Wonder

Language & Thinking

Reading Literature

Children
Read: Read Wonder, a #1 New York Times bestseller. Synopsis: “August Pullman was born with a facial difference that, up until now, has prevented him from going to a mainstream school. Starting 5th grade at Beecher Prep, he wants nothing more than to be treated as an ordinary kid—but his new classmates can’t get past Auggie’s extraordinary face. Wonder,… included on the Texas Bluebonnet Award master list, begins from Auggie’s point of view, but soon switches to include his classmates, his sister, her boyfriend, and others. These perspectives converge in a portrait of one community’s struggle with empathy, compassion, and acceptance.”

Vocabulary

All Ages
Discuss: The Merriam Webster dictionary defines ‘wonder’ as “a cause of astonishment or admiration.” Do you feel that word appropriately describes August Pullman? Why?

All Ages
Watch: What does the word ‘precept’ mean? Watch how Auggie’s teach explains it and how it is shown through his example of kindness in this short video.

Leadership & Entrepreneurism

All Ages
Discuss: Via tells Auggie, “you can’t blend in when you were born to stand out.” This is a profound statement because of how empowering it is. Everyone has a comparative advantage to everyone else. Discover what yours is and own it. In what way do you stand out? How are you making the most of that?

Science

Physics

Values

Life Lessons

Children & Teenagers
Watch & Reflect: Watch this 3-minute interview with someone who has Auggie’s condition, known as Treacher Collins syndrome. Notice how her condition helped her become better as a person. She has developed a sense of humor and is recognized by others as someone who has an enhanced sense of others’ character. Reflect on your own life’s challenges and think of how they can make you a better person.

Virtues

All Ages
Discuss: one of the major themes of the movie is acceptance – accepting people for who they are as a person, instead of their appearance. Everyone in Auggie’s school needed to learn this for themselves, but only after a lot of emotional turmoil for him. Not everyone is as strong or as well supported as he is. Who do you know that you think needs your acceptance?

Children & Teenagers
Create a teachable moment. Auggie proves to the world what is possible with the combination of kindness, courage, and forgiveness. You can’t help but wonder how you would respond if you were in his shoes and everyone were staring or pointing at you. Would you be kind to them? Could you bring yourself to stand up to them? Could you forgive them after all hearing them say horrible things about you? His kindness, courage, and forgiveness helped him win the hearts of the most unlikely friends. He ended the school year with a lot of friends to spend his summer with and got a standing ovation for his leadership award.

Volunteering and Service

All Ages
Discuss: Who do you know that have been disadvantaged in life and can use a friend’s kindness? What can you for them that they would appreciate?