Developing an understanding of 'Wonder' through rich discussions
I can discuss the main ideas of ‘Wonder’.
Developing an understanding of 'Wonder' through rich discussions
I can discuss the main ideas of ‘Wonder’.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- The protagonist of the story is August ‘Auggie’ Pullman.
- August was born with a facial deformity which marks him out to be ‘different’ and subjected to discrimination.
- August gradually wins over his peers and becomes an integral part of the school community.
- The book is structured to show each character's different perspective; these are referred to as 'parts'.
- A take-away idea within a text may link to themes that are explored and developed in it.
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
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.
To help you plan your year 5 english lesson on: Developing an understanding of 'Wonder' through rich discussions, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 5 english lesson on: Developing an understanding of 'Wonder' through rich discussions, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 2 english lessons from the 'Wonder': book club unit, dive into the full secondary english curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
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 upsetting content
- Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
a person or an animal in a story
where the story takes place
what happens in the story
Exit quiz
6 Questions
the ability to understand other people’s feelings and points of view
treating a person or group of people differently and unfairly
a big idea, topic or message that recurs within a story
characters learn the importance of standing up against injustice
August has formed strong bonds with many of his classmates
Via talks about her experiences of her grandmother passing away