5th Grade Diversity Lesson Plan

Title of Book: Wonder

Author: R. J. Palacio
Publication Date: February 14, 2012
Grade Level: 3rd grade – 8th grade
Multicultural Themes: Self-acceptance, Acceptance of others, Prejudice, Friendship, Family
structures, Bullying, Kindness
Materials Needed: The book Wonder, journal, paper, and pencils
Standards Addressed: CCSS.ELA-Literacy. RL. 5.1 Quote accurately from a text when explaining
what the text says explicitly and when drawing inferences from the text.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy. RL. 5.3 Compare and contrast two or more characters,
settings, or events in a story or drama, drawing on specific details in the text (e.g., how
characters interact).
CCSS.ELA-Literacy. W. 5.3 Write narratives to develop real or imagined
experiences or events using effective technique, descriptive details, and clear event sequences.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy. W. 5.4 Produce clear and coherent writing in which
the development and organization are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.
Objective: The student will be able to identify examples of prejudice and kindness from the
text in group discussion with 90% accuracy.
The student will be able to compare and contrast characters’ personalities,
behavior, and family structure in group discussion and in individual writing with 95% accuracy.
The student will be able to reflect on and illustrate his/her personal experiences
with kindness by writing journal entries with 90% accuracy.
Procedure:
Introduce: Show the book Wonder by R.J. Palacios and say “Today we are going to begin
reading a story about a boy who is treated differently simply because of the way he looks. Have
any of you ever been treated differently because you looked different? How did it make you
feel? Have you ever treated someone differently because of the way they looked?” Brief
discussion about prejudice and kindness.
Read: Students will spend 30 minutes each day reading individually.
 Discuss: Once students have finished the book, they will be given 5 questions to reflect
on. Then students will discuss the answers to the questions as a group with the teacher.
Question 1: What do you think “It is always brave to be kind” means? What do you think
“Fortune favors the bold” means? How do they relate to each other?
Question 2: Briefly describe your favorite character and 3 reasons why he/she is your
favorite character. Then compare your character with someone who has a different character.
Question 3: Why do you think Julian had such a hard time with Auggie? Can you relate
to him at any level?
Question 4: Discuss what happened at the ice cream parlor with Jack’s babysitter. What
do you think you would have done if put in that position?
Question 5: How do you feel about Mr. Browne’s precepts and do you have a favorite? If
so what is it?
Activities: Students will compare and contrast two characters from the book in an essay.
Students will perform acts of kindness in their daily lives and then record
their experiences and thoughts about the experience in their journals. (Hands on)
Evaluation: Teacher will review essays and journal entries to check accuracy.