Grade 3: A Tail-Wagging Celebration
After completing the book "Because of Winn-Dixie," Grade 3 students celebrated the end of their reading unit with a party inspired by the story.
Throughout the unit, students explored characters, key events, and themes through both whole-class discussions and book clubs. As part of their character study, they examined how individuals in the story change over time and how their actions influence the plot.
To conclude the unit, educators and students recreated the party from the book in the classroom. Classrooms were decorated with colorful streamers, just like the gathering at Gloria Dump’s house, and students enjoyed foods connected to the characters, including Gloria Dump’s punch, Otis’ pickles, Littmus W. Block’s “lozenges,” and Opal’s sandwiches.
During the celebration, students also viewed key scenes from the 2005 film adaptation of "Because of Winn-Dixie," discussing how the scenes compared to the book and reflecting on important moments.
The celebration gave students an opportunity to experience a scene from the story and revisit key moments from their reading.
Graland Country Day School
Graland Country Day School is a private school in Denver, Colorado, serving students in preschool, kindergarten, elementary, and middle school. Founded in Denver in 1927, Graland incorporates a rich, experiential learning approach in a traditional classroom setting, emphasizing the development of globally and socially conscious leaders who excel academically.
