5 Doggone Good Because of Winn Dixie Activities to Bring the Book to Life

July 20, 2025

Need a few Because of Winn Dixie activities to round out your lesson plans? Here are some delightful edeas to bring the book to life! If you’re anything like me, there are a few books that just stick with you—the kind that wrap themselves around your heart and don’t let go. Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo is one of those stories. It’s warm, funny, a little bittersweet, and full of moments that make your students pause and say, “Wait… that reminds me of something in my life!”

A Quick Refresher (in case it’s been a minute):

Ten-year-old India Opal Buloni moves to a new town and ends up adopting a big, scruffy dog she finds in a grocery store. Thanks to that dog—Winn-Dixie, of course—Opal begins to meet some unforgettable characters, uncover family secrets, and, most importantly, find a sense of belonging. It’s the kind of story that opens up space for big feelings, thoughtful discussions, and lots of giggles. (Plus, who doesn’t want to imagine a dog traipsing through a grocery store like he owns the place?)

Now for the Fun Part: Because of Winn Dixie Activities You’ll Love

Whether you’re diving into a full-on novel study or reading the book aloud to your class for the joy of it, bring the book to life in your classroom with these creative, hands-on Because of Winn-Dixie activities:

Character Reflection Journals

First on the list of Becuase of Winn Dixie activities is a practical one that hits a core standard for upper elementary ELA. Have students keep a journal as they read, writing from Opal’s perspective—or even Winn-Dixie’s (imagine the sass!). Prompt them with questions like:

“What did I learn about friendship today?”
“How did Miss Franny Block surprise me?”
“Why does Otis play music for the animals, and what would I play if I were him?”

This kind of writing not only builds empathy but sneaks in some fabulous reflective practice. Win-win! While you could dedicate a section of a writing journal to character connections, I’ve got an even easier solution for you. Grab this free character reflection journal that you can use with any book.

The Winn-Dixie Grocery Cart Challenge

Next on the list of Because of Winn Dixie activities is the grocery cart challenge. Chapter 1 throws the reader into the action right away by having Winn Dixie create all sorts of chaos at the grocery store. It might even leave your students wondering, what was a dog doing at the grocery store in the first place? Let their imaginations run wild and pretend that he was there on purpose. After reading Chapter 1, invite students to create a grocery list for Winn-Dixie. What would a big, goofy dog want from the store? Meat? Peanut butter? Dog shampoo? Maybe a pair of sunglasses? Let them get creative—and illustrate it! You can even display their finished masterpieces with the title “What’s in Winn-Dixie’s Shopping Cart?”

Host a Littmus Lozenge Taste Test

Why not tap into all 5 senses with your Because of Winn Dixie activities! Once students read about Littmus Lozenges, it’s hard not to get curious. Give your class a little taste test with a few candies—some sweet, some tangy, maybe even one that’s a little salty. Then have students write their own “Littmus Lozenge Memory” paragraph. What memory would this magical candy bring up for them?

Create a “Because of Winn-Dixie” Friendship Tree

Next on the list of Because of Winn Dixie activities is a friendship tree. Opal meets so many new people because of Winn-Dixie—and each one teaches her something. The scene in the book where Miss Gloria Dump explains the tree in her yard is a pivitol one full of symbolism and offers huge clues as to the theme of the book. Help students remember that scene and the symbolism of the tree by creating a classroom tree display where students write the name of each character on a leaf and jot down what that person teaches Opal (or what lesson they think that character represents). It’s a great way to tie in themes and character development while making something beautiful together!

Make Life Easy With a Ready-to-Go Because of Winn Dixie Activities in a Novel Study

If you’re reading this and thinking, “These are Because of Winn Dixie activities are great, but where’s the structure?”—I’ve got you covered, friend! I highly recommend checking out this Because of Winn-Dixie Novel Study on TPT.

It’s packed with vocabulary, chapter-by-chapter comprehension questions, and thoughtful Because of Winn Dixie activities that are easy to prep and perfect for guided reading groups, independent work, or whole-class discussions. Honestly, it’s one of those resources that makes you look extra organized and on top of things—even if your coffee is cold and your copies jammed the printer again this morning.

These Because of Winn-Dixie activities will only highlight an already great book. It is one of those special books that opens the door to meaningful conversations, rich writing, and lots of laughter. Sometimes silly, sometimes serious and sweet, it’s perfect for 3rd and 4th graders who are learning to dig a little deeper in their reading. Whether you go full-on novel study or just sprinkle in a few Because of Winn Dixie activities, your students are going to remember this one.

There you have it! 5 Becuase of Winn Dixie activities to bring the story to life in our classroom. So grab your copy (and maybe a dog biscuit or two), and get ready for some tail-waggin’ reading fun!

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