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Year 5

Developing an understanding of 'Wonder' through rich discussions

I can discuss the main ideas of ‘Wonder’.

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New
New
Year 5

Developing an understanding of 'Wonder' through rich discussions

I can discuss the main ideas of ‘Wonder’.

Download all resources
Share activities with pupils

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. The protagonist of the story is August ‘Auggie’ Pullman.
  2. August was born with a facial deformity which marks him out to be ‘different’ and subjected to discrimination.
  3. August gradually wins over his peers and becomes an integral part of the school community.
  4. The book is structured to show each character's different perspective; these are referred to as 'parts'.
  5. A take-away idea within a text may link to themes that are explored and developed in it.

Common misconception

Pupils may think that disability and deformity are interchangeable.

August's facial deformity does not directly impair his physical abilities or cognitive functions. The email conversation between Julian's mother and Mr. Tushman explores this on pages 162 and 163.

Keywords

  • Empathy - the ability to understand other people’s feelings and points of view

  • Discrimination - treating a person or group of people differently and unfairly because of a certain characteristic

  • Theme - a big idea, topic or message that recurs within a story

  • Precept - a moral lesson or guiding principle

Pupils must have read the text in advance of this lesson. It will be useful if pupils have an understanding of discrimination and prejudice before the session. This can be addressed within a PSHE lesson or group discussion.
Teacher tip

Equipment

You need a copy of the 2022 Corgi Children’s Books edition of ‘Wonder’, written by R.J. Palacio with illustrations by Tad Carpenter, for this lesson.

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
  • Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
  • Depiction or discussion of upsetting content

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Who is the author of the following text?
An image in a quiz
Correct Answer: R.J. Palacio, r. j. palacio, R.J. Palacio, r.j. palacio, RJ Palacio
Q2.
Match the following terms to their definitions.
Correct Answer:character,a person or an animal in a story

a person or an animal in a story

Correct Answer:setting,where the story takes place

where the story takes place

Correct Answer:plot,what happens in the story

what happens in the story

Q3.
Which of the following are forms of text?
Correct answer: graphic novel
fantasy
Correct answer: picturebook
Correct answer: novel
science fiction
Q4.
True or False? A main protagonist has to be likeable.
Correct Answer: False, false
Q5.
Based on their front covers, which of the following are fiction texts?
Correct answer: Great Expectations
Who are Refugees and Migrants?
Drawn Across Borders: True Stories of Human Migration
Correct answer: The Legend of Sally Bones
Q6.
Which is the most suitable definition for a theme within a text?
how a character's feelings and emotions change throughout a story
the surrounding details that help understand what you're reading
Correct answer: a big idea, topic or message that repeats within a story
a protagonist with noble qualities, often saving or helping others
Q1 Wonder, R J Palacio, Corgi Children's Q5 image 1 Great Expectations, By Charles Dickens, A. L. Kennedy Q5 image 2 Who are Refugees and Migrants? What Makes People Leave Their Homes? And Other Big Questions, Michael Rosen, AnneMarie Young, Wayland Books Q5 image 3 Drawn Across Borders, George Butler, Walker Studio Q5 image 4 The Legend of Sally Jones, Jakob Wegelius, Peter Graves, Pushkin Press

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Match the keywords to their definitions.
Correct Answer:empathy,the ability to understand other people’s feelings and points of view

the ability to understand other people’s feelings and points of view

Correct Answer:discrimination,treating a person or group of people differently and unfairly

treating a person or group of people differently and unfairly

Correct Answer:theme,a big idea, topic or message that recurs within a story

a big idea, topic or message that recurs within a story

Q2.
What is a suitable definition of a precept?
an effect on the character or behaviour of someone else
Correct answer: a moral lesson or guiding principle
a suggestion for a text that is well-suited to a reader’s interests
making a guess using what we already know
Q3.
Which of the following adjectives describes the character of August?
Correct answer: understanding
mean
Correct answer: empathetic
unkind
Correct answer: kind
Q4.
Order the following events from the text.
1 - Auggie begins to enjoy school and builds friendships.
2 - August faces bullying from some classmates, including Julian.
3 - Auggie overhears Jack Will speaking poorly of him to Julian.
4 - Jack understands where he went wrong and apologises to August.
5 - August goes on the nature retreat.
Q5.
Which devices in the text support August in being able to hear better?
headphones
Correct answer: hearing aids
ear defenders
Q6.
Match the themes to how they can be conveyed in the text.
Correct Answer:discrimination,characters learn the importance of standing up against injustice

characters learn the importance of standing up against injustice

Correct Answer:belonging,August has formed strong bonds with many of his classmates

August has formed strong bonds with many of his classmates

Correct Answer:loss,Via talks about her experiences of her grandmother passing away

Via talks about her experiences of her grandmother passing away