Animals

Ever heard the phrase, A dog is a man’s best friend? In these stories, learn about two canines who most certainly prove the truthfulness of that line. These animals teach their owners about true loyalty, friendship, and love. Winn-Dixie helps Opal and her father come to terms with Opal’s mother’s disappearance, and come together as a family again. Old Yeller teaches Travis how to take care of his family and a farm, save their crops, and say goodbye. What other lessons can we learn from animals? That’s what we’re going to figure out.
 
Day and Time: Thursdays, 12:45 PM - 1:45 PM ET
Class Duration: 4 Weeks
Dates: January 9-30, 2025
Recommended for: Ages 9+ / Grades 4-5
Teacher: TTK Faculty
Required materials: 
Because of Winn-Dixie, by Kate DiCamillo
Old Yeller, by Fred Gipson
 
Because of Winn-Dixie, Kate DiCamillo
One summer’s day, ten-year-old India Opal Buloni goes down to the local supermarket for some groceries—and comes home with a dog. But Winn-Dixie is no ordinary dog. It’s because of Winn-Dixie that Opal begins to make friends. And it’s because of Winn-Dixie that she finally dares to ask her father about her mother, who left when Opal was three. In fact, as Opal admits, just about everything that happens that summer is because of Winn-Dixie.
 
Old Yeller, by Fred Gipson
When his father sets out on a cattle drive for the summer, fourteen-year-old Travis is left to take care of his family and their farm, and he faces new, unanticipated and often perilous responsibilities in the wilderness of early frontier Texas. But Travis is not alone. He finds help and comfort in the courage and unwavering love of the stray animal who comes to be his most loyal and very best friend: the big yellow dog Travis calls "Old Yeller."
 
See more literature classes: thethinkingkid.org/literature
See more classes for ages 9+ / grades 4-5: thethinkingkid.org/grades-4-5