Wonderstruck

Written and Illustrated by Brian Selznick
Copyright ©2011
Published by Scholastic Press

Reading Level: Grades 3-7
Grade Level Equivalent: 5.4
Lexile Measure: 830L
Fountas and Pinnell Guided Reading: W
Accelerated Reader Points: 4.0
DRA:60

Genre: Historical Fiction, Graphic Novel, Fiction

Description:
Ben and Rose both want different lives. Ben wants to meet the Father he never knew. Rose longs to be around people like her. Ben's story is told in words, Rose's story is told through pictures. This touching story will keep you hooked until the last page.

5 Words/Phrases to describe the Book: children living with disabilities, living with loss, friendship, reunion, mystery

Suggested Delivery: independent reading

Technology to Enhance Learning:

Space Oddity:

"Space Oddity" by David Bowe is a constant symbol in this book. Often Ben finds comfort in thinking about the song. Having the students listen to the song and see the lyrics before reading can help them understand the references.


Sign Language:
Sign language and learning sign language is also a big part of the book. Students can learn the sign language alphabet here and with a little practice students can sign their own names.

Before, During, and After Reading Activities:

Before Reading:

I Wonder Why: The teacher begins by making "I Wonder Why" statements related to the reading topic to encourage students to activate prior knowledge. As students become more adept, the questions can become more complex and require higher level thinking skills. During Reading: CAUSE AND EFFECT CHAIN This strategy helps students recognize cause and effect relationships. The cause and effect chain may be used to look at a series of events that are a result of one another or are caused by one another, like a chain reaction. The cause and effect chain graphic organizer reinforces the idea that each CAUSE brings about a related EFFECT, that in turn each EFFECT becomes a CAUSE for the next effect, and that all CAUSES lead to the final EFFECT. The example of a trail of dominoes being knocked over often helps students visualize this relationship. If one domino does not fall, the final effect will change. 1.         Distribute the Cause and Effect Chain graphic organizer. 2.         Students begin the chain by writing the initial cause in the first box. Students continue filling in effects and causes until the chain is complete. 3.         Students may be directed to enter signal words on the lines provided between the boxes.  After Reading: Timeline: Because the story occurs during two different decades a good way to assess comprehension would be to have the students great two timelines. One for Ben's Story and one for Rose's story. A great thing to look for is when the two stories collide.  Writing Activity: A writing activity to assess with this book could be in the form of an exit slip. Along with the timeline have students write short(1 to 2 sentence(s)) summaries for each event that occurs.  Vocabulary: Undulating: move with a smooth wavelike motion Revelation: a surprising and previously unknown fact, especially one that is made known in a dramatic way.  Personalize: design or produce (something) to meet someone's individual requirements Archive: a collection of historical documents or records providing information about a place, institution, or group of people Meteorite: a meteor that survives its passage through the earth's atmosphere such that part of it strikes the ground. More than 90 percent of meteorites are of rock, while the remainder consist wholly or partly of iron and nickel. Engraving: the process or art of cutting or carving a design on a hard surface, especially so as to make a print. Acquisition: an asset or object bought or obtained, typically by a library or museum.