Wonder

Wonder

R.J. Palacio

Publish date 2012

Grade 5

Published by Alfred A. Knopf

Reading Level: 790L

2 starred reviews:

* Starred Review, Booklist, February 1, 2012:

“Palacio makes it feel not only effortless but downright graceful, and by the stand-up-and-cheer conclusion, readers will be doing just that, and feeling as if they are part of this troubled but ultimately warm-hearted community.”

* Starred Review, School Library Journal, February 2012:

"Palacio has an exceptional knack for writing realistic conversation and describing the thoughts and emotions of the characters. Everyone grows and develops as the story progresses, especially the middle school students. This is a fast read and would be a great discussion starter about love, support, and judging people on their appearance. A well-written, thought-provoking book."

Summary:

Wonder, by R.J. Palacio follows the journey of Auggie Pullman through the next transition in his life. Auggie was born with a facial abnormality but does everything else the same way as everybody else. Auggie has been homeschooled his entire life to protect him from the cruelty of the outside world. For the first time Auggie is being sent to public school and he has been dreading it. All Auggie wants to is to be accepted by his new classmates. But can Auggie prove that besides his facial abnormality that he is ordinary just like everybody else is the true question.

Description: Diversity

Suggested Delivery: Small/Whole Group

Electronic Resources (2):

Quizlet

            This is a link to premade flash cards of the vocabulary covered in the text. This can be used as a pre, during, and after reading activity.

Padlet

            This is a link to Padlet. Either the teacher or students can create a Padlet based on the text. The students can then comment on the Padlet during a read aloud or as homework to justify that they read. This can be done as a during or after reading activity.

Vocabulary:

            Alignment – arrangement

            Decisively – displaying little to no hesitation

            Forewarned – inform someone of danger

            Exasperated – infuriate or irritate intensely

            Horrific – causing high rate of mortality

            Plague –an epidemic disease that causes high mortality

            Retrospect –looking back on things past

            Anomalies – something that is noticeable because it is different

            Biracial – representing or including people from two different races

           

Teaching Suggestions:

·      Use this book to teach about what is on the inside is all that matters

·      Use this book to learn what others with abnormalities go through

·      Use this book to teach about how to accept others for who they really are.

Pre Reading: Students will be told the title of the text, Wonder. The students will be asked to write a journal entry predicting what they believe the text will be about.
 

During Reading: Students will complete fishbowl discussions after every section. The discussions will mostly be student led regarding what they have read in the book thus far. This should include questions and comments about the book, as well as opinions.

After Reading: Students will participate in a popcorn review, as well as a small debate. The debate should be revolved around if the child would accept someone who is different from them or not with reasoning.

Writing Activity: Students will complete a reading report. This will be a short essay. This will include all the bibliographic information about the text, a summary of what happened in the text, and what the student liked/disliked about the text. The student should include if they would recommend the text, why/why not, and what was one thing that the student wishes the author did differently.