The opening of Via’s section of ‘Wonder’ has a quote from David Bowie’s song ‘Space Oddity’. This song ties in nicely with the ‘Star Wars’ motif that we have seen in Auggie’s own section. The line that is referenced is ‘Far above the world, Planet Earth is blue, And there’s nothing I can do’. Why do you think these words are relevant to Via?
Well done to all 5th Year students who took part in the King Lear Challenge on Wednesday 5th November. It was a most enjoyable occasion and the participants performed to an excellent standard. The fifth and third year audience members were highly impressed by the expression and dramatic skills of the ‘actors’. All participants were winners. There were two extremely engaging groups performances: Aaliyah and Britney with their interpretation of Goneril and Regan’s plotting against Lear, and Stephen, Michael, Luke, Jack and Nick’s re-enactment of the mock trial scene. Both groups were excellent. The soliloquies were very ably performed, with two presentations of Edmund’s bastard speech by Aoife and by Junior; two performances of Edgar’s transformation into Tom by Drew and by Simon; and a powerful recital of the Lear’s storm speech by Gavin. This kind of memorisation and personal dramatisation of a moment allows students to become experts in understanding the many facets of Shakespeare’sĀ King Lear. Congratulations to all.
There are many songs referenced throughout RJ Palacio’s novel ‘Wonder’ – the first of these shares its name. This beautiful song by Natalie Merchant has some powerful and moving lyrics.
Comment below on what it means to be a ‘wonder of God’s own creation’.
As we are about to start into ‘Wonder’, it might be worthwhile looking at this interview with the author, RJ Palacio. It will give you some insight into why she wrote the book and what kind of response she has had to it.
When you have watched this interview, write a comment below explaining the phrase ‘Never judge a book by its cover’.
English classes at Franciscan College, Gormanston, Co. Meath