Kate DiCamillo Author Study
Kate DiCamillo won a Newbery Medal in 2004 for The Tale of Despereaux: Being the Story of a Mouse, a Princess, Some Soup, and a Spool of Thread. The film version of the book will be released on December 19, 2008.
Start your author study by reading a short biography of Kate DiCamillo and choosing some of her books to read. You can also see a list of her favorite books. Then use the activities and lessons below to have fun with DiCamillo's charming characters and lively stories. Find more information about Kate DiCamillo on her Web site.
Also be sure to watch The Today Show on December 12, 2008, when The Tale of Despereaux will be the featured book on Al's Book Club for Kids.
Download the Tale of Despereaux Teaching Plan PDF which includes a movie poster and printable student worksheets.
Articles
Books and Resources for Teaching Because of Winn-Dixie
Books and Resources for fans of Because of Winn-Dixie and professional resources for teaching Because of Winn-Dixie.
Resources
Kate DiCamillo Interview Transcript
by Kate DiCamillo
On January 27 and January 28, 2005, Newbery-winning author Kate DiCamillo was interviewed by Scholastic students and teachers. DiCamillo is the author of Because of Winn-Dixie, The Tiger Rising, and The Tale of Despereaux.
Activities
Because of Winn Dixie Flashlight Readers
Online activities to help kids explore the novel Because of Winn Dixie.
Because of Winn-Dixie Readers Theater Script
Gather students together and bring the story of Because of Winn-Dixie to life. There are 11 roles in this play, but the same actor can play more than one part.
Because of Winn-Dixie Discussion Guide
Discussion Guide for Katie DiCamillo's Because of Winn-Dixie.
Because of Winn-Dixie Extension Activity
Extension Activity for Kate DiCamillo's "Because of Winn-Dixie."
Because of Winn-Dixie Lesson Plan
by Lauren Gold
When 10-yr-old India moves to Naomi, Florida she befriends a lively stray dog and the canine helps her meet some unusual characters who teach her about love, life, and forgiveness.
Tale of Despereaux Discussion Guide
Welcome to the story of Despereaux Tilling, a mouse who is in love with music, stories, and a princess named Pea. It is also the story of a rat called Roscuro, who lives in the darkness and covets a world filled with light.
Tale of Despereaux Extension Activity
Welcome to the story of Despereaux Tilling, a mouse who is in love with music, stories, and a princess named Pea. It is also the story of a rat called Roscuro, who lives in the darkness and covets a world filled with light.
Lesson Plans
About the Author: Kate DiCamillo
Students make connections between the author Kate DiCamillo's life and her work, Because of Winn-Dixie, including the writing process.
Stump the Dump Maze Game
Students reunite Because of Winn-Dixie characters Opal and Winn-Dixie in this timed reading comprehension maze game. They demonstrate their understanding of the novel's plot, theme, and settings.
Because of Winn-Dixie Scrapbook
Students analyze the story Because of Winn-Dixie's main characters by creating online scrapbooks in which they identify character traits and use textual evidence to support their ideas.
A Lively Read of the Tale of Despereaux
by Ruth Manna
Second graders experience the joy and richness of literature as their teacher introduces them to The Tale of Despereaux.
Because of Winn-Dixie Unit Plan
Students build their knowledge of plot, character, setting, and theme as well as the writing process by participating in activities related to the book Because of Winn-Dixie.
