Cross-curricular #AlQaReading Carrying out a scientific research on Treacher Collins Syndrome #co-teaching WONDER (J. R. Palacio)

Cross-curricular #AlQaReading Carrying out a scientific research on Treacher Collins Syndrome #co-teaching WONDER (J. R. Palacio)

Teachers: Victoria Merino, Science Specialist Teacher

Marina Hurtado, Literacy Adviser

FIRST SESSIONS

Our protagonist in WONDER, Auggie Pullman, has a facial deformity in 'Wonder' that is called Treacher Collins Syndrome. This syndrome is a rare, genetic disorder characterised by: underdevelopment of the cheek and jaw bones, widely separated eyes, malformation of the lower eyelid and lack of eyelashes, malformation of the ear auricle, lack of an external ear canal with resultant conductive deafness, and other, less common abnormalities. Respiratory problems may be present in the newborn. Intelligence is normal. Treatment includes correction of the deafness by use of a hearing aid or by surgical construction of an ear canal and, sometimes, plastic surgery to enlarge the jaw.

Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. "mandibulofacial dysostosis". Encyclopedia Britannica, 12 Sep. 2008, https://www.britannica.com/science/mandibulofacial-dysostosis. Accessed 16 November 2023.

As our #AlQaReading book “Wonder” is more and more appealing to our students with its film adaption so does the interest of our students on rare diseases. Awareness and inclusion of people with facial differences and especially with syndromes like Treacher Collins is the rationale behind this cross-curricular research project. This project has been designed by Dr. Victoria Merino Puerto and Marina Hurtado, our Literacy Adviser. The idea is to create three sessions that put student explorations at the centre of learning.

We want to understand Auggie Better. We want to put ourselves on his shoes. We want to delve into the story as well as to stay informed by learning how to carry out a scientific research.