Wonder Lesson Plans

I wanted to bring in the book Wonder for its themes of kindness, acceptance, diversity, and disability. In
these lessons I read aloud to the students followed by an activity. After the Precept Poster assignment we
broadened our discussion of kindness and read two children's books on kindness to make further
connections.
In the end, I only read a short section of the book in all but I hope that students would now be interested
to read it on their own.

1. Making Connections
a. Text to self, text to text, text to world
2. Visualization
a. As you listen, make a list of words, phrases, or descriptions that create an image
in your mind
b. Pick one that stood out the most to you, that you think is most significant, and
draw it and explain why you chose it
3. Writing in Role
a. Write a journal entry about meeting August from the POV of Jack, Julian, or
Charlotte
4. Role Play
a. In groups of 4, role play August and the other kids talking about:
i. favourite movies
ii. getting lockers at school
iii. school bullying
5. Precept Posters - assign
a. Show slideshow of images for inspiration and go over criteria
6. Precept Posters - collect / discuss
a. Class vote for top posters to be recognized based on: 1) meaning behind the
message; 2) effectiveness as a poster.
b. Outcome: Three winning posters + one bonus recognition for creative image
were enlarged and printed at a print shop
7. Kindness Topic
a. Read "Did you fill a bucket today?"
i. Write a reflection: 'What' and 'So what'
b. Class activity
i. Each student will write their name on half a blank sheet of paper.
Crumple and toss the paper into a pile. Each student randomly selects
one of the papers and writes a positive adjective or sentence describing
that person. Toss again and repeat for a second person. Then return
papers to the person it belongs to.
c. Read "Each Kindness"
i. Write a reflection: 'What' and 'So what'

Name: _____________________
Date: _____________________

Wonder by R.J. Palacio

Making Connections
Section:_____________________

Text-to-Text

How do the ideas in this text remind you of

another text (story, book, movie, song,
etc)? You may write about one of the
following statements:
This story reminds me of ______
(story/book/movie/song) because...
The ideas in this text are similar to
the ideas in ______ because.
The ideas in this text are different
than the ideas in _____ because.

Text-to-Self

How do the ideas in this text relate to your

own life, ideas and experiences? You may
write about one of the following
statements:
This story reminds me of the time
when I.
I agree with/understand this story
because in my own life...
I don't agree with this story
because in my own life...

Text-to-World

How do the ideas in this text relate to the

larger world past, present and future?
You may write about one of the following
statements:
This story makes me think about
______ (event from the past)
because
This story makes me think about
______ (event from today related
to my own community, nation or
world) because.
This story makes me wonder about
the future because.

Name: _____________________
Date: _____________________

Wonder by R.J. Palacio

Precept Poster Assignment

Due: Monday, Mar. 23, 2015
Instructions
If you were to choose your favourite precept that says something about "Who We Are,"
or in other words, "Who YOU Are," what would it be? What do you believe in?

Create your own precept or find one that is well-known from a book, movie, song,
famous person, or passed down through history from any culture around the
world.
Design a poster for your precept. Requirements are:
o blank paper, 8.5 x 11" size
o drawn by hand
o text stands out on the page and is readable from 2 m away
o text is designed with size, colour, font style, and meaning in mind
o poster has background design and/or image of something
o completed in fineliner, marker, coloured pencil, and/or paint. No pencil.
Marking Rubric

Understanding
Demonstration
that instructions
and concepts
are understood.

Craftsmanship
/ Skill
Neatness,
precision, care.

Extraordinary
(5)

Above average
(4)

Average
(3)

Below average
(2)

The artwork and

text is planned
carefully;
understanding
of all concepts
and instructions
is clearly
shown.

The artwork and

text is planned
carefully;
understanding
of most
concepts and
instructions is
shown.

The artwork and

text is planned
adequately;
understanding
of some
concepts and
instructions is
shown.

The artwork and

text is planned
roughly;
understanding
of few concepts
and instructions
is shown.

The artwork and

text shows
outstanding
craftsmanship,
with clear
attention to
detail.

The artwork and

text shows good
craftsmanship,
with clear
attention to
detail.

The artwork and

text shows
average
craftsmanship
and attention to
detail.

The artwork and

text shows
below average
craftsmanship
and little
attention to
detail.

Poor
(1)