6. sermon: _____________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ______ 7. potluck: _____________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________ ______ 8. howl: _______________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ______ 9. holler: ______________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ______ 10. knuckle: ____________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ______

To Think About Questions Chapters 4-6Please answer the following questions after finishing chapter 6 that ends on page 44. The answers to these questions will help you in your final writing activity at the conclusion of the novel. 1. Why did Opals mom leave? _________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ _____ ______________________________________________________________ _____ 2. What had their (Opal and her dads) church been? ________________________ ______________________________________________________________ _____

______________________________________________________________ _____ 3. What did Winn-Dixie do at church? ____________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ _____ ______________________________________________________________ _____ 4. Why is Opal lonely? ________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ _____ ______________________________________________________________ _____ 5. What did Miss Franny Block think Winn-Dixie was? _______________________ ______________________________________________________________ _____ ______________________________________________________________ _____

To Think About Questions Chapters 7-8Please answer the following questions after finishing chapter 8 of the text that ends on page 59. The answers to these questions will help you in your final writing activity at the conclusion of the novel. 1. Who established the library? Why? ___________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ _____ ______________________________________________________________ _____ 2. What did the bear do with the book? ___________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ _____ ______________________________________________________________ _____ 3. How is Opal paying for the collar and leash? _____________________________ ______________________________________________________________ _____ ______________________________________________________________ _____ 4. Who is Gertrude? __________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ __________ In the following spaces, come up with one or two discussion questions of your own based on what you have read in Because of Winn Dixie so far. We will use the questions you and your classmates come up with for our class discussion. ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ _______________ ______________________________________________________________ _____ ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ __________

AlphaboxesAlphaboxes are done as you read the book. They help you recall important names, places and words used in the text. As you read Because of Winn Dixie, try to find characters, places, themes, or vocabulary words for each letter. Find the most interesting and important words you can for each box. It is OK to have more than one word in each box. These words and names will help when you are writing the final creative activity for this packet, so keep adding over the course of the novel! A B C D

E

F

G

H

I

J

K

L

M

N

O

P

Q

R

S

T

U

V

W

X,Y,Z

To Think About Questions Chapters 10-12Please answer the following questions after finishing chapter 12 of the text that ends on page 86. The answers to these questions will help you in your final writing activity at the conclusion of the novel. 1. What are Gloria and Opal testing? _____________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ __________ 2. What is Winn-Dixie afraid of? _________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ __________ 3. What does Opal find when she arrives at Gertrudes Pets? _________________ ______________________________________________________________ _____ ______________________________________________________________ _____ 4. Why does Otis let the animals out? ____________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ _____ ______________________________________________________________ _____

Pretend that you are Opal. Write a short letter to Otis, explaining how you (Opal) feel about him letting the pets out. _______________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ _____ ______________________________________________________________ _____ ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ _________________________

To Think About Questions Chapters 13-16Please answer the following questions after finishing chapter 16 of the text that ends on page 109. The answers to these questions will help you in your final writing activity at the conclusion of the novel. 1. Where was Opals favorite place to be? ________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ __________ 2. What does Gloria show Opal in the backyard? ___________________________ ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ __________

3. What advice does Gloria give Opal? ___________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ __________ 4. Why does Opal want to read to Gloria? _________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ __________ 5. What is the significance of Fort Sumter? ________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ __________ 6. How old was Littmus when he enlisted? Why could he sign up at that early of an age? ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ __________

To Think About Questions Chapters 17-20Please answer the following questions after finishing chapter 20 of the text that ends on page 142. The answers to these questions will help you in your final writing activity at the conclusion of the novel. 1. What did Littmus decide to do after the war? _____________________________ ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ __________ 2. How does the Lozenge make Amanda and Opal feel? What is the secret ingredient? __________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ __________ 3. Who was Carson? _________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ __________ 4. Why did Otis go to jail? Was it justified? ________________________________

______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ __________ 5. What is Opals idea? What does Gloria make Opal promise? Why? __________ ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ __________ At this point in the novel, what do you think of the book? Are you enjoying the read or do you dislike it? Be truthful! _________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ __________

Literature CirclesExploring Reading through Group Activities

Literature Circles are a fun and exciting way for students to gain a better understanding of novels. For this section of Because of Winn-Dixie, you will take part in a Literature Circle over a five-day period. On the first day, Miss Wrede and Miss Tutela will give a brief introduction into each part of the Circle and will assign you your part and group. On the second day, you will have time in class to complete your portion if the Literature Circle so that you are ready to present on the assigned day. On the third day, you will start working in your groups. The members of your group assigned to the Word Wizard and Character Sketcher positions will present their work. The groups will then answer the questions that follow as well as take part in discussion about the projects presented.

On the second day, the Passage Picker will have three passages selected from the text that pertain to friendship. As a group, you will answer the questions in your packet dealing with these passages and then continue with more group discussion. On the final day of your Literature Circle, the Discussion Director will lead the group through questions he or she created that deal with the storyline of the book. Guidelines to follow during your Literature Circles: Please stay away from discussion that does not deal with Because of WinnDixie. Group work is always fun and lots of conversation is encouraged, but keep on task as best as possible! When a member of your group is presenting his or her part of the Literature Circle, treat him or her as you would treat any one of your teachers. Each of you will work very hard on your aspect of the project, and you want to treat the rest of your group members with the same respect with which you want them to treat you! Please give your classmates positive feedback on the hard work they put into the assignment. Everyone will do a great job, so let each classmate know how much you enjoy and appreciate his or her part of the Circle! If your group discussion finishes early, look at the Enhancement Activities at the end of the packet and work on any one of them. If you would prefer to read silently, that is fine as well!

Character Sketcher Literature Circle: Because of Winn-Dixie

Dear Character Sketcher, Your job is to fill in the profile of the head of Opal with what Opal is thinking about throughout the book. You may draw any symbols inside the head that you think Opal likes, dislikes, or feels as the story progresses. The pictures that you draw inside Opals head must have to do with the parts of the book you have read so far. For example, you may want to draw a dog inside Opals head to represent Winn-Dixie. On Wednesday, you will meet with your group to discuss why you thought the pictures you drew were important.

Because of Winn-Dixie: Literature Circles

Word Wizard

Dear Word Wizard, Youre job is to find these ten words in the dictionary and write down their definitions. If there is more than one definition for a single word, look up the word in Winn-Dixie and use context clues to help you chose a definition. We have given you the page number in which it appears in Winn-Dixie as well as the paragraph, so finding each word will be no problem. You will report back to the rest of your group with your findings on Wednesday.

1) appetite (p.112 par3)______________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ __________ 2) melancholy(p.121 par 9)____________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ __________ 3) convinced (p. 143 par 1)___________________________________

___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ __________ 4) wobble (p.145 par 3)______________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ __________ 5) tragedies (p.125 par 3)_____________________________________ _____________________________________________________ ___ _____________________________________________________ ___ 6) sensation (p.110 par 1)____________________________________ _____________________________________________________ ___

_____________________________________________________ ___ 7) ingredient (p. 114 par 1)___________________________________ _____________________________________________________ ___ _____________________________________________________ ___ 8) shuffled (p. 150 par 3)_____________________________________ _____________________________________________________ ___ _____________________________________________________ ___ 9) downpour (p.156)________________________________________

_____________________________________________________ ___ _____________________________________________________ ___ 10) idle (p.125 par 3)_______________________________________ _____________________________________________________ ___ _____________________________________________________ ___

Passage Picker

Because of Winn-Dixie: Literature Circles

Dear Passage Picker, Your job is to pick three passages that have to do with making friends whether animal friends or human friends in Winn-Dixie. Your passages should not be more than a paragraph each. You need to copy the passage down on the lines given exactly as it appears in the book. Make sure to include the page number you found the passage on. On Thursday, you will report back to your group and help them answer the questions that are included in the packet after this page. Make sure you tell your group members where in the book you found these passages. Passage One: _______________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ Passage Two: ______________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ Passage Three: ______________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________

Group Questions: Use the passages from your Passage Picker to answer: 1) How does each passage relate to the idea of making friends? ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ _______________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ __________ 2) Do you think that animals can be friends with humans? If so, do your passages support this view? ________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ _______________

3) Which characters do you think are best friends? Do any of the three passages support your claim? If so, which one? _______________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ _______________ 4) Which passage shows a person making friends with someone who is very different from him/herself? What makes them different? ______________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ _______________

Discussion Director Literature Circles: Because of Winn-Dixie

Dear Discussion Director, Your job is to make up, on your own, five questions for your group. You are given space below to write your questions and their answers. Be sure to write down the answer to your question, as well as, the page number and paragraph number where your answers can be found. On Friday, you

will give the other members of your group the questions and they will answer them. After they are done, you will discuss the answers as a group.

Question One: ______________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ _____ Answer: ___________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ _____ _____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ __________ Question Two: ______________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ _____ Answer: ___________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________ _______________ Question Three: _____________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ _____ Answer: ___________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ _______________ Question Four: _____________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ _____ Answer: ___________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________ _______________ Question Five: ______________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ _____ Answer: ___________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ _______________

Story FrameFill in the Story Frame below with the correct answers. If you don't know the ending yet, you can come back to it after you finish the story, but this task should help you remember what happened in the beginning and middle of the book. You can use any one of the main characters to complete this task.

Once upon a time in (setting) there lived a (main character). He or she was very (use a descriptive word) and always liked to (character's favorite activity). One day (main character's name) wanted very much to (write in a goal of the main character). But there was a problem. The problem was (write in the

problem). So (main character) tried and tried and finally (write in how the character solved the problem). The story ends when (give the resolution to the problem and ending to the story).Use the space below to write in your answers. Once again, if you have not finished the book, you might think of some other problem that Opal or another character had that may have resolved itself, such as the time when Opal wanted the preacher to tell her ten things about her mother. Or, you might remember the problem Opal had when she wanted to buy Winn-Dixie a collar she could not afford. How did she solve that problem? If you need more space, ask for a white-lined piece of paper.

________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ____________________

Writing Prompt: End of Winn-Dixie Writing Activity

For the next couple of days, you will be working on one of two writing activities. This is a creative writing activity so when you choose a topic you may write what you want. Choice One: Add another chapter to the end of Because of Winn-Dixie. Where is Opal five years from now? What is she doing? Describe in detail a specific event that may have happened to Opal after the story ends. Choice Two: Maybe you want to change the end of Because of Winn-Dixie and write what you think should have happened. Change the ending of the story and write your own. Directions: * You will be given Monday and Tuesday to create a rough draft of your chapter. You will be given lined paper to write your draft which will be collected at the end of the period. On Wednesday and Thursday, you will work in pairs to edit your work. Attached is a checklist that will help you and your partner edit your chapter.* * Note: Your grammar notebook may be helpful in catching errors in your writing.* * Be sure to use your alphaboxes contained in this packet. Your alphaboxes will help you include important characters names, places, etc.* Remember that you are writing a chapter so the ending or continuation to the story that you write should be more than two paragraphs long. Be creative. This is your time to be an author.*

Peer-Editing ChecklistUse this sheet to help you edit your partners work.

Did you: ___ indent all paragraphs? ____ correct fragments and run-on sentences? ____ capitalize proper nouns? ____ use correct verb forms? ____ correct all spelling errors? ____ use correct punctuation?

Because of Winn DixieFinal Writing Activity

For my final writing activity, I chose: (circle one) Two

Choice One

Choice

________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ __ The following are Enhancement Activities for Because of Winn Dixie. If you finish an assignment early, feel free to complete these activities. They can help you with further understanding of the book and can also make the writing of your final project easier. These activities are not required and will only serve as extra credit in your final grade of the Because of Winn-Dixie Reading Packet. Enhancement Activity #1: Story Pyramid 1. ____________ 2. ___________________ 3.___________________________ 4. _________________________________ 5. ________________________________________ 6. _______________________________________________ 7. _____________________________________________________ 8. ___________________________________________________________

In the blank lines above, write the information for the following: 1. The name of the main character. 2. Two words describing the main character. 3. Three words describing the setting. 4. Four words describing the story problem.

5. Five words describing one event in the story. 6. Six words describing a second event in the story. 7. Seven words describing a third event in the story. 8. Eight words describing the solution to the problem. Enhancement Activity #2: A Talk with Kate DiCamillo The following is a transcript of an interview with the author of Because of Winn Dixie, Kate DiCamillo. Read the interview and write two more questions you would have asked if you had been the interviewer for Kids Reads. Kids Reads: Where did the idea for BECAUSE OF WINN-DIXIE come from? Kate DiCamillo: I think it came from longing: longing for home and longing for a dog. I wrote the story during the worst winter on record in Minnesota (brrrrr!) when I was missing Florida (where I grew up); also, my apartment building does not allow dogs. But imaginary dogs aren't against the rules. So I made one up to keep me (and Opal) company. Kids Reads: When did you decide that you wanted to write/illustrate children's books? Kate DiCamillo: I've always wanted to write and to tell stories; but I didn't start working on children's books until I got a job at a book warehouse on the children's floor. When I started reading some of the books, I was so impressed and moved that I decided I wanted to try it, too. Kids Reads: Have you had formal writing training? Kate DiCamillo: I have a Bachelor's of Art in English, which means I had a lot of formal training in READING. But all that reading has served me well as a writer, I think. Kids Reads: How do you support yourself (are you writing full-time?) Kate DiCamillo: I work full-time in a used bookstore. Kids Reads: What's a typical day like for you? Kate DiCamillo: I get up. I drink a cup of coffee. I think, ""the last thing I want to do is write,"" then I go to the computer and write. My goal is two pages a day, five days a week. I like that Dorothy Parker quote: ""I hate writing, I love having

written."" I never want to write, but I'm always glad that I have done it. After I write, I go to work at the bookstore. Kids Reads: And what would be your ideal arrangement? Kate DiCamillo: Ideally, I'd like to work part time at the bookstore. That would give me more time to contend with all the ""office work"" of writing: answering mail, returning phone calls, submitting manuscripts, going to the post office, etc. Kids Reads: Whose work has influenced you? Kate DiCamillo: As an adult reading children's books, I have been deeply influenced by Katherine Paterson, Karen Hesse and Patricia MacLachlan. Kids Reads: What was your favorite book(s) as a kid? Kate DiCamillo: I read everything I could get my hands on when I was a kid. And I loved it all. Some favorites were: THE TWENTY-ONE BALLOONS, THE SECRET GARDEN, THE YEARLING, RIBSY and a strange little book called SOMEBODY ELSE'S SHOES. Kids Reads: Were there books you loved as a child that continue to be important to you as either models or inspiration for the work you do now? Kate DiCamillo: Every well-written book is a light for me. When you write, you use other writers and their books as guides in the wilderness. I am deeply appreciative of all those writers who work hard to tell their stories right and true, thereby showing me the way to tell my own stories. Kids Reads: What kind of attention have you received for your book (reviews, signings, newspaper articles, school visits, etc.)? Kate DiCamillo: BECAUSE OF WINN-DIXIE has gotten a lot of (mostly good) reviews; and I have done quite a few signings at bookstores, libraries and conferences. The local newspaper did a feature article on the book (and me!). And I have received phone calls and letters from people (kids and adults) who liked the book and wanted to let me know. Kids Reads: Has this changed your life in any way? Kate DiCamillo: Yes! I am busier now than I ever imagined I would be; but I feel blessed in that I have found what I am supposed to be doing with my life. It's wonderful to tell stories and have people listen to them. Kids Reads: What has been the biggest thrill about having your first children's book published?

Kate DiCamillo: Hands down, the biggest thrill is to get a letter from a kid saying, "I loved your book. Will you write me another one?" Kids Reads: What are you working on now? Kate DiCamillo: Right now, I am working on a collection of short stories for adults and a novel for young adults. Kids Reads: Do you have any books scheduled for publication? Kate DiCamillo: THE TIGER RISING, a young adult novel, is scheduled for publication by Candlewick Press in March of 2001. Kids Reads: What are they about? Kate DiCamillo: THE TIGER RISING is a book about a boy named Rob Horton who finds a tiger in a cage in the woods and who, on the same day he discovers the tiger, also meets a girl named Sistine Bailey. The story is about what happens when you share your heart with somebody else; and it is also about the danger of keeping things locked up. --- Shannon Maughan Additional questions of your choosing: 1. ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ __________

2. ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ __________

Kate DiCamillo, author Seventh Grade Language Arts Unit Calendar MondayNov. 1 Unit: Because of Winn-Dixie Journal writing Grammar: commas in a series Reading: ~Knowledge-Rating Vocabulary graphic organizer ~read ch. 5-6 Nov. 8 Unit: Alphaboxes Journal writing Journal Writing Spelling: definitions Reading: ~Alphaboxes intro ~read ch. 11-12 ~questions Spelling: check puzzle Spelling: ~check paragraph Grammar: fragments ~pre-test Spelling: test Grammar: fragments Journal Writing Journal Writing

Tuesday

Wednesday

ThursdayNov. 5

Friday

Nov. 2 Nov. 3 Nov. 4 Unit: Because of Winn- Unit: Because of WinnDixie Dixie Journal writing Grammar: comma extension Reading: ~Vocab. Definitions ~read ch. 7-8 ~questions Journal writing Quiz: Ch. 1-7 of WinnDixie Reading: ~check puzzle ~read ch. 9-10 ~questions

No School Teachers Convention

No School Teachers Convention

Homework: Spelling paragraph Nov. 9 Nov. 10 Unit: Grammar/ Vocab Unit: Vocab Enhancement Enhancement

Nov. 11 Nov. 12 Unit: Grammar/ Vocab Enhancement

No school Ramadan Observation

Reading: ~work on Alphabox Homework: spelling ~read ch. 13-14 puzzle Homework: ~grammar ditto ~spelling paragraph

Quiz: Ch. 8-13 of Winn- Reading: ~read ch. 17-18 Dixie ~questions Reading: Homework: ~fragment ~work on Alphabox ditto ~read ch. 15-16 ~Winn-Dixie extra credit ~questions worksheet Homework: 10x on misspelled words

Nov. 15 Unit: Cooperative Learning Journal Writing

Nov. 16 Unit: Cooperative Learning Social Studies Test

Nov. 17 Unit: Cooperative Learning / vocab. Journal Writing Grammar: review Reading: ~Lit. Cricles:-Word Wizard -Character Sketcher

Nov. 18 Unit: Cooperative Learning / friendship Journal Writing Grammar: test Reading: ~Lit. Circles: - Passage Picker -questions ~read ch. 25-26 Homework: vocab. paragraph Nov. 25

Nov. 19 Unit: Cooperative Learning / discussion Journal Writing Reading: ~Lit. Circles-Discussion Director

Grammar: fragments Reading: ~Winn-Dixie ditto Reading: ~literature circle prep ~Literature Circles ~read ch. 21-22 intro & assignments ~read ch. 19-20 Homework: lit circle ~questions final preparation

~finish Because of Winn-Dixie Enhancement: Language Arts Jeopardy Nov. 26

~read ch. 23-24 Homework: vocab. puzzle Nov. 24 HALF DAY Unit: Creative Brainstorming Journal Writing Grammar: ~check homework ~review run-ons

Nov. 22 Unit: Reading Comprehension Journal Writing Grammar: run-ons Reading: ~Story Frame ~catch-up Homework: grammar ditto Nov. 29 Unit: Creative Writing Journal Writing Spelling: definitions Reading: ~Wrap-up Writing Activity

Nov. 23 Unit: Reading Comprehension Journal Writing Grammar: ~check homework ~run-ons

No School Thanksgiving

No School Thanksgiving Break

Reading: Reading: ~Final TEST on ~brainstorm for final Because of Winn-Dixie creative writing activity Homework: grammar ditto Nov. 30 Unit: Creative Writing Journal Writing Journal Writing Spelling: check 10x each Grammar: Writing Dialogue Journal Writing Journal Writing Spelling: test Reading: ~Completed Reading Activity Packet Due Spelling: check puzzle Spelling: ~check paragraph Grammar: ~pre-test Writing Dialogue Reading: ~final draft of writing Reading: activity ~Peer-editing Homework: ~spelling paragraph Homework: ~10x each misspelled words

Dec. 1 Unit: Cooperative Learning

Dec. 2 Dec. 3 Unit: Because of Winn- Unit: Vocabulary Dixie wrap-up Enhancement

Reading: Homework: spelling ~Wrap-up Writing 10x each Activity Homework: spelling puzzle

Because of Winn-DixieReading Activity Packet Final Grading Rubric Student name: ____________________________________________________

ActivityKnowledge-Rating Vocabulary

Possible Points10 points

Earned Points

To Think About Questions (5) Alphaboxes Literature Circles: Part: 1. Individual Grade: 2. Group Grade: Story Frame Peer-Editing Reading Activity Packet Total Enhancement #1 Enhancement #2 Enhancement #3 Total Points with Extra Credit Teacher Comments:

7 points each (35 total) 10 points

15 points 15 points 10 points 5 points 100 points 5 points added 5 points added 5 points added 115 possible points