Finally I decided to find out what all hubbub was about and got my own copy. After reading it in one sitting, I knew. Wonder is one of those books that stays with you long after finishing. After reading it once I changed my lesson plans to make it our class's next read aloud book. I immediately started rereading. And I started writing.
I'm not going to write a full synopsis here. That's readily available elsewhere. But it doesn't matter. You don't need one. Wonder is a book you should read. Wonder is a book you should share. Wonder is a book you should discuss. Parents, children, teachers, students, everyone.
As I planned our class read aloud, I wanted to help students see and hear what the main character, August, shared with readers. Most sections of the book are introduced by song lyrics, and songs play a role on several key scenes. Auggie also uses numerous Star Wars references, and face it, you don't know who Mon Mothma or Lobot are off the top of your head either, just like I didn't. So I created a visual guide for Wonder to share with my class and posted it on my class blog.
These resources are what I started writing as I prepared for our read aloud. Here are links to each section.
Wonder - Part One: August
Wonder - Pages 1-26
Wonder - Pages 27-50
Wonder - Pages 51-80
Wonder - Part Two: Via
Wonder - Pages 81-117
Wonder - Part Three: Summer
Wonder - Pages 118-132
Wonder - Part Four: Jack
Wonder - Pages 133-157
Wonder - Pages 158-185
Wonder - Part Five: Justin
Wonder - Pages 186-204
Wonder - Part Six: August
Wonder - Pages 205-234
Wonder - Part Seven: Miranda
Wonder - Pages 235-248
Wonder - Part Eight: August
Wonder - Pages 248-274
Wonder - Pages 275-293
Wonder - Pages 294-315, The End
Wonder - Pages 27-50
Wonder - Pages 51-80
Wonder - Part Two: Via
Wonder - Pages 81-117
Wonder - Part Three: Summer
Wonder - Pages 118-132
Wonder - Part Four: Jack
Wonder - Pages 133-157
Wonder - Pages 158-185
Wonder - Part Five: Justin
Wonder - Pages 186-204
Wonder - Part Six: August
Wonder - Pages 205-234
Wonder - Part Seven: Miranda
Wonder - Pages 235-248
Wonder - Part Eight: August
Wonder - Pages 248-274
Wonder - Pages 275-293
Wonder - Pages 294-315, The End
33 comments:
This is just too cool! Thank you for sharing your plan in its entirety. I think read-alouds in later grades are great, and not done enough.
Can't wait to read this when it comes into my collection!
I'm glad you like the information. You won't be disappointed with the book.
Bookmarked your post! I definitely will use your visual guide next year when I read WONDER to my class.
Amy, you could always start your read aloud now. Just sayin'.
Thank you so much for sharing-I will begin reading Wonder to my class next week-can't wait
It's a great time and a great experience reading it aloud to students. Enjoy!
About how long did it take for the read aloud--how many minutes a day for how many days?
The read aloud took all of March, right up until spring break. Between reading, discussing, watching videos, viewing the website, and a few short activities, we spent about 45-60 minutes a day. It turned into a full-blown unit, more than just a read aloud.
Thank you so much, our summer school group is going to use your site. Thanks!
Great to hear. Hope summer school goes great for you and the students.
Thanks for sharing your read aloud presentation! I linked it to my blog (teacherwillrunforbooks.blogspot.com) it's just too awesome to not share :) Happy Teaching & Reading!
Thanks for sharing the resource. Glad you found it helpful.
Thank you so much for sharing. Wonderful ideas and resources.
Brian, this is a great unit. I'm in the middle of reading this and cannot put it down. Thank you so much for sharing your hard work with the rest of us teachers.
Barbara and Karen, thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts, but thanks especially for using such an incredible book with young readers.
Wow! This is amazing!! I loved Wonder and received a grant this year to order copies for my students. I am so excited and when I cam across your site I was ecstatic. You have done a fantastic job putting this together. Thank you so much for sharing!!
Wow. This is tremendous. I can't wait to utilize this tomorrow for our first day of school. I am certain this will be an invaluable resource. Thank you!
This is terrific, thank you so much! I started sharing the book with my sixth graders today. 8-)
I wasn't planning to read Wonder until November, but I was showing my kids the book trailer and they were so excited that I started it today. These resources are great!
Thank you so much! I read Wonder over the summer, and am anxious to start the read aloud with my fifth grade class later this week. Your site is extremely helpful!
You have done such a wonderful job with this site. I am an elementary counselor and will be doing a book study with Wonder in my 5th grade classes as part of my guidance lessons. I am so happy to have found your site. Thank you!
Thank you so much for this fantastic resource. My fifth grade class just finished reading the book together. Prior to sending them off to read independently, we would preview each chapter on our promethean board. You made the book exponentially more interesting than anything I would have come up with. Now they are asking for the next book but, honestly, I don't know if I'm going to be able to find something to top Wonder. Any ideas are greatly appreciated. Thanks again.
King, glad you enjoyed using the resources.
For your next book, maybe give your class something completely different. Something like H.I.V.E. or The Hero's Guide to Saving your Kingdom or short stories from Guys Read or silly nonfiction like Uncle John's Bathroom Readers for Kids or ... well, you get the picture. Something were kids won't really be able to compare to Wonder.
Let me know what you decide.
This is fantastic. It really brings the book to life, which many kids need to make connections. I can't imagine the investment of time you made to gather the resources for your students, and thankfully ours, too.
Thank you so much for this. Wonder is one of the best books I've ever read, especially with the 6th graders...they love it! This really was a great opener everyday. To give them some more understanding and some visuals.
THANK YOU! I used all your Wonder resources with my fifth graders as we read the book. And while your resources greatly improved the comprehension of my kids with Asperger's syndrome or language processing disorders, they also enhanced the comprehension of all my kids. So many light-bulb moments, thanks to you, Brian. I just really appreciate all your time, effort, and resourcefulness to create this reference tool. Finally, Wonder itself is a call to all of us to be better human beings, and as such, I wanted my kids to deeply reflect on its messages, so they are currently writing five-paragraph essays about it. So, in your spirit of sharing, here are my prompts (which can likely be improved on), incase you’re interested. Thanks again!
Wonder Essay Prompts
What was the author’s purpose for writing Wonder? In other words, what important messages (or lessons) do you think the author hopes readers will learn? (Choose three.)
A precept is a general rule intended to regulate behavior or thought. An inscription on an Egyptian tomb, “Your deeds are your monuments,” is an excellent example of a precept. Choose three characters from the book who show just how true this precept is.
August received the Henry Ward Beecher medal because, “He is the greatest whose strength carries up the most hearts.” Why was Auggie so deserving of this award? (Choose three reasons.)
I can't thank you enough for this wonderful resource. My class gets so excited when they see my turning on the computer and picking up Wonder to read. The links to the songs are so great too. What a big hit and great way to share a novel with kids. Love it!
Sorry if this already posted. Is this okay to read to fourth graders? THanks and thnaks for your resources.
TeacherMom,
Yes, I'd say it's appropriate for fourth grade. The main characters in the book are in fifth grade.
Brian
I am an ESL teacher in high school. I teach in a middle/high school combine of 600 ESL students ONLY. We are reading WONDER as a school wide read aloud over the PA every morning. I will definitely be using your plan with the rest of the book as well as using it as a review with my high school ESL English students. Thank-you.
I'm using this book in a class with several ESL students, also. Your Web site is AMAZING. Thank you so much. This really helps build schema.
Reading to my students, using your page....they are in love and ask why I haven't done this for ALL the books I have read to them. ha! I usually look up pictures for things to show them, but this is perfect. I plan on doing this for a couple other books this summer. Thank you!!
Post a Comment