Thursday, March 1, 2012

Wonder - Part One: August



Wonder by Natalie Merchant

Doctors have come from distant cities just to see me.
Stand over my bed, disbelieving what they're seeing.

They say I must be one of the wonders of god's own creation.
And as far as they see they can offer no explanation.

Newspapers ask intimate questions, want confessions.
They reach into my head to steal the glory of my story.

They say I must be one of the wonders of god's own creation.
And as far as they see they can offer no explanation.

O, I believe fate smiled and destiny laughed as she came to my cradle,
Know this child will be able. Laughed as my body she lifted, 
Know this child will be gifted with love, with patience and with faith.
She'll make her way.

People see me, I'm a challenge to your balance.
I'm over your heads, how I confound you and astound you
To know I must be one of the wonders of god's own creation.
And as far as you can see you can offer me no explanation.

O, I believe fate smiled and destiny laughed as she came to my cradle.
Know this child will be able. Laughed as she came to my mother,
Know this child will not suffer, Laughed as my body she lifted,
Know this child will be gifted with love, with patience and with faith.
She'll make her way.

Continue to pages 1-26.
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93 comments:

  1. Unknown9/14/12, 3:12 PM

    Mr. Wilhorn, thank you for this fabulous resource!! There are six classes reading Wonder at my school and they all find your work amazing. We all so appreciate that you've shared your research with us!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. thedevineone9/19/12, 11:59 AM

    Agreed, Wow I feel so fortunate to have stumbled upon your site. I can't thank you enough for sharing. My sixth graders will be turning to your site frequently.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Anonymous10/12/12, 8:29 AM

    Thank you so much for this Wonderful resource (nice pun, huh?) I am starting the read aloud with my grade 7 students today, 10/13/12. I'll keep you posted!

    ReplyDelete
  4. mrs pumo11/16/12, 1:31 PM

    Mr. Wilhorn, you really have added so much to this story and the impact that this book already is making that you can possibly know. My students and I thank you with all our hearts!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Mr. Wilhorn11/16/12, 1:46 PM

    You are welcome. I still can't believe that resources I created for my students have been so widely used and found to be so helpful by so many. I'm honored. Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous10/9/20, 3:41 PM

      wow 2012

      Delete
    2. Mr. Wilhorn10/9/20, 3:42 PM

      Eight years later and here we are.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous11/4/20, 2:27 PM

      i wish it was 2012

      Delete
    4. Anonymous3/24/21, 12:47 PM

      Really great and helpful

      Delete
    5. Unknown11/8/21, 6:33 AM

      Did you use these resources on the blog before reading the mentioned pages or after reading the pages?

      Delete
    6. Mr. Wilhorn11/8/21, 8:01 AM

      It depends. A page like this one I would use before reading to introduce the section and get students to think about the possible significance of the lyrics that were chosen for this part.

      In the first chapters where there are picture of shoes, I would show those images as I was reading and then have a quick discussion about why Auggie keeps noticing shoes, where his eyes must be and why, and what that shows us about him.

      Sometimes it works to show things after reading. "Oh, by the way, when Auggie mentioned [this], here's what that might have looked like. The mummies come to mind as an example of that.

      Delete
  6. Shelly P.1/7/13, 10:27 AM

    Thank you so much! I have started the book with my 5th graders today, 1-7-13. It is such a great resource you created.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Anonymous1/7/13, 11:46 AM

    Nice

    ReplyDelete
  8. Heather Temske1/16/13, 7:31 PM

    The is such a fantastic find. My class will be yet another thankful for all the hard work you have put in!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Anonymous2/27/13, 3:52 PM

    Can't express how much I appreciate all your hard work!!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. messi1/14/16, 1:06 PM

      This song is sad and the book is sad and funny

      Delete
    2. sv_natalfos221/30/16, 11:02 PM

      I like the book Wonder because Auggie is so funny in the story.

      Delete
    3. Unknown8/7/16, 7:42 PM

      i know right best book ever

      Delete
    4. Unknown8/7/16, 7:43 PM

      the book was awesome

      Delete
    5. Anonymous12/12/17, 7:44 AM

      auggie is wonderful

      Delete
    6. Anonymous12/13/18, 4:17 PM

      I love August.

      Delete
    7. Anonymous4/13/20, 2:47 PM

      This book was amazing

      Delete
    8. Unknown9/14/20, 12:08 PM

      this book is amazing

      Delete
    9. Anonymous11/7/20, 8:56 PM

      I love this book

      Delete
  10. Anonymous3/3/13, 6:11 PM

    This is amazing. Thank you for sharing your resources!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Anonymous3/26/13, 11:59 AM

    This site is great! Thanks, Homeschooler Parent

    ReplyDelete
  12. Mrs G4/15/13, 2:52 AM

    Absoluely wonderful resources for this outstanding novel. Thank you so much.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Anonymous7/2/13, 8:04 PM

    How WONDERfully this song pairs with the book. A whole new meaning to this song for me. I am totally brought to tears. This book seriously changed my life view. Thank you for showing this and thank you Natalie for writing such a beautiful song.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Caroline Adams VHEW7/23/13, 11:15 AM

    thank you, Mr. Wilhorn!!!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Anonymous10/18/13, 7:31 AM

    LOVE this thank you so very much for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Unknown11/17/13, 7:17 PM

    such a beautiful song!!!!!!!!!!! It makes me wanna cry!!!!!!!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Bella2/13/14, 12:03 AM

    Thank you for this extraordinary resource! I'm not a teacher but my teacher uses this and she likes it very much! I like it a lot because it helps visualize the book and kind of bring it to life! I am in fifth grade and my teacher reads Wonder by R.J Palacio aloud to our class! I love the book and this site! Thank you very much for linking the videos and for making it easier because my teacher cant go on YouTube so the way you linked the vides really helped! I love also how you linked the pages so that having to click on the page did not interfere with our focus and concentration! Thank you very very much and also can you do one on Princess Academy by Shannon Hale? Its a great book! Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mr. Wilhorn2/13/14, 8:44 AM

      Thanks for the compliments. I'm glad you like using the images and videos with the book.

      As for making a resource like this for Princess Academy, that would be kind of hard. Where would we find pictures of Mount Eskel or other places in the book? You are right, however. It is a great book!

      Delete
  18. Anonymous10/1/14, 8:52 AM

    Excellent resource! Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Anonymous11/19/14, 11:41 AM

    amazing book i love it

    ReplyDelete
  20. v sanita12/30/14, 10:21 AM

    I am a Teacher Librarian and I look forward to sharing your site with my Literature Circle members this coming year. It really is an amazing resources to support the study of this great book. Thank you for sharing your work with us.

    Mrs. Sanita

    ReplyDelete
  21. Mr. Crane1/12/15, 9:49 AM

    Hi Mr. Wilhorn,
    Our class just finished reading Wonder, and the Julian chapter. We really loved the book and your blog. The pictures really helped our class understand what was going on and gave us a good way to visualize what was happening in the book. We just wanted to tell you that we appreciate this wonderful resource that you created. Thanks,
    Mr. Crane's grade 4/5 class.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mr. Wilhorn1/12/15, 10:28 AM

      I'm so glad the site was a valuable resource for you and your class, Mr. Crane. Thank you for taking the time to leave a comment to let me know.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous9/26/15, 3:17 PM

      hi

      Delete
  22. Anonymous1/13/15, 10:04 AM

    I liked it, although I am a student. Lol.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Anonymous1/13/15, 8:53 PM

    That was really beautiful. I often feel that songs reflect well on books and this was no exception. Natalie Merchant was, once again, amazing.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Anonymous3/30/15, 1:32 PM

    I really thought this song was great.

    ReplyDelete
  25. TeachMe4/23/15, 10:32 AM

    I am a special education teacher at the high school level. My kids read at levels that range from K-9th grade. We have begun reading this book as a group and I can honestly say that they have really taken to it. For me it has been a challenge to generate material that supports all of their academic needs. This website has been an invaluable resource to my class and I. I cannot thank you enough for putting it all together! Thank you Thank You Thank You!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mr. Wilhorn4/23/15, 10:50 AM

      I'm so happy it's a valuable resource. I'm continually amazed that something I put together for my class is being used by so many other people. Thank you!

      Delete
  26. Anonymous9/13/15, 5:41 PM

    I received the book as a gift from a parent. I spent all weekend reading it and am in love with the book! Thank you so much for all of these amazing resources. My class is reading Esperanza Rising right now and I can't wait till we are finished so that we can start Wonder! I can't wait to see how it changes their lives! Thank you again!!

    ReplyDelete
  27. Anonymous12/7/15, 4:11 PM

    My teacher said before she played this song that she might cry...she did.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mr. Wilhorn12/7/15, 4:13 PM

      That's because she knows that all of her students are Wonders, even if you all don't see it for yourselves.

      Yet.

      Delete
  28. Unknown1/12/16, 2:04 PM

    I am a new teacher and plan on reading wonder to my students to start the year off. I love your resource but was wondering how you would present this to your students?? Do you read the chapters 1st? Then go through the visuals?? Would love to know how you and others have used it??

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mr. Wilhorn1/12/16, 3:59 PM

      Most of the time I share items as I read. If something can be shared quickly (like red converse shoes or light sabers) I'll quickly scroll down so the image is visible on the projector, barely taking a break from the reading. I rarely, however, stop reading when something is mentioned. Additional sharing and discussion will happen at natural breaks in the text like between chapters and sections. The introductions to each section with songs lyrics or book excerpts are always presented and discussed before reading.

      Hope that helps.

      Delete
  29. sv_natalfos221/30/16, 11:05 PM

    The book Wonder is so funny because Auggie always laughs about his jokes with his friends a lot.

    ReplyDelete
  30. Anonymous6/27/16, 10:25 AM

    Just WOW!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous8/29/17, 4:40 PM

      i know right? such a great book and great "blog"

      Delete
  31. Miss Daphne7/4/16, 9:43 AM

    Mr. Wilhorn, I am in the process of creating a Hyperdoc for my students for September. I would like use some of your Wonder resource pages as links. I will give you full credit. Please let me know of this is okay with you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mr. Wilhorn7/7/16, 8:48 AM

      Yes, that would be fine, and I'd love to see the finished product.

      Delete
  32. Mr. D9/5/16, 5:54 AM

    Hi,

    Thank you for all of your hard work putting this together - a great resource for a great book!
    As I prepare to review proper nouns I had a question about the song lyrics from Natalie Merchant's song. I noticed that God was written with a lowercase g as "god". I want to instruct my students that specific names of people are capitalized. Was that just a typo?

    Thanks,

    Mr. D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mr. Wilhorn9/6/16, 2:29 PM

      I remember thinking about that when I posted it. I found the lyrics online and copied/pasted them into the post. I noticed the small G and simply thought, "That's the way I found it so that's the way I'll leave it." Now that I re-Google the lyrics, I notice a pretty even split between capital and lowercase G. Also (and I don't have my copy of the book handy) I believe it is lowercase in the opening of the book, so I wanted to match that.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous11/20/17, 7:32 PM

      Teaching in an international school with children from Muslim, Buddhist, Christian and Hindu faiths in my class of 22 the lower 'g' suits us fine - I have referred to our own god - whoever that may be.

      Delete
    3. Brian11/23/17, 10:20 AM

      That seems like the perfect approach for any class.

      Delete
  33. Anonymous9/28/16, 8:28 AM

    this is a reely nice book

    ReplyDelete
  34. Anonymous9/28/16, 12:55 PM

    Mr. W, my students absolutely love all of the connections you help them make. We read Wonder last year, and we are starting on the Julian Chapter this year. My students can't wait to see the movie that comes out in April of 2017. That will definitely be a field trip!

    ReplyDelete
  35. Anonymous11/1/16, 4:12 PM

    this is so good i love the book

    ReplyDelete
  36. Anonymous11/1/16, 4:14 PM

    thank you
    very encouraging

    ReplyDelete
  37. Anonymous11/1/16, 4:15 PM

    thank you for this amazing source i love it the book is awsome this song is also amazing

    ReplyDelete
  38. Anonymous1/5/17, 7:55 AM

    this is cool

    ReplyDelete
  39. Anonymous2/15/17, 3:00 PM

    I LOVE THIS SONG!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  40. Unknown6/24/17, 6:12 PM

    This novel will be the first book to begin the new school year. Please do not remove it. It has very useful information!

    Thank you so much!

    ReplyDelete
  41. Unknown7/24/17, 11:30 AM

    WOW! I Love This Song!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  42. Unknown9/11/17, 8:00 PM

    I am student teaching right now and will be teaching this novel starting next week. These resources are just what I needed to help my students! Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  43. School Counselor10/4/17, 1:39 PM

    I have been using this blog as a resource with my middle school book clubs for years. Thank you so much! This year i am using it with two special education classes and I am sure it will assist with their comprehension!

    ReplyDelete
  44. Anonymous10/26/17, 12:39 PM

    THANKS SOOOO MUCH FOR THIS RESOURCE!!!! MY CLASS IS LOVING THE BOOK AND ALL YOUR CONNECTIONS TO THE NOVEL!!!

    ReplyDelete
  45. Anonymous11/18/17, 10:39 AM

    I have been using your site for Wonder with my 5th graders since the book first came out and I discovered these resources. They have been one of the best foundations for the book, and my students have gained valuable insight. I'm curious, now that the movie has come out (my class will be going to a local theater to see it in January when we finish the book), what, if any modifications, will you add to your plans?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mr. Wilhorn11/20/17, 1:24 PM

      First of all, thanks for the compliments on these resources. That a simple blog started as a way to fill in some gaps in background knowledge for my 5th and 6th graders has become something that's used around the world is both amazing and humbling.

      Your question is an interesting one, and I'm equally curious to find out the answer to it! I am going to see the movie with our fifth graders tomorrow after starting our year with the book. (They are the 14th, 15th, and 16th classes I've read Wonder aloud to, if my math is correct.) I created a visual resource to support the images in my imagination, but now I'll be watching someone else's visual interpretation of the book.

      I've never thought about making any modifications before receiving your message. I think the book will continue to stand on its own without the movie and without this website. I've come to accept that movies are interpretations of novels, not visual translations of them, and I'm quite content to allow readers to see the movie their imaginations produce rather than the one produced for them by Hollywood.

      So if I make any modifications, as I do occasionally, I don't think they will be due to the movie. But we'll see after tomorrow!

      Delete
    2. Mr. Wilhorn11/21/17, 12:27 PM

      I just saw the movie and don't think I'll be making any modifications. The movie stands alone quite well. And, obviously, the book stands strongly by itself as well.

      Delete
  46. Anonymous12/5/17, 3:53 PM

    Thank you for your wonderful resource. You are very generous!

    ReplyDelete
  47. Mr H2/12/18, 10:27 PM

    Mr W, I have been using this blog as an accompaniment to Wonder every 2nd year for the last 6 years (can't do the book every year - darn it!) & it is fantastic. Can I echo the thanks & appreciation of everyone else for creating & sharing such a wonderful resource.
    This year, I found this link to part of a documentary that shows Natalie Merchant discussing writing the song, and interviews some of the people her song has touched. You may (or may not) want to add it to your resources. Cheers, Mr H.
    http://www.nonesuch.com/media/video/natalie-merchant-introducing-wonder

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mr. Wilhorn2/13/18, 10:05 AM

      What a great video. What a great story. I'll have to see if I can embed it on the website, but YOU have shared the video with everyone already, and thank you for that!

      Delete
  48. Unknown9/13/18, 10:26 AM

    good song

    ReplyDelete
  49. Unknown10/8/18, 8:43 PM

    This website is awesome

    ReplyDelete
  50. Unknown2/15/19, 2:00 PM

    Mr. Wilhorn,
    What a wonderful website. I can't thank you enough for this resource. I truly appreciate the time you took to create this. The students will have a much deeper appreciation of the story. It will definitely increase their inference skills

    ReplyDelete
  51. Unknown3/15/19, 4:17 PM

    this site is great its amazing everyone should use this site

    ReplyDelete
  52. Anonymous5/20/19, 4:07 PM

    thank you for this

    ReplyDelete
  53. Unknown5/20/19, 4:07 PM

    thank you for this

    ReplyDelete
  54. Unknown9/23/19, 1:43 PM

    This site is amazing!
    It is so Cool!

    ReplyDelete
  55. Unknown2/20/20, 9:06 AM

    This site is amazing!
    It is so epic!

    ReplyDelete
  56. Anonymous4/13/20, 8:42 AM

    This song was fabulas

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mr. Wilhorn4/13/20, 8:48 AM

      I like the original version of the song as well, but I felt this live version was so heart-felt and allowed readers/listeners to focus more on the lyrics. Such a good song!

      Delete
  57. Unknown9/22/20, 8:50 AM

    This song is amazing, so inspiring. A theme that I noticed is love. love because, you should love yourself, and others the same no matter how they look or act.

    ReplyDelete
  58. Anonymous11/4/20, 11:58 AM

    OMG I HAVE LISTEN TO THIS SONG 4 TIMES TODAY I LUV THISSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

    ReplyDelete
  59. Anonymous11/9/20, 1:19 PM

    THIS SONG IS REALLY GOOD ITS LIKE THE JAM- its likeso good i listen to it FOUR TIMES!!

    ReplyDelete
  60. Anonymous11/7/22, 7:55 AM

    this is a good song it cool. by kc 1000

    ReplyDelete

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