Thursday, September 26, 2013

1-2-3 Wonder! - a Video Project


This week we finished the book Wonder, by RJ Palacio. The kids were really upset that it was ending! I really was worried about the next read aloud - I mean, how can you follow that?! But, I have something up my sleeve.

Anyhow, we did a really great culminating project! I found that many teachers who have read this book to their class participated in the activity called 1-2-3 Wonder! 


I put the kids into groups and asked them all 3 questions. Their job was to decide on an answer using only 1,2, or 3 words. They then put their answers on poster board, I took their pictures, and turned it all into a pretty cool video!







Every Friday I send out a Newsletter to parents explaining what we accomplished throughout the week. I sent the video along with what is written below. I hope you enjoy it! 

Fifth graders finished our read aloud of Wonder, written by RJ Palacio. This book is about a fifth grader named August Pullman, also known as Auggie, who was born with a facial deformity. This deformity has obviously been his challenge from the beginning of his life in all sorts of ways. Socially it has made him feel as much of an outcast as anyone could possibly feel. Physically, he was unable to attend school because of constant surgeries. Until now. When we met Auggie, he was starting school for the first time in fifth grade. He was extremely insecure and feared being in public. He especially hated being around other kids because he was never viewed as the ordinary kid that he is. When Auggie introduces himself, he doesn't describe what he looks like because, he says, "whatever you're thinking, it's probably worse."

Since experiencing Auggie's fifth grade year with him, we have learned so many important lessons about life, friendship, relationships, integrity, advocacy, judgement, and of course, kindness. I believe our fifth graders fell in love with this story because every kid can relate to Auggie in some way. Although Wonder is fiction, it is based off of a very realistic fact that everyone has challenges to face and overcome. There were many class discussions where fifth graders showed enormous amounts of empathy, understanding, and caring. The students expressed changes they have seen in themselves, reflected on past experiences, planned for the future with being kind in mind, and even decided it important to make a banner in the classroom to remind us to always "choose kind."

This is a book that has touched all of us in many ways, and the fifth graders wanted to share a video that they made which truly demonstrates how much of an impact a book can have on someone as well as the important life lessons Auggie has taught them. Please click below, and enjoy!


Also, if you are interested in classroom resources for this book, click on the pictures below






14 comments:

  1. This is wonderful! Great job, fifth graders!!!

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  2. Wonder was one of the summer reading books I assigned to my incoming fifth graders, and I am interested in doing this project with them in class. However, the link to your video is not working. Can you please provide a fixed link? I would love to see this!! :)

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    1. Wonder is a great book and this project was awesome! I am not sure why the video isn't working on your computer (I just checked and it is working on mine). If you send me an email, I can send you the video that way. Tarquiniojt@gmail.com

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  3. I have been reading this book to my 5th graders. They love it and do not want me to put the book down! I'd love to see your video but cannot open it. Could you help me with this?

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    1. Hi Sue! I do this project every year and they love it! If you send me your email, I will send you the video directly. Please email Tarquiniojt@gmail.com

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  4. Hi. When you have a moment, could you email me the video? I am unable to open it and it sounds like a wonderful idea! cassiemaley@gmail.com

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  5. Could you send me the video link as well.....thank you....great work. bleemelk@lisd.net

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  6. I also would love to see the video. It will not open for me either!!! thanks naldie@gmail.com

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  7. Could you please send me the video link as well? Thanks!! munozjess89@gmail.com

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  8. I would love a copy of the video darby.rodriguez@hayscisd.net

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  10. Hello I was wondering how often you met with your group and how you did the reading and activities... how long it took... etc. I am starting a Wonder Club in 2 weeks and I am attempting to organize a plan. My club will be 15 kids in grades 5-8. Please email me your plan or strategy.... bharpster@iu08.org

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  11. This is fantastic. I currently teach Grade 5 and we are about to start reading Wonder.
    What software did you use to create the video and what was the song you used?

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