Have you been hunting for that perfect book study to use with your older speech therapy students? The book Wonder, by R.J. Palacio may just fit the bill! Reading this book with your students will give you a unique way to discuss nonverbal communication, perspective taking, vocabulary, and of course, kindness.
Using the Book Wonder to Study Perspective Taking and Nonverbal Communication in Speech Therapy
I loved studying the book Wonder with my speech therapy kiddos and I think you will too. Here is why: 1.) This book is dripping with language that perfectly describes different nonverbal communication actions and character perspectives. 2.) The types of nonverbal communication the author describes are very different than the examples we often see on drill cards or worksheets, so you have a lot of opportunities to discuss new and unfamiliar nonverbal communication. 3.) The book is chunked into sections that discuss the perspectives of different characters. But, the author also uses precise, descriptive language throughout the book that allows you to target this skill in every chapter. 4.) Students find this story relatable and encouraging, especially our students who might be different than their peers. 5.) Of course it discuss the importance of kindness, which is awesome. 6.) Even if the reading level is too high for a student to read independently, it is great for your student to spend time listening to you read and discuss the story. It will expose him/her to more advanced themes and vocabulary, which they can digest with you. Click here if you are interested in using this guide to help your students analyze the different kinds of nonverbal communication and practice perspective taking! If you read this book with your student/s, be prepared for it to take several weeks to read. This may not be ideal for every student. However, I believe that taking time with a student to explore a book above their reading level will help expand their comprehension abilities. Another bonus, it makes lesson planning much easier! Are you looking for more unique book activities to do with your students? Be sure to check these out |
