JWJ - A College Prep Middle School
2016- 2017 Summer Reading
Summer Reading for Language Arts:
Wonder by R.J. Palacio
Welcome, 6th graders, to James Weldon Johnson Middle School and the JWJ Language Arts program!
We would like to help you better succeed by providing you with some pre-reading, during-reading and post
(after) reading strategies. Attached to this letter, you will find a study guide that includes the following
materials:
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Three Assignments:
1. Part I: Pre-Reading Questions
2. Part II: During Reading Questions
3. Part III: After Reading Documentation
Documentation for additional books read over the summer.
DO NOT bring your
summer reading work
on the first day of
school – your teacher
will tell you when to
bring the work.
**What is due when school begins?**
 The three assignments
 Any additional summer reading documentation – the first reading goal of 800
pages (including the required summer books) will take place during the week of September 15.
It is advised that you read and log as many books over the summer as you can so you are ahead
of the goal.
o
**YOU DO NOT NEED TO DOCUMENT THE HISTORY SUMMER READING GOAL –
LANGUAGE ARTS TEACHERS WILL GET WITH THE HISTORY TEACHERS TO
DETERMINE WHO COMPLETED THE SUMMER READING WORK FOR CREDIT.**
The packet was designed to guide you through your reading of the novel Wonder and introduce you to some of
the strategies that will help you be more successful readers.
Because we will be working with the book when you first come to school, we ask that you keep your
copy of the book until we are finished with it. You will have a test over the book, also, and it
would be helpful if you had the book available to review and study.
We hope you enjoy this wonderful book, and we look forward to meeting you in the fall.
Sincerely yours,
The Sixth Grade Language Arts Teachers
James Weldon Johnson College Preparatory Middle School
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Part I: Pre-Reading Questions
Before you start to read Wonder, fill in the anticipation guide. For each statement, put an X that indicates
whether you agree or disagree with the statement.
Agree
Disagree
1. There is no difference between public school, being homeschooled, and going to a
private school.
2. You can tell how smart a person is just by looking at them.
3. If a new kid comes to school, it’s best to ignore them until they figure out who
they want to hang out with.
4. It is good to be different and stand out from all the other kids.
5. Sometimes change is a good thing, but it is still hard and we may not like it.
6. If you make a mistake, it’s best to cover it up and hope no one finds out.
7. It is always easy to be nice and kind to others.
8. Feelings of guilt about something you have thought, or said, or done affect how
you behave.
9. It’s not enough to be friendly. You have to be a friend. Charlotte Cody’s Precept
Then, CHOOSE 2 of the above statements to explain in more detail your decision to agree or disagree – explain
WHY. Make sure you write using complete and well thought out sentences.
Statement # _____
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Part II: During Reading
First, throughout reading, visit the following Blog as a great resource which will also tie in background information as
well as allusions often made throughout the book.
http://mrwreads.blogspot.com/2012/03/wonder-read-aloud-resources.html
PART 1: AUGUST
Look up the words and/or listen to Wonder by Natalie Merchant. While you read, think about why the author
included this as an introduction to the section about August.
SUMMARIZE
Who is involved in the section? List the characters.
What are some of the highlights of the events that occurred?
Why did the author include the excerpt from the song Wonder by Natalie Merchant at the beginning of this section?
How does it relate to the events of this section?
PART 2: VIA
Look up the words and/or listen to Space Oddity by David Bowie. While you read, think about why the author
included this as an introduction to the section from Via’s perspective.
SUMMARIZE
Who is involved in the section? List the characters.
What information do we learn about events previously introduced through Via’s perspective?
What are some of the highlights of the events that occurred?
Why did the author include the excerpt from the song Space Oddity by David Bowie at the beginning of this section?
How does it relate to the events of this section?
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PART 3: SUMMER
Look up the words and/or listen to Beautiful by Christina Aguilera. While you read, think about why the author
included this as an introduction to the section from Summer’s perspective.
SUMMARIZE
Who is involved in the section? List the characters.
What information do we learn about events previously introduced through Summer’s perspective?
What are some of the highlights of the events that occurred?
Why did the author include the excerpt from the song Beautiful by Christina Aguilera at the beginning of this section?
How does it relate to the events of this section?
PART 4: JACK
What information do we learn about events previously introduced through Jack’s perspective?
Jack’s section definitely has its ups and downs (good parts and bad). Fill in the chart with the good and bad things
that happened. If anything started out bad but was later good, list it in both columns.
Ups
Downs
Jack’s section began with a quote from The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery. How does the quote relate to
the events of this section?
PART 5: JUSTIN
One of the first things you’ll notice in Justin’s section is that he only occasionally capitalizes or punctuates sentences.
Why is this? How does this help you to get a better sense of the character of Justin?
What do we learn through Justin’s section?
Justin’s section began with a quote from The Elephant Man. How does the quote relate to the character of Justin?
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PART 6: AUGUST
Summarize the events that occur throughout this section.
This section contains several turning points to what has been happening throughout the story. List the turning points
you’ve noticed and how they have changed the story.
PART 7: MIRANDA
Miranda’s section is one of the shortest in the entire book, but tells us quite a bit. What information do we learn
through Miranda’s point of view?
PART 8: AUGUST
Look up the words and/or listen to Beautiful Child by Eurythmics. While you read, think about why the author
included this as an introduction to the last section of the book.
SUMMARIZE
This section contains the Climax or main turning point of the entire story. Describe the events that created the Climax
of the story.
How did the story change after the Climax?
Why did the author include the excerpt from the song Beautiful Child by Eurythmics at the beginning of this section?
How does it relate to the events of this section and the conclusion of the book?
APPENDIX: THE PRECEPTS
Read over the list of precepts listed in the Appendix. Which is your favorite precept? Explain why.
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Fill in the following chart during and/or after reading about each character. Add to the chart if anything changes.
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Part III: After Reading
Choose one of the following to complete:
Option 1 – Story Collage:
A collage is a page which is filled completely with pictures and words (no
negative or white space showing). Thinking about events and characters from the story, create a Wonder
collage. On the back, write a minimum of 1 paragraph (7+ sentences) explaining some of the highlights of your
collage and how those things relate to Wonder.
Option 2 – Letter to a Character:
Choose one of the characters who have told the story from
their perspective so far (August, Via, Summer, Jack and Justin). Think about what they have said, how they
interpret everything going on around them and the experiences they have had. Write a minimum of a 2
paragraph (7+ sentences each paragraph) letter to one of those characters letting them know how you feel
about their presentation and perspective of the events that occurred. Include quotes from the text that show
you were “paying attention” to what they had said and done.
Option 3 – Masks:
August wore a mask on Halloween and was finally able to feel “normal,” giving
high-fives and walking around with his head held high. Think about the invisible masks we wear to hide our
own feelings or emotions. Create a decorative mask that you could use to hide your own face. Then on a
separate sheet of paper, in 7+ sentences, explain what you might use the mask to hide (emotions, reactions,
etc.). Your response can be your own experiences, experiences of a friend/family member, or just general
situations.
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2016 Summer Reading Documentation:
While reading OTHER books over the
summer, make sure to document them so you can get credit. The first book goal of 800 pages (including the
required language arts and history summer reading books) will take place during the week of September 15.
Documentation can be completed using this form, or by copying the same information onto notebook paper.
Title: ___________________________________________________________________________________________
Author: __________________________________ Genre: __________________________ # Pgs: ____________
Summary (7-10 well thought-out sentences):
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Connections you made with the text in relation to yourself, the world, or other texts
(7-10 well thought-out sentences):
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