About | wonder

About the Wonder Project

As we continue our discipleship journey in the new year, we would like to announce an exciting family activity! Up to this point, as families, we have focused on our discipleship ideas of being kind, responsible, respectful, and ready to learn. Families have taken journeys to think more about what these ideas look and feel like at school, at home, and in the community. Now, we are ready for the next adventure, which involves reading a novel together as a family and as a school community.

Families with students in grades 3-8 are receiving the novel Wonder by R.J. Palacio. In this novel, Auggie, the main character, is a ten-year-old boy who deals with a physical deformity. The book describes Auggie’s perspective on his life as a child with a deformity, and Wonder also portrays thoughts and feelings from the perspectives of the family, friends, and classmates in Auggie’s life. Being kind and being respectful are two themes at the forefront of this novel.

As you know, reading aloud and having set family time each night are essential in creating positive well being and dynamics at home. Children not only learn from read alouds, but they gain time with family to share feelings and thoughts, and to have time just to be close to family members. Reading this novel as part of the St. Brigid community also provides a sense of togetherness as we all strive to think more about what it means to be kind and to be respectful towards ourselves and others.

We are providing a bookmark calendar to help families pace themselves through the novel. This calendar is also posted on our new Wonder website, bit.ly/stbrigidwonder. We are hopeful that families will complete the novel read-aloud before spring break. Also, suggested activities for families to participate in are outlined below. Our hope is that each family accomplishes 2-3 of these activities before Easter break. Some choices are activities that will be accomplished at home, while other choices may ask families to get together at school or within the community.

Suggested Activities

As you read the novel, you will notice that precepts are a large part of the story. Find a precept that has significant meaning to your family. It may be in the book, or it may come from another source. On a piece of paper, copy the precept. Explain what it means to your family. Here is an example of a precept: “When given the choice between being right and being kind, choose kind.” Bring in the precept to school to display on the “Precept Wall.” Family precepts may be chosen to be part of daily morning announcements.

2. Draw a picture of what you imagine Auggie to look like. Base the drawing on descriptions in the novel.

3. Create a collage which represents a main theme in the novel. Include pictures, thoughts, and words.

4. Find a true story about someone who was kind. It may be someone in your family, in your school community, in your local community, or someone “famous.” Summarize the story. Include a picture of the person if you would like.

5. Listen to the song “Wonder” by Natalie Merchant. As you are listening, draw images that come to mind. How does this song relate to the novel?

6. Attend Lenten Soup Supper(s). As an act of kindness, consider making a donation to the Catholic Relief Services - Operation Rice Bowl.

Attend, as a family, a parish sponsored soup supper and Stations of the Cross. Discuss connections between the story Wonder and the Stations of the Cross.
Hold a neighborhood soup supper and book discussion.
Attend, as a family, the school sponsored soup supper and book discussion on Thursday March 12th. More details will follow.

7. Participate through online discussion questions located on the Wonder webpage.

As you complete activities, take photos of any of the activities completed. Email them to Jill Carfagna, jcarfagn@cdeducation.org, along with captions. These will be showcased in a new Wonder photo album. You may access the photo album through the homepage of our website, or please refer to the link, bit.ly/stbrigidwonder, to follow the Wonder journey.

Each week in the Wolfhound Wednesday, we will feature one discussion question. Please submit responses to Jill Carfagna, jcarfagn@cdeducation.org, to be posted on the Wonder website.

Calendar of Events

Pacing Guide

Jan 21-22: books go home

Jan 25-31: read pages 3-36

Feb 1-7: read pages 37-80

Feb 8-14: read pages 81-108

Feb 15-21: read pages 109-132

Feb 22-28: read pages 133-169

Mar 1-7: read pages 170-204

Mar 8-14: read pages 205-234

Mar 15-21: read pages 235-270

Mar 22-28: read pages 271-310

Mar 29-Apr 4: read Julian chapters (pgs. 311-404)

Events & Celebrations

Jan 21-22: books go home

Jan 25: Catholic Schools Week begins

Feb 1: Feast of St. Brigid

Feb 18: Ash Wednesday

Mar 12: School Sponsored Soup Supper

Mar 29-Apr 4: Holy Week

Apr 2: Holy Thursday

April 3: Good Friday

April 4: Holy Saturday

April 5: Easter Sunday