Wonder

Here is another question/ answer blog post about wonder. I really enjoy reading the book and answering deep questions about it, it makes me think. I like how most of this part was about the character Justin, Olivia's boyfriend. Next time I would add more graphics.

What are the motivations for Julian's Mum to photoshop August out of the class photo?She didn’t want Auggie in the photo because she thinks he is deformed and ruins the photo for the rest of the class.What message is this sening Julian? It is sending the message that it is ok to pick on Auggie for looking different., it really isn't.

What do you make of Mrs Albans statement about Auggie being handicapped? I think she thinks that Treacher collins syndrome affects mobility and other functions. Do you think she was correct when she said it places too much of a burden of the kids to befriend August? No, lots of kids have become friends with Auggie and It had brought no negative effects other than being disgraced by the popular kids whose opinion shouldn’t matter.

Mrs Alban also thinks Auggie shouldn’t be allowed in beecher prep, do you agree or disagree? I disagree because Auggie causes nobody any harm.

How did Jack handle being frozen out by all the other boys in his school? He spent his breaks with Auggie and Summer instead.

Why was Justin nervous about meeting Olivia’s parents? Because meeting your partner’s parents is a big deal. How did it show? He was acting a little weird. How did it work out? Olivia’s parents like Justin.

Why does Justin greet the different members of the family in different ways? Because he greeted them how he thought was appropriate. Explain how he greeted them? He gave Auggie a hello fist bump, Olivia a kiss of the cheek and Olivia’s parents a hello handshake.

In the bus stop chapter Justin told Julian and his friends to leave Jack alone, was this a good idea? Partly, he was sticking up for someone he knew and who was his girlfriend’s brother’s best friend. It could of been a bad idea because the kids could have teased Jack about needing August’s sister’s boyfriend to stick up for him.

In the chapter called bird Olivia says she is an awful person, why is this? Because she doesn’t want Auggie to come to the play because nobody knows about him. Is she right? No, she has never been embarrassed of Auggie before and it makes sense she doesn’t want people to know about him.

In what ways is part five different to other parts of the book? All the writing is in lower case, it is told from a different perspective.

Jack and Summer

Here is a venn diagram I have created which shows the characteristics of Summer and Jack from the book ' wonder'. When I started writing them down it occurred to me that they are very similar. Next time I would add more characteristics because I had a brain block.

Summer and Jack

Here is a venn diagram I have created which shows the characteristics of Summer and Jack from the book ' wonder'. When I started writing them down it occurred to me that they are very similar. Next time I would add more characteristics because I had a brain block.

wonder

This weeks work on wonder. I think I have done a good job making things neat and readable. Next time I would go more in depth with my explanations.

What was summers initial reaction to August? She was honestly surprised and she felt sorry for him. Why did they become friends? At first Summer sat with him because she felt bad for him but now she sits with Auggie because he is fun.

Summer isn’t in the popular group, why was she invited to Savannah's party? Because they wanted her to ditch Auggie and join them.

How does Summer foster a friendship with Auggie, in which way is it beneficial to them both? Summer sits with Auggie on the first day of school and they become friends, they both have someone to trust and hang out with.

Part four starts with a quote ‘  Now here's my secret. It’s very simple. It is only with one’s heart one can see clearly, what is essential is invisible to the eye. What does this mean? I think this means that looks can be deceiving, take information from what you are feeling rather than what you are seeing.

What was Jack’s initial reaction to mr Tushman's request to show Auggie around the school? Jack was not keen at all to show Auggie around the school. What made Jack say yes to showing Auggie around? A change of heart ( and persuasion).

Friendship can be difficult, how does Jack feel about him and Auggie being ‘ex friends’? He feels guilty and confused. How does he feel when he finds out why? Horrible and guilty.

How was Jack provoked to punch Julian in the face? Julian was saying mean things about Auggie and Jack wanted to teach him a lesson. Why do you think that was right/wrong to do so? I think it was wrong because violence is not the answer.

How did reading from Jack's perspective change your opinion about the character? My opinion changed because I read abouts Jack’s feelings about certain events. It also changed because I now know his backstory.

Predict how Auggie will feel about Jack punching Julian, how do you think this would affect their friendship?I think Auggie will be surprised and happy Julian was punched, I think it will help mend their friendship.

Wonder character map

LO: Create a character map with August in the middle and other characters around him, the more significant, the closer to the centre.

I used the 'wonder' movie site to create the faces of the characters how I imagine them. If you would like to create yourself, click here.
Next time I would fit more characters In the map.

Wonder

The book 'wonder' was partly based on Natalie Merchants song by the same name. The song is about a handicapped lady who, with much support from her adopted mother, overcomes all obstacles. The reason R.J Palacio used this song as inspiration is because it celebrates everyone as equals rather than excluding people.
Goal: Listen to the song and explain what story it tells and how it relates to the story.
How does this show my learning: Because I have explained how this song relates to the story.

Here are my video notes

'Doctors have come from distant cities, just to see me, stand over my bed, disbelieving what their seeing' Hints that she may have a medical complication of some form.
'they say I must be one of the wonders, God's own creation'tells us she valued.
Natilie Merchant wrote this song about a handicaped lady who, with love and surport from her adopted family, overcame her disability. When Natilie Merchant was a teenager she volenteered at a camp for kids with special needs, her song is also written to those kids.

Natilie Merchant views people with disabilities gifted and a wonder, not as a handicaped, doctors can not understand their condition so they are God's wonders

'News papers ask intimate questions, want confessions' Maybe the doctors think having a disability is a sin.

'Reach into my head, to steal the glory from my story' This is most likely the disabled persons point of view, seeing the doctors as trying to make them normal when they are special

The many different people in the video represents how we are all different but we all need love and kindness.

'and they smile as they can not find no explanation' doctors do not know what causes disibilities.

'Laughed when she came to my cradle, know this child will be able' the child will be able to over come the obstacles.

'Laughed as my body she lifted, know this child is gifted' means they are special in their own way.

'With love, with patience and with faith,she'll make her way' we all need love and support to thrive and take on the world. She will succeed!

'People see me, i'm a challenge to your balance' people view others with a disability like a flaw or impurity to their lives

'I’m over your heads; how I confound you and astound you to know I must be one of the wonders of god’s own creation, and as far as you can see you can offer me no explanation' means that we all can succeed, just because we are not the same doesn't mean we are a problem, everyone is different and that should be celebrated, the world would be boring if we were all the same.

Quote unquote

This quote means that it is ok to be different, to make risky moves and to go against the grain. I think this quote is important because it helps us to realise that we can’t all be the same; it would be a very boring world if we were all the same.





How does this show my learning? We were asked to choose a quote and write about what it means to you, I think I have achieved this.

Next time I would be more exiting when making a graphic of the quote.

Don't judge a book by its cover

This is the second task in my 'wonder' novel study. I have enjoyed doing these tasks and I have really enjoyed the book. Next time I would add even more information and include my own feelings.

Star wars is one of Auggie’s passions. Why do you think this is?
I think many kids like star wars ( boys and girls) because it is a very interesting franchise with lots of elements that may attract your attention.
Do you see any reason for Auggie to identify with these characters or aspire to be like them? In star wars there are many characters who are inhuman but they are still awesome and play an important role in the narrative,
it makes sense to aspire to be like these characters because they have admiral qualities.
 I have only watched the first trilogy plus the force awakens so don’t get mad if I get things wrong :).

What questions did Julian ask and why did Auggie want to slide under the desk?
Julian asked if Auggie had been in a house fire or something because of his face, these questions made Auggie feel conscience and embarrassed.
Why did Julian ask those questions?
Julian asked those questions because he was curious, not away that they would cause embarrassment.

Mrs Browne’s september precept was ‘when given the choice to be right or kind, choose kind’ do you agree with this precept?
I agree that you should always be kind, kindness is important to maintain bonds with other people.

In the chapter one to ten Auggie explains that he is mad at his mother but he is not sure why, why do you think he is mad?
He may be mad because she keeps asking him questions he doesn’t want to answer.

August invited his whole class to his birthday party but only a few came.
Why did only some kids go to the party?
I think only a few kids went because they don’t really like Auggie because he doesn’t look like everybody else (which is wrong).

Auggie says he has an aversion to getting his photo taken, what does aversion mean?
Aversion means a strong dislike/fear.
Why does Auggie have an aversion to getting his picture taken?
I think it is because he thinks that it causes more attention to be drawn to his face, he feels very self conscious about his appearance.

Why does no-one want to touch August?
Nobody wants to touch him because they made up a game called ‘the plague’ which is like the cheese touch ( diary of a wimpy kid).
How does this make August feel? It makes him feel discarded an alone.

Did your opinion of Jack Will change after Auggie overheard him talking to Julian?
Not really, kids can say things that hurt people when they don’t really mean it.

Do you think August will go back to school? Predict the future. I know he will because I have finished the book.



This shows my learning by: Making me read between the lines and add my own opinions.

I wonder

On monday we were all given a copy of the book ‘wonder’. I would highly recommend reading ‘wonder’ because the author has done a great job at creating different personalities and characters. Warning, spoilers ahead. We were given some questions to answer using the information we have read in the book.

What was August’s one wish he wanted?

Throughout the entire book August wanted to look normal and blend in with everyone else.

If you could change one thing about your appearance what would it be?

Like most teenage girls I critique the living daylights out of my appearance but if I could change one thing I would like to have an even skin tone because I have really red cheeks and dark circles under my eyes,

I chose this because I can not otherwise change it.

What does it mean to be ordinary?

Being ordinary is being able to blend in and stay in the background.

Why Is August extraordinary?

August is extraordinary because he doesn't look like other people and he thinks that makes him a target for unwanted attention.

I believe being normal is overrated.

How do people react when they see August’s face for the first time?

Most people were shocked when they saw his face.

How would you react?

I would like to think I would hide my surprise and try my best to be nice because your appearance isn’t your only good trait.

August’s Dad said ‘sending Auggie to school is like sending a lamb to a slaughter house’ what does this mean? August’s dad used this metaphor because like a lamb August is going willingly to a bad situation without realising it.

Would you send August to school if you were one of his parents? I would send him to school because it would teach him to deal with other people. This will be a valuable life skill.

What white lie did Auggie’s mum tell him? She said she was giving him an iq test but it was an entrance exam.Why did she do it? Because he wouldn’t have agreed to take it if he knew Are white lies ok? Even though you are trying to spare someone's feelings it is still lying.

August said he liked ms. garcia when she wasn’t wearing her shiny smile, what is a shiny smile?A shiny smile is a fake smile you put on.

How does Auggie know the first time he meets Julian that he is a bully? He could tell by Julians behaviour. How did Julian bully Auggie? He was not hanging out with him and teasing him. He also started the ‘plague’. How did Auggie respond? August made his own group of friends.

What am I learning? Through this task I have used strategies like remembering and adding my feelings into the questions.

This shows my learning by answering different questions and coming up with my own theorys.