Day Of "Wonder" For Middle Schools

Language Arts teachers at Garfield Middle School wore "Wonder" t-shirts as students discussed the impact of the book's theme to "choose kind."

District middle school students spent September 4 pondering what what a wondrous place their schools would be if everyone chose kindness, one of the themes of this year’s summer reading book, “Wonder,” by R.J. Palacio.

“Wonder” is a story about August Pullman, a 10-year-old who looks very different from his peers due to a facial abnormality, and his journey from life as a comfortable homeschooler to the throes of middle school.

Students at both Garfield and Harding spent their Language Arts classes delving into the themes of the book and how they relate to them and their communities. A short video produced by the Children’s Craniofacial Association really hit home for the students demonstrating the fact that just because a person looks different than "the norm" on the outside doesn’t mean that they don’t feel the same feelings everyone else does on the inside.

Students spent time discussing how their school community might look different if everyone “chose kind” over nasty. In talking with their peers, students quickly realized the huge impact bullying can have on their school.

“School might be a little quieter.”

“Some kids would feel safer and maybe even like school a little more.”

“People would feel better about themselves.”

“People would come wanting to participate.”

Students also talked about moments when they or someone they witnessed chose kindness and what impact that had on them. The larger discussion moved into how each person’s actions have an impact and how these actions potentially affect lives.

To tie all the themes and activities together, students were asked to create their own plan for choosing kindness as a personal goal for the year. The teachers plan to continue discussing the themes of the book and incorporating them into lessons throughout the year at both buildings.

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Volume 10, Issue 19, Posted 4:31 PM, 09.16.2014