Wonder by r. j. palacio - Doral Academy Preparatory

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This PowerPoint Presentation is a collection of all of the prompts in the Read-Aloud Teacher Guide and Literary Log. Students could be directed to respond to the writing prompts in their own notebooks or iPads/computers. If using iPads or computers, those Individual Student Responses could easily be emailed to the teacher for viewing and comments. Each slide is labeled with the titles of each part and includes any pertinent vocabulary that may demand additional explanations or definitions to facilitate comprehension. Slides are designed to engage students and help them focus on the prompts. Graphics are intended to engage students while providing visual clues to the prompts.

 Look at the caricature:

Who do you think it is? Does the caricature give you any clues to the character it represents?  Who is Fate?  What do you think destiny means?

 Fate smiled and destiny laughed as

she came to my cradle… Natalie Merchant (p. 2)

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 What does this quote mean to you?

Ordinary about me

Not ordinary about me

 Have you or anyone you know

had surgery?  What do you remember about it?

 Have you had any friends like

August’s friends?  Why didn’t August go to school until the fifth grade?

 Did you think

August’s story about his birth was funny?  Why or why not?

 When should kids have the right to

make an important decision like August’s going to school?

 Do you think August’s parents should

have told him about their decision to find a school for him?  Why is Tushman a funny name? What do the words tush, behind, rear-ended, and bum have in common?

 Why do you

think August is nervous about taking a tour of the school?

 Who do you know who is like Mrs.

Garcia?  What kind of handshake do you have? Turn to an elbow partner and shake hands.  What do you think you can tell from a handshake?

 Do you agree with August when he said

little kids don’t try to hurt your feelings, because they don’t always know what they’re saying, but big kids do know what they’re saying and if they’re hurting your feelings?  Do you like Mr. Tushman? Why or why not?

 Why do kids sometimes hide something

about themselves from other kids, like August hiding behind his long hair?  Describe something you do to hide from something like August does with his long hair.

 What do you think of Jack Will,

Julian, and Charlotte?  Who do you predict will become August’s friends? Why?

 Describe how August felt during

the school tour.  Have you ever felt that way?

 Why did August tell Mr. Tushman

that everyone was really nice, when Julian was not very nice to him?  What would you have done?

 Why was August’s mom so upset

that she said that August didn’t have to go to school if he didn’t want to?

 Why do you think August wants

to go to school now?

 List words that

describe how August felt on his first day of school.  List words that describe how you felt on your first day of school or first day at a new school.

 Circle the

feelings that you and August have in common.

 What did you think of the way the

teacher and kids treated August?  Why didn’t August help Henry with his lock?

 Why would Julian want to be mean

to August?  Is Julian’s a bully? Why or why not?  How does a bully act?

 What does Mr. Browne’s precept mean?  Why does August think that he is going

to like school?

 Write down three things that you

would consider doing that are kind.

 Why would Via, August’s sister, warn him

about lunch?  Describe any experiences you have had during lunch that might make you warn a new student about lunch.

 What would make someone sit at

August’s table?

 Why was August mad at his Mom?  How would you rate August’s first

day at school on a scale of one to ten (one being awesome and ten being awful)?

OR 

Describe a time you felt both happy and sad.

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Describe something you did that was like August cutting off the little braid on the back of his head.

 Do you think school will get easier

for August?  Why or why not?

 Why was August laughing with Jack?

 What do you think?

What does “the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree” mean?  Do you think it always has a negative meaning?  What made August feel like his birthday party was great? 

 Who is Boba Fett?  Is it important to know who this is?  Why or why not?

 What do you think about August’s

aversion to having his picture taken?  Do you agree or disagree with him?  Why or why not?

 How would you

feel if you were August and no one wanted to touch you?

If you were in August’s classes, would you act like the other kids? Why or why not?

Do you think it makes a difference to anyone how an individual looks? Why or why not?  What do you think of August’s idea that everyone should wear masks and get to know each other before they got to see what everyone looked like under their masks? 

 What do you think is going to

happen when August goes to school wearing his costume?

Have you ever felt like August after he heard Jack Will talking to Julian?

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Why did Jack Will say those things?

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If you were August’s friend, what would you say to him?

 Why didn’t August

tell his mother what made him “sick”?

 Review what you wrote

about this quote. After reading Part One, does the meaning of the quote change for you? Explain why or why not.

 Look at the caricature.  Who do you think it is?  Does the caricature give you any clues to

the character it represents?  How is it different from the caricature at the beginning of Part One?

 Far above the

world, Planet Earth is blue, And there’s nothing I can do. David Bowie

 What does this

quote mean?

 Reread the last paragraph of this part.  What do you think Via means when she

talks about the galaxy changing and planets falling out of alignment?

 Sketch what you

think your family galaxy might look like.

 What do you remember about

yourself before you started school?

 What made Via

look at August in two different ways?

 Why was Grans so

important to Via?

 Does Via’s description of August’s face

match how you pictured him?  How do you think August views himself?  What is normal?

 Why don’t friends have to explain

things to one another?

 What is upsetting Via about her

friends Miranda and Ella?  Why is this part titled: Major Tom?

 Describe a

time when you felt like either Via or August?

 Why is it so

difficult to talk about something sometimes with someone else?

 Why is Via upset about August

cutting off his Padawan braid without telling her first?  Why do you think August cut the braid off?

 Why does August’s mom stand

outside his door at night sometimes?  Why does Via wonder if her mom ever stands outside of her door?

 Why is it so hard for parents and

guardians to let their children do things on their own?

 What does all of this mean?

 Does science have all the answers?

Why or why not?

 What do you think about the groups

Via writes about—the smart kids, popular kids, etc.?

 Which character do you like the best

so far: August, Via, their Dad, or their Mom? Why?

 What made August feel better?  If something is really bothering you,

something that is making you sad or angry, what do you do?

 How did Via get August to agree to go

back to school?  Why was Via happy about Miranda’s message?  What do we learn about August from Via?

 Look at the caricature.  Does this caricature resemble Summer?  How is it different from the caricatures at

the beginning of Part One and Part Two?

 You are beautiful no matter what they say;  Words can’t bring you down;  You are beautiful in every single way;  Yes, words can’t bring you down.

Christina Aguilera

 Draw pictures or designs, use words or

phrases to indicate how many ways you are beautiful.  For example, this graphic/drawing might say that I am good team member.

 Have you ever been a “new” kid at school?  How do you think you should treat new

kids?  How would you have treated August?

 What do you think about this game?  Have you ever heard of something like

this?  How do you think this type of game makes August feel?

 Why did Summer leave the party?  What would you have done if you

were Summer?

?  What do you think about this idea

that there are popular kids and kids that aren’t popular or in a popular group?

 Why are August

and Summer friends?

 What makes

someone a good friend?

 What does the title of this part mean?  When August says he is considered a

“medical wonder,” what do you think that has to do with the title?

 What do you do when you see

someone who looks different from you, perhaps someone like August?

 What do you think happens when

people die?

 Why did Summer give Jack a hint why

August was mad at him?  What do you think Jack will do with the hint?

 Look at the caricature.  Does the caricature look like how you

pictured Jack?  How is it different from the caricatures at the beginning of Parts One, Two, and Three?

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Now here is my secret. It is very simple. It is only with one’s heart that one can see clearly. What is essential is invisible to the eye. –Antoine de SantExupery

What is the secret in this quote?  What do you think this quote has to do with what might happen in this part? 

 Why didn’t Jack

want to be a welcome buddy?

 What would you

have done if you were Jack?

 Do people sometimes hurt others

without meaning to hurt them?  If so, can you share an example? If not, why not?

 What do you think Jack changed his

mind about?

 Why did Jack change his mind?

 What makes

August a good friend?

 What makes

anyone a good friend?

 What makes

that person a good friend?

 What makes you

a good friend?

 How do you feel about Jack?  What do you think he should do?  What would you do if you were in Jack’s

shoes?  What would you do if you were in August’s shoes?

 Why would Jack want to tell August

about Lightning?

 Write about some time

in your life you did something very brave and how, because of it, something good happened to you.

 Why didn’t Jack want the boys to know

he was the one who found the sled?  What would have happened if Jack had told the boys about the sled before he found out it was Miles’ old sled?

 Why did the author title this part,

“Private School”?

 What does it feel like to you when

you realize you have hurt someone without meaning to hurt that person?

 Now that Jack remembers talking

meanly about August, what do you think he will do?  Will Jack and August ever be friends again? Why or why not?

 Why did Jack punch Julian?  Do you agree or disagree with that

action? Why or why not?  What else might Jack have done instead of punching Julian?

 Why couldn’t Jack

tell the principal and his mother the reason he punched Julian?

 Do you agree with

the principal’s punishment for Jack? Why or why not?

 How are August’s, Jack’s, and Julian’s

families the same and different?

 Do you think that

 Why does it seem

Julian’s mother is right about not letting someone like August into the school? Why or why not?

like it is easier to say you’re sorry in writing—a letter, email, Facebook, or text—then it is in person?

 If kids knew how they treated other kids

could make those kids feel really bad, how might they change how they treated all kids?

 Have you ever

been treated the way Jack was treated?

 If so, how did you

feel?  If not, how do you think you would feel?

 What does the

author mean by “The War”?

 What is the right

thing in this situation— Julian, Julian’s parents, or the school?

 Why do you think Jack never sat with

Summer and August at their lunch table before now?

 Why did August start

smiling when Jack admits it’s weird not to have people talk to you and pretend you don’t exist?

 How does August use humor to put

people at ease?

 How do you feel when you go to a

friend’s house for the first time?  What makes you feel that way?

 How are Jack and August different?  How are Jack and August alike?  List one way you are not like Jack.  List one way you are not like August.  List one way you are like Jack.

 List one way you are like  What do you think?

August.

 Do you think this was the first time Justin

went to Via’s house?  How do you think Justin was feeling about going to Via’s house for the first time?

 Look at the caricature.  Does the caricature look like how

you pictured Justin?

 Sometimes I think

my head is so big because it is so full of dreams. John Merrick

 What kind of

dreams, make your head big?

 Who is Olivia?

 Why do you think

Justin calls her Olivia?

 Justin does not

use capital letters. what does that tell you about Justin?

Elephant Man is a play about a man who had severe deformities.  Our Town is a play about families in a small town. 

 Why would the

drama teacher choose Our Town over Elephant Man?

 If someone went out to dinner with

your family for the first time, how would they describe your family?

 What do you

think Justin and Olivia wished for?

 What would you

wish for?

 What would you do if you were Jack?  Would you do nothing, tell your parents,

tell your teacher?  What possessed Justin to talk to Julian, Henry, and Miles?

 What do you think about Miranda?  Why would she ask Justin if he is OK

with it?

 How do you think the universe takes

care of all its birds?

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What a piece of work is a man! how noble in reason! how infinite in faculty! in form and moving how express and admirable! in action how like an angel! in apprehension how like a god! the beauty of the world!... Shakespeare, Hamlet

 Look at the caricature.  What does it tell you about this next

part, written from the perspective of August?

 What does “like seeks like” mean?  Why do you think August’s Mom and

Dad thought it was a funny observation?  Do you agree with August’s observation?

 What do you think the Auggie Doll is?

 What do you think would have been

a better way for Jack and August to handle this “war”?

 Think about what August said about him

being the model for the Uglydolls and why it was funny. How does laughing together about something make things better?

 Have you ever felt like August, being

forced to do something you really did not want to do?

 What do you think happens when

the doctor puts on August’s new hearing aids?

 “Funny how sometimes you worry a lot

about something and it turns out to be nothing.”  Describe a time you worried a lot about something and it turned out to be nothing.

 Why did it get so quiet all of a

sudden?  What do you think happened between Via and her Mom?

 Describe a time when you experienced

what happened to August? You started out feeling neither sad nor mad or anything, but something happened that made a feeling just explode out of you. It might have been anger or a burst of tears that surprised you.

 Explain what caused that emotion to

explode out of you.

 Why did taking Daisy to the vet

change everything at that moment?

What helps you feel better?  How do you deal

with situations that are very sad?

 Why is it so hard to

lose someone or something you love?

 Were you

surprised to find out Via was playing Emily in the play instead of Miranda?

 What do you think

happened to Miranda?

 Have you ever been to a play or a live

performance?  If so, what was it and how did you like it?

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I forgot that I might see So many beautiful things I forgot that I might need To find out what life could bring. Andain

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Who do you think this quote is about?

 Why did Miranda

pretend August was her little brother?

 Have you ever told

a story like Miranda did? If so, why? If not, why not?

 Why would Miranda tell the theater class

teacher it was her little brother that was deformed, and not Via’s brother?

 What do you think about the relationship

between Miranda and Via?  Are they still friends? If yes, why? If no, why?

 If Miranda and Via are

not as close as they were, why would Miranda tell August to say hi to Via and tell her that she misses her?

 Why do you think Miranda stepped

down to allow Via to play Emily in the play?

 Do you think that Miranda was glad

she allowed Via to play Emily in the play?  Why or why not?

 What qualities does Miranda have

that makes her a good friend to August and to Via?

 You’re gonna

reach the sky Fly…Beautiful child Eurythmics

 What does the

caricature and quote tell you about this part and August?

 Describe a time when

you slept over at someone’s house.  Was it similar to August’s experience?  Why or why not?

 What do you

think you are known for?

Is being known for something a good or bad thing? Why?

 August is both excited and

nervous about the trip.  What makes growing up hard?

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But if she could have looked a little further back, into the stillness and the darkness before Time dawned, she would have read there a different incantation.

What do you think this last sentence of this part means?  Is it a sign that everything is going to be OK, or a sign that maybe things are not going to be OK? 

 Why didn’t August need Baboo

anymore?

 Have you ever been

somewhere that matches August’s description of the forest and campground? What was it like?

 Things are going very well for

August. What do you think is going to happen next?

 What does the title, Be Kind to

Nature, mean?

 What do you think

about the boys’ behavior?

 Who are Amos, Miles, and Henry?

 Why would they help August and

Jack?

 Why do you think Amos, Miles,

and Henry finally accepted August?

 How would you feel if it was very,

very dark and your hearing was muffled?

 What had changed

for August?

 Why didn’t August’s Mom slam

him with questions?

 What did August’s Mom mean when she

said there will always be jerks in the world, but there are more good people than bad, and good people watch out for each other and take care of each other?  Do you agree with this?

 Why did August’s Mom let both

August and Via stay home—was it really just to play with the new puppy?

Stand in a circle.  A sentence will be whispered in your ear.  Turn to the person on your left, and whisper that same sentence into his or her ear.  Last person say the sentence aloud.  Here’s the original sentence. Is it the same or different from the last sentence we just heard?  Why? 

What was the shift?

 What animal would you choose to

represent you? Why?  Draw that animal as it would represent you.

 What does Mr. Browne’s

precept mean?

 Do you know

 Do you think

August’s Dad should have thrown away August’s helmet? Why or why not?

someone like August’s Dad?

 What do kids

usually do during speeches that adults make?

 Make a list of

ways you might be kinder than is necessary.

 Why did August win

the Henry Ward Beecher medal?

 Do you think August deserves an

award like this? Why or why not?

 Why was August OK with all the

picture taking?

 Why did August’s Mom call him a

wonder?

 Did you like this

book?  Why or not?

 Would you

recommend this book to anyone?  If so, who? If not, why not?