Summer

Playful Pets were introduced to Summer. To get us thinking about this character we listened to a song whose lyrics the author wrote on the page to introduce the part about Summer, August's lunch buddy.

Ordinary

On Wednesday we did a close read of the initial chapter of "Wonder". We wrote down our thoughts on the board and this showed some questions and ideas that helped us form a response to the text. Ms Montilla read the first few chapters to the class. 

The chapter was entitled, "ordinary" and immediately, it drew students to the story, including looking at the cover page and how it attracted and affected our thoughts.

Sharing "Wonder"

After months of trying to find a partner class with whom to share, "Wonder", today we found our partner. BOPDs had a visitor today who is a teacher from a school run by the MAKABATA Foundation. She asked to sit in our class because she is here as part of the Middle School Classroom Without Walls event. We welcomed her to our class and we presented our idea and gift to her. Students explained what brought us to prepare this gift consisting of a copy of the book "Wonder" and "How to fill your bucket", and a book filled with notes written by BOPDs about what the story meant to us and why we want to share it with others. The visiting teacher was grateful and excited to share the book with her Third Grade students. We are ecstatic about finding a partner class with whom we can build a relationship.

Sharing the sad parts

This week we read a sad part in the book, "Wonder". It was the part when Daisy, the dog, died in the story. As we shared another gripping chapter together, we looked at the characters and how they responded to this tragedy.

An act of kindness

BOPDs have loved reading the book, "Wonder" and have decided to share the story with another class. They plan to send a copy of the book together with notes that they wrote explaining why it means so much to them and why they recommend it for a read-aloud.

Chapters

During our continued read-aloud of the book, "Wonder", we reached the chapter when his sister Via described him as others see him. At the end of the reading, a student suggested that we draw Auggie again and compare our drawings from then and now. The next day, we drew Auggie while Ms Montilla read chapters. Next week, we will look over these drawings and share what we notice.

Who is Auggie?

BOPDs have been enjoying the book, "Wonder". This week we met other characters outside of Auggie's family and we are beginning to form ideas about who they are, We recognized that dialogue is crucial in unraveling truths about a character and seek to apply this to our own writing. Today, Ms Montilla read a few chapters while we listened to her, and we painted who Auggie is in our eyes. We also added a line that we have heard him speak.