Lesson Type: Close Reading
Grade 4, Unit 1, Lesson # 6
Text or pages (if applicable): Because of Winn-Dixie, pp. 72-78
Close Reading, Repeating Aim
SWBAT closely read a text and demonstrate deep understanding
through paraphrasing (literal comprehension), responses to
inferential questions (analysis), and by analyzing theme through
response or debate (theme).
Teacher: ________
Date(s) of Execution: ________
Relevant Standard:
RL.4.1 Refer to details and examples in a text when explaining
what the text says explicitly and when drawing inferences from
the text.
RL.4.3: Describe in depth a character, setting, or event in a story
or drama by drawing on specific details in the text (e.g., a
character's thoughts, words, or actions).
Culminating TDQ :
What is Kate DiCamillo trying to tell the reader about the
Preacher in this thunderstorm scene? How do you know?
Exemplar Response:
Kate DiCamillo is trying to show the reader that the Preacher is
patient and loving. During this scene where Winn-Dixie is tearing
everything up in the trailer, he remains calm and instead of
getting angry, he talks about how careful they’re going to have
to be with Winn-Dixie because there are so many thunderstorms
in Florida.
Agenda:
Do Now (5 min)
Hook (2 min)
Intro/Framing (2 min)
First read + questions (20 min)
Second read + questions (20 min)
Third read + questions (20 min)
Independent response (15 min)
Criteria for Success:
 A claim about a character trait (or traits) the author is
trying to portray of the preacher in this scene of the
book
 Textual evidence that supports that claim
Materials:

Class set of photocopied pages 72-78 of BOWD so
scholars can mark up the text
Opening
Frame of lesson
Close Reading Lesson
[Classroom teacher fills out]
Hook
[Classroom teacher fills out]
[Classroom teacher fills out]
Independent
Response to
TDQ
Third Read: Analysis
Level
Second Read: Annotations
First Read: Literal Level
Directions:
Questions to help
scholars “get the
gist”
Question
What is the big event in this
section?
What do we learn about
Winn-Dixie in this section?
Exemplar Response
The thunderstorm and
Winn-Dixie’s reaction to it
We learn that he is very
afraid of thunderstorms.
Method of Response
Hands raised
Hands raised
In just 3-4 sentences,
summarize the entire
section.
Directions for
Annotations:
Discussion Questions
post annotations
Inferential / Analysis
TDQs
In this section, there is a
Independent writing
thunderstorm and it really
scares Winn-Dixie. He goes
flying around the house and
the Preacher and Opal work
to calm him down and
figure out what to do about
it. They decide that they’re
going to have to work hard
to keep him safe.
 Read through pp. 72-78 again
 This time annotate the text using the following annotations:
o ! = Something you really like – an author’s description, an event,
something a character says
o ? = Something you’re confused about and want to talk more about
o ____ = Underline anything that stands out to you
 Scholars will independently annotate for 10 min
 Scholars will get with a partner to:
o Share one thing that they liked (!) and why they liked it. Each partner
should share at least one thing
o Share one thing they’re confuse about or want to talk more about and
help each other figure out that portion
Scholars work independently at first to answer the question:
 On p. 78, Opal said that it was hard for her to talk. Why was it so hard?
Scholars then work in pairs to share their responses and create one shared response that
combines their ideas.
Teacher opens up the question for discussion and asks one pair to share
Class works together to come up with a strong response
Scholars work independently to answer the culminating TDQ