Wonder Unit Plan - R.J Palacio Novel Study Reading Unit

This Wonder Unit Plan includes everything you need to teach Wonder by R.J. Palacio with confidence and ease. With more than 250 pages and slides of ready-to-use materials, there is absolutely no prep required. This comprehensive Wonder novel study features eye-catching presentation slides, print-ready assignments, comprehension and analysis questions, vocabulary activities, quizzes, and interactive class projects. Every resource is designed to keep students engaged and help them connect deeply with Auggie’s story, giving you everything you need to make your students fall in love with Wonder.

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Included in This Wonder Unit Plan:

➡️ Wonder Introductory Presentation: Start your Wonder novel study with this engaging and interactive presentation that sets students up for success before they read. This PowerPoint includes meaningful pre-reading discussion questions, a whole-class interactive activity, a short author biography for R.J. Palacio, helpful background information to build context, a fun review quiz to check understanding, and a video clip to spark interest.

➡️ Wonder Hashtag of the Week Posters: Brighten your classroom and reinforce key ideas during your Wonder novel study with this interactive bulletin board set. Create a “Wonder Hashtag of the Week/Day” display featuring inspiring quotes from the text. Each poster includes the quote and a hashtag that reveals which character said it, helping students track perspectives, reflect on themes, and engage with the novel visually as you read.

➡️ Wonder Choose Kind Bookmarks and Poster: Encourage a culture of kindness in your classroom during your Wonder novel study with a ready-to-print poster and coordinating student bookmarks inspired by Wonder. Both the poster and bookmarks highlight the novel’s iconic message, Mr. Browne’s first precept: “When given the choice between being right and being kind, choose kind.”

➡️ Wonder Summary Cards: These nine printable summary cards offer a clear snapshot of the most important plot moments across the novel. Print and cut them out to create a set of quick-reference cards that are perfect for helping struggling readers, reviewing key events, locating text evidence during writing assignments, or supporting small-group discussions. They are an excellent visual tool for both teachers and students.

➡️ Wonder Quizzes: Assess comprehension throughout your Wonder unit with these nine short, targeted quizzes. Each quiz includes six multiple-choice questions that check understanding of key events, plus two quote-response prompts where students identify what is happening in the plot and explain the quote’s significance. Detailed answer keys are provided to make marking and review quick and straightforward.

➡️ Wonder Vocabulary Booklet and Slides: Build vocabulary skills directly within the context of the novel. This resource includes a vocabulary booklet organized by the novel’s parts where students read each word used in an authentic quote, infer its meaning using context clues, and then confirm the definition with a dictionary. Matching presentation slides are included for whole-class review or grading.

➡️ Wonder Questions and Answers: This resource provides a full set of reading questions that guide students through each part of the novel. The questions focus on comprehension, inference, and making connections. A review presentation is included along with detailed answer keys that provide strong sample responses and text evidence for support.

➡️ Wonder Analysis Notes: This 26-slide presentation highlights key literary elements throughout the novel, such as theme, conflict, point of view, and characterization. Organized by novel parts, these notes can be copied by students, used for direct instruction, or incorporated into class discussions. After using these slides, students will have a solid grasp of the novel’s deeper elements.

➡️ Wonder Figurative Language: Reinforce figurative language skills using examples from the novel during your Wonder unit plan. This resource includes three worksheets where students read excerpts from Wonder and identify which figurative language devices are being used. It’s a simple way to help students recognize literary devices within meaningful context.

➡️ Wonder - Video Clipss: Help students make text-to-self and text-to-world connections with video journal prompts. Students watch short YouTube videos that relate to themes, ideas, or situations in the novel, then respond in writing to a related journal question. Although the videos are not specific to Wonder, they tie in thematically to spark strong personal connections and rich reflection. YouTube access is required.

This Wonder Unit Plan also includes creative assignments and activities for each part of the novel. You can learn more about what's included below:

Part 1

➡️ Wonder Allusion Web Quest: Wonder contains many pop culture references and allusions—from Mr. T to Pac-Man to Doogie Howser—that deepen students’ understanding of the characters and time period. This web quest guides students through researching these allusions to build the context they need to fully appreciate the references as they appear in the text.

➡️ Advice for August: This creative assignment will allow your students to take on the perspective of different characters. In the novel, August feels completely betrayed by Jack at the end of part 1 and does not want to return to school. This assignment will have students take on the perspective of other characters to give advice to August in this situation.

Part 2

➡️ Via's Diary: In Part 2 of your Wonder novel study, the narrative shifts to Via’s perspective, revealing her complex feelings about her family, friendships, and identity. This assignment asks students to write a diary entry from Via’s point of view, helping them analyze her character in depth. A display poster is included so you can turn students' completed diary entries into a classroom or hallway showcase.

Part 3

➡️ Summer's Acts of Kindness Activity: Summer’s decision to sit with August becomes a powerful example of kindness in the novel. This activity encourages students to reflect on her choice and complete their own real-life act of kindness. Students record what they did, why they chose it, and how it impacted them or others.

Part 4

➡️ Jack's Lyrical Connections: This creative assignment helps students analyze themes and character experiences by connecting them to meaningful song lyrics. Students select lyrics that relate to key ideas from the novel—such as friendship, loyalty, or identity—and explain the connections using examples from the text.

Part 5

➡️ Justin's Internet History: Students imagine they have access to Justin’s browser history and create a list of websites he might visit. They explain how each site connects to his personality, experiences, and relationships in the novel. This humorous but insightful activity leads to strong character analysis.

Part 6

➡️ Mr. Browne's Precept Quote Posters and Activity: Display Mr. Browne’s ten memorable precepts using the included posters during your Wonder novel study, then invite students to create their own precepts as a culminating activity.

Part 7

➡️ Wonder Self-Portraits: Inspired by the illustrated character portraits that introduce each part of the novel, students create their own stylized self-portrait and pair it with a meaningful personal quote.

Part 8

➡️ Astronaut Helmet Symbolism: August’s astronaut helmet symbolizes different things to various characters throughout the story. Using the included graphic organizer, students refer back to the text and analyze what the helmet represents for four different characters. A detailed answer key is included for easy grading or guided class review.

Post Reading:

➡️ Wonder Plot Diagram: Students complete a structured plot diagram that outlines the exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution of the novel. This provides a clear visual reference for understanding the story’s structure.

➡️ Wonder Final Projects: End your Wonder unit plan with a selection of high-interest final project choices. Students can write poetry, create a novel soundtrack, design a comic strip, write an extra chapter, craft diary entries, record a podcast, or film a scene from the book. Each option allows students to demonstrate understanding creatively and meaningfully.

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