Developing responses to 'Wonder' through rich discussions
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can develop my own response to 'Wonder’.
Key learning points
- By reading from a range of perspectives, readers can discover more about characters and their relationships.
- Characters and their relationships change and evolve throughout a narrative.
- Making connections and recommendations can significantly enhance a reader's experience with a text.
- Connections are ways in which you connect personally with a text; these may differ based on reader's life experiences.
Keywords
Character trait - the special qualities that make a character in a story unique and interesting
Perspective - refers to the point-of-view or position from which the reader reads, influencing the way events or ideas are portrayed and understood
Connection - how a text relates to a reader, another text or the wider world
Recommendation - a suggestion for a text that is well-suited to a reader’s age and their interests
Common misconception
Pupils may think that a favourite character should always be someone who embodies positive character traits.
Explain that favourite characters can be characters involved in key moments in the text; characters who change the most in the story; or, characters who remind readers of someone they know.
Teacher tip
Pupils must have read the text in advance of this lesson. Encourage pupils to regularly recommend texts for each other. Support discussions around different texts and what they have enjoyed and why.
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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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Who is the illustrator of the front cover and interior illustrations?
Q2.Who is the main protagonist of 'Wonder'?
Q3.Whose perspectives does the reader read from? Select two.
Q4.Match the following character traits to the character that shows them.
Mr. Tushman
Julian
August's father
Q5.What is the name of August's English teacher?
Q6.True or False? August ends the text unhappy.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the keywords to their definitions.
how a text relates to a reader, another text or the wider world
the point-of-view or position from which the reader reads
a suggestion for a text that is well-suited to a reader’s interests
Q2.True or False? August's parents are worried about him starting middle school.
Q3.Match the following characters to their relationship with August.
one of August's close friends
Via's boyfriend
a boy who bullies August
August’s pet dog
Q4.Which of the following are character traits shown by Via?
Q5.Which of the following are true?
Q6.A recommendation is ...
To help you plan your 5 English lesson on: Developing responses to 'Wonder' through rich discussions, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 5 English lesson on: Developing responses to '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 primary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.