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Copywork
About This Passage
This is the first picture Opal gives us of her father. Notice how she does not say 'my dad is shy' or 'my dad is quiet' — she shows us a turtle. Writers call this a metaphor: you describe one thing by comparing it to another thing so readers can SEE it in their minds. The sentence is also gentle, not angry. Opal loves the preacher even while she wishes he would stick his head out. Copying the sentence helps children practice the rhythm of a long, careful idea — 'in there thinking about things and not ever sticking his head out into the world' all flows without breaking.
Sometimes he reminded me of a turtle hiding inside its shell, in there thinking about things and not ever sticking his head out into the world.
Full copywork activity with handwriting lines available in the complete study guide.
Discussion Questions
Narration Prompt
Tell the story of this chapter. When Opal asks the preacher if Winn-Dixie can stay, what does Winn-Dixie do, and why does it matter?
Discussion Questions
- Opal says the preacher was 'like a turtle hiding inside its shell.' What does she mean by that? What in the story makes you think so?
- Opal tells the preacher the dog is a 'less fortunate,' which is a word he uses at church. Was that a smart thing to say, or was it a trick? Is a trick that helps a sad dog a wrong thing to do? What in the story makes you think so?
+ 2 more questions in the complete study guide
Critical Thinking
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