Wonder PowerPoint Slides 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.

WONDERBY R. J. PALACIO

Before Reading Part One…

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)

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?

Write down two things you would like others to know about you that they already don’t know.

Why would Julian want to be mean to August?

Is Julian’s a bully? Why or why not?

How does a bully act?

When given the choice between being right or being kind, choose kind. What does Mr. Browne’s precept

mean? Why does August think that he is

going to like school?

Choose Kind…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?

AwesomeAwful 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)?

Describe a time when you felt like August is feeling about school—both happy and unhappy at the same time.

Describe a time you felt both happy and sad.

OR 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?

HAHAHAHAHAHA Why was August laughing with Jack?

YOUR DEEDS ARE YOUR MONUMENTS.

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?

Why did Jack Will say those things?

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

Why didn’t August tell his mother what made him “sick”?

Fate smiled and destiny laughed as she came to my cradle…--Natalie Merchant

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.

Before Reading Part Two…

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?

Before Reading Part Three…

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

How many ways are you beauiful?

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?

The Plague 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?

Warning: This Kid is Rated R

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?

Before Reading Part Four…

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?

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 Sant-Exupery

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?

Before Reading this Part… What do you think Jack changed his mind about?

After Reading this Part… Why did Jack change his mind?

What makes August a good friend?

What makes anyone a good friend?

Think of one of your friends… 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 Julian’s mother is right about not letting someone like August into the school? Why or why not?

Why does it seem 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?

Alike & Different 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 August. What do you think?

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?

Before Reading Part Five…

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?

What does this quote from Shakespeare have to do with August? 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

Before Reading Part Six…

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?

Before Reading This Part…

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”?

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA 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.

What was that emotion? Explain what caused that emotion to explode out of you.

Why did taking Daisy to the vet change everything at that moment?

How do you deal with situations that are very sad?

What helps you feel better?

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?

I forgot that I might seeSo many beautiful thingsI forgot that I might needTo find out what life could bring.

Andain

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?

Before Reading Part Eight…

You’re gonna reach the skyFly…Beautiful childEurythmics

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?

Excited and NervousAugust is both excited and nervous about the trip.

What makes growing up hard?

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?

Be Kind to NatureWhat 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?

Telephone 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?

The Shift

What was the shift?

What animal would you choose to represent you?

Why? Draw that animal as it would

represent you.

Just follow the day and reach for the sun.

What does Mr. Browne’s precept mean?

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

Do you know someone like August’s Dad?

What do kids usually do during speeches that adults make?

Always to try to be a little kinder than is necessary

  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?

Wonder by R. J. Palacio Did you like

this book? Why or not?

Would you recommend this book to

anyone? If so, who? If not, why not?