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Questions and Answers
The main characters walked into the auditorium with a couple of fifth graders.
The main characters walked into the auditorium with a couple of fifth graders.
False (B)
The fifth-grade staging area was located to the right of the stage.
The fifth-grade staging area was located to the right of the stage.
False (B)
Ms. Rubin was standing on the stage, waving the students in.
Ms. Rubin was standing on the stage, waving the students in.
False (B)
The students were supposed to sit in the order of their birthdays.
The students were supposed to sit in the order of their birthdays.
Summer was wearing a dark blue dress.
Summer was wearing a dark blue dress.
The Headmaster's Opening Remarks were given by Mr. Jansen.
The Headmaster's Opening Remarks were given by Mr. Jansen.
Middle-School Choir performed 'Under Pressure' and 'Canon in D' during the graduation ceremony.
Middle-School Choir performed 'Under Pressure' and 'Canon in D' during the graduation ceremony.
Mark Antoniak gave a commencement address to the sixth-grade students.
Mark Antoniak gave a commencement address to the sixth-grade students.
Mr. Tushman's speeches are notoriously short and to the point.
Mr. Tushman's speeches are notoriously short and to the point.
The awards presentation is a ceremony where the students are given medals for their athletic achievements.
The awards presentation is a ceremony where the students are given medals for their athletic achievements.
The seating arrangement at the graduation ceremony was done in random order.
The seating arrangement at the graduation ceremony was done in random order.
Mr. Tushman wrote only one commencement address for both the fifth- and sixth-grade graduation ceremony and the seventh- and eighth-grade ceremony.
Mr. Tushman wrote only one commencement address for both the fifth- and sixth-grade graduation ceremony and the seventh- and eighth-grade ceremony.
Mr. Tushman has been teaching students of this age for over twenty years.
Mr. Tushman has been teaching students of this age for over twenty years.
The students are graduating from high school.
The students are graduating from high school.
The quote about kindness comes from Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie.
The quote about kindness comes from Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie.
Mr. Tushman reads a passage from a book by Christopher Nolan.
Mr. Tushman reads a passage from a book by Christopher Nolan.
The speaker wants the students to focus on their academic achievements.
The speaker wants the students to focus on their academic achievements.
Mr. Tushman is known for giving short speeches.
Mr. Tushman is known for giving short speeches.
The passage mentions the students being kind to their teachers.
The passage mentions the students being kind to their teachers.
The speaker is addressing a group of college students.
The speaker is addressing a group of college students.
Study Notes
The Graduation Ceremony
- The story takes place at the Beecher Prep Middle School graduation ceremony, where the protagonist, Auggie, and his friends are attending.
- The ceremony is held in a huge auditorium with big sparkly chandeliers and red velvet walls.
The Program
- The program includes:
- Headmaster's Opening Remarks by Dr. Harold Jansen
- Middle-School Director's Address by Mr. Lawrence Tushman
- "Light and Day" by the Middle-School Choir
- Fifth-Grade Student Commencement Address by Ximena Chin
- Pachelbel: "Canon in D" by the Middle-School Chamber Music Ensemble
- Sixth-Grade Student Commencement Address by Mark Antoniak
- "Under Pressure" by the Middle-School Choir
- Middle-School Dean's Address by Ms. Jennifer Rubin
- Awards Presentation
Mr. Tushman's Speech
- Mr. Tushman gives a speech, reading from his notes and using his reading glasses.
- He welcomes everyone, including parents, grandparents, teachers, and students.
- He talks about the students being at the cusp of childhood and adolescence, and how this moment is special.
- He emphasizes the importance of measuring growth not just by physical changes, but by how students have chosen to spend their time and whom they have touched.
- He quotes J.M. Barrie's book, "The Little White Bird", saying "Shall we make a new rule of life ... always to try to be a little kinder than is necessary?"
- He also quotes Christopher Nolan's book, "Under the Eye of the Clock", saying "It was at moments such as these that Joseph recognized the face of God in human form. It glimmered in their kindness to him, it glow in their keenness, it hinted in their caring, indeed it caressed in their gaze."
- Mr. Tushman stresses the importance of kindness and its impact on others.
Conclusion
- Mr. Tushman concludes his speech, emphasizing the value of kindness and encouraging the students to try to be a little kinder than necessary.
- He hopes that if everyone in the room makes kindness a rule, the world would be a better place.
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Description
The narrator and Jack enter the auditorium for a school event. Mrs. G directs students to their seating areas. The auditorium is large and decorated with chandeliers.
