Wonder learning resource

• Watch the trailer. After watching it explain what you want to know more about? What stood out for you?
• What is the impact of the music?
• The trailer includes some voice-over comments by the main character, Auggie. What do you learn about Auggie's character from these comments?
• At the end of the trailer Auggie says: "If you really want to see what people are, all you have to do is look." What do you think he means?
• What audience is the trailer targeting?
• Did you notice the #choose kind hashtag at the end of the trailer? What do these words mean to you?
• Did the trailer make you want to see the movie? Explain.

Initial response to the film

• Share single words to describe what Wonder made you think and feel. Don't think too hard -- it can be interesting to share first impressions.
• How would you describe this film to a friend?
• What were some of the details and ideas that stood out for you when you were watching the film? Explain.
• Which scene was the most memorable? Why?
• In groups think about the message of the film. Join together as a class and share your thoughts. Make sure you support your answer with examples from the film.

Telling the story

• Who do you think is the target audience? Explain using examples from the film.
• The filmmakers included many filmmaking and storytelling ingredients to draw viewers into the story of Wonder. Working with a partner, list as many of these ingredients as you can. Now share with the rest of the class and see how big a list you can come up with as a class group.

Plot

Plot describes the events that keep the story (narrative) moving.

• What are the main events (plot points) in Wonder? Work with a partner or in a group to identify these key events.
• Come together as a class and see if you can come up with a whole class summary of the plot.

Narrative structure

Film narratives are usually organised into three sections, beginning, middle and end:

1. Beginning – the story and the main characters are introduced.
2. Middle – a problem or a conflict is faced.
3. End/conclusion – the complication or conflict is resolved.

Use the worksheet (below) to describe:

• what we learn about Auggie and the challenges he faces in the beginning of the film
• the problem he faces in the middle
• how this problem is resolved in the end.

If you prefer, you can sketch pictures to communicate this information.

The opening scene

When thinking about a film's narrative structure, it is helpful to look at the opening scene and consider how the story is introduced.

Watch the opening scene of Wonder (below) and then answer these questions:

• What is happening in the opening shot? Why did the director choose to begin with this shot? What does it tell us about Auggie?
• The opening scene not only introduces Auggie through what we see and hear in the moment but also through his voice over. A voice over describes when a character in a film tells or narrates parts of the story. In Wonder, the voice over helps us get to know Auggie and understand how he feels. What do you learn about Auggie through the voice over?
• In the opening scene, we hear one version of Auggie's story through the voice over and see and hear another version of these events. Why do you think these two versions of events are included?

The final scene

Watch the final scene (below) and then answer these questions:

• How did you feel as you watched the final scene of the film? What prompted those feelings? How did the music influence your feelings?
• What message do you think the filmmakers are trying to share through the way they ended the film?
• The film’s ending was criticised by one reviewer as “wildly sentimental” and clichéd. As a class discuss what these terms mean. What aspects of the ending is the reviewer referring to? Do you agree or disagree? Explain your answer.
• What is another way the film could have ended? Write a screen play for an alternative ending. Here is how to format your screenplay like a professional.

Exploring character

Auggie is the main character or protagonist of Wonder.

• How would you describe his character?
• Use the character development worksheet (below) to map how your understanding of his character grows over the course of the narrative.
• What does Auggie learn through the experiences and challenges he faces?
• What do other characters learn from Auggie?

Main characters

• As a class, make a list of the other main characters in the story. As you compile the list, share ideas about why they are central to the story.
• Describe each character‘s personality and their role in the story. What do we learn about them as the story progresses?
• Use the character development sheet (below) to map your ideas.

Minor characters

Any character in a story needs to be there for a reason. In Wonder, many of the minor characters make an impact on Auggie, sometimes positive and sometimes negative.

Choose a minor character that interests you.

• Describe them and their role in the narrative. What makes them memorable?
• In a group, discuss the minor characters you have explored and explain to others why you find this character particularly memorable.
• Use the character development sheet (below) to map your ideas.

Friendship

In Wonder we see how the different actions of characters impact the emotions and wellbeing of others. We hear what some of the teachers and the principal think about what it means to be a good friend. The film also shifts perspectives, we hear from the viewpoint of several characters and learn about their experience of friendship. By showing all these different viewpoints, maybe the film is asking us “What would you do in this situation? How would you act or react?”

• What makes a good friend?
• Who shows friendship in the film? How?
• When you’ve hurt someone’s feelings, how can you make it up to them?
• Which friendships have problems in the film? How do the characters solve these problems?
• Watch the clip (below), which shows a montage about Auggie and Jack's friendship. (A montage is a series of short scenes put together to show how a character or characters change over time.) What happens in this montage to show that Auggie and Jack are becoming friends?
• Imagine watching this montage without the music. What does the music add to the montage?

Identity and difference

• What does it mean to 'fit in'?
• Why do you think there is often pressure to fit in?
• When might it be important to fit in?
• How could you support someone to fit in?
• What do the following characters do to try to fit in? What happens when they try to fit in?
  • Auggie
  • Jack
  • Via
  • Miranda
• What does it mean to 'stand out'?
• Why do you think there is sometimes pressure to stand out?
• When might it be important to stand out?
• How could you help someone to stand out?
• Auggie can’t help standing out. What message does the film share about the benefits of being different?

Bullying

• What is bullying?
• Who is bullied in the film? Why?

Watch the clip (below) in which Mr Tushman talks to Julian and his parents:

• What do you think Julian has learned from his parents about how to treat people who are different?
• What is Mr Tushman trying to say to Julian (and his parents) about how to treat someone who is different?
• What do you think Julian has learned by the end of this scene?
• How does the film Wonder 'teach' us to respond with kindness to people who are different?
• What else can principals, teachers and students do to stop bullying in schools?

Gender

The film Wonder is based on R. J. Palacio’s book of the same name. Palacio was inspired to write the book when her son cried after seeing a girl with facial differences.

• Why do you think the author chose to have a male protagonist in her book?
• Would the film be different if the main character was female or another gender identity? If so, how would it be different

The next chapter

Imagine a new person starts school the following year at Beecher Prep, and Auggie, Summer and Jack decide to befriend them. Write about this character.

• What is this character’s name?
• Why are they starting at a new school in year 7?
• How do they cope with starting at a new school? Do they fit in easily or stand out? Why/why not?
• Do they want to be friends with Auggie, Summer and Jack? Why/why not? How do they become friends?

Create a montage

• In groups, plan and film a montage that portrays the growing friendship between Auggie, Summer, Jack and their new friend.
• Use these ACMI resources to help you create:
  • Find out how to write the script for your montage.
  • Find out how to create storyboards
• Learn about using your camera effectively

Create a book trailer

• Create a book trailer for Wonder by R. J. Palacio, or choose another book about facing the challenges of being different and create a book trailer for that book. You could choose a kids’ picture book, a graphic novel or even a biography.
• Learn how to make a book trailer here