WonderDigital Journal Activity

Based on the Trimester 1 essential question, “What makes a story?” and our study of Wonder, you will complete a series of Digital Journal Entries that examine how the author develops the central issues and themes concerning major characters and events in the novel. Each Journal Entry is worth 20 Points and the first 5 entries should include the following:

JOURNAL ENTRY RUBRIC:A Unique TitleOne Effective Visual200-250 WORDS in length (15-20 lines in 12 Point Font)Correct Spelling, Capitalization, Punctuation, and GrammarEffective Quotes – Properly Introduce, Punctuate, and add Insight for QuotesEffective Introduction and Conclusion SentenceUnique Insight and Personalized Details

Entries 1-4 should be created in PowerPoint, Keynote, or iBook, and your project should be titled Wonder Digital Journal.

Digital Journal Entry 5 will be a 60 second VLOG (Video Log). Specific instructions for the VLOG will be provided below.

Digital Journal Entries

Title Slide – A Page containing YOUR NAME, effective VISUALS, and your TITLE

Journal Entry #1 – Characterization - AugustBased on your reading of Wonder, evaluate the first impression readers’ get of the protagonist, August. Explain by giving examples of how three of the following characters: mom, dad, Jack, Julian, Mr. Tushman, or Via interact with August in the beginning of the novel.

Or…

Using evidence from the text (quotes) compare how students at Beecher Prep. react to August to the way you believe we’d treat Auggie at Del Mar. How would we, as students and teachers, respond to August Pullman if he were to attend our school? Be as specific and honest as possible.

Journal Entry #2 – Theme - InsecurityBased on your reading of Wonder, examine the theme of “insecurity” as it relates to two of the following characters: Julian, Jack, Summer, and Via. Compare and

Contrast the two characters by giving specific examples from the novel that show which character is the most insecure in their relationship with August.

Journal Entry #3 – What is Beauty?

Background: Throughout this unit, we have tried to expand how we define beauty. We’ve learned that beauty is often subjective (experienced differently for different people) and is much more than the media and society would have us believe. If we are open to it, we’ve learned that beauty can surprise and dazzle us when we least expect it.

Your Task: In this class, we have been considering the question, “What is beauty?” To help us answer this question for ourselves, each student is invited to take a picture of someone, some place or something they think is beautiful in some way. As discussed in class, please take a series of shots, ranging from long-shots to extreme close-ups (three photos total). Your photos should focus on what you think is most beautiful—literally or figuratively—about the person. Make the exercise as real for you as possible. Show us what you see.

Writing

Choose one of the photographs that you took and write an accompanying description that helps us “see” the photo. Your writing should include four of the five senses and careful attention to word choice and figurative language (simile, metaphor, personification, onomatopoeia, etc.). In this writing exercise, you will try to paint the picture with words!

Lastly, please write 3-5 sentences that explain why you choose this particular photo to exemplify your idea of beauty.

I look forward to your thoughtful work!

Wondering about Wonder:

A Collaborative, Digital, Multi-media Exercise

Journal Entry #4 – RelationshipsBased on your reading of Wonder, write a journal entry from the perspective of Via, Mom, Summer, or Jack that reflects on a significant event(s) in the novel that tested and ultimately strengthened their relationship with August.

Entry #5 – Dynamic Character VLOGVLOG (or Video Log) - Based on your reading of Wonder, create a 60 second VLOG from the point of view of August, Jack, Summer, or Via that reflects back on how that character changed (Dynamic Character) over the course of one school year: especially in relation to the character’s life being affected by their relationship with August.