A graphic novel is a type of text combining words and images in long-form, sequential art panels.

Refugees are people who have fled war, violence, conflict or persecution and have crossed an international border to find safety in another country.

A theme is a big idea, topic or message that recurs within a story.

Developing understanding of 'When Stars are Scattered' through rich discussions

English

In ’When Stars are Scattered: book club’ pupils have explored a refugee's memoir in graphic novel form. In ’No Country and Frizzy: graphic novels exploring identity and belonging’ pupils will explore a fictional narrative set in a near-dystopian future. Themes such as politics and migration are present in both texts.

In 'El Deafo: book club’ pupils have explored authentic experiences through the graphic novel form. In ’When Stars are Scattered: book club’ a narrative with increasingly mature themes is told, exploring the refugee experience.

In this unit, pupils explore and discuss the graphic novel memoir, 'When Stars are Scattered'. They discuss Omar Mohamed's experience of living in a refugee camp in Kenya and identify the key themes in the text. Finally, pupils make personal connections and recommendations.

'When Stars are Scattered': book club

Discriminatory behaviour or images, whether on the grounds of race, gender, disability, religion or belief or sexual orientation, or otherwise.

Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour

Subjects which particular individuals may be sensitive to, eg, adoption, migration, bereavement or death, divorce, poverty, deprivation.

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Depiction of war, threats of war, death or the aftermath of war.

Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

a text combining words and images in long-form, sequential art panels

people who have fled war, violence or conflict to find safety

a big idea, topic or message that recurs within a story

Omar and Hassan have been at Dadaab Refugee Camp for 7 Years

Omar takes a test to move on to Secondary school

After 15 years at Dadaab, Omar and Hassan are resettled in the United States

Order the following events from Omar's life.

True or False? Comics and graphic novels are the same form of literature.

noticing if something is just mentioned once

considering actions and characteristics of people within the text

identifying repetition (actions, emotions, traits)

How can you discover themes within a text?

represents the character's perspective through storytelling

Match the following graphic novel features with their role in the text.

Which of the following themes can be found in the text 'When Stars are Scattered'?

a close-knit group sharing bonds of kinship and support

learning and skill development in academic or practical contexts

a group sharing common interests, values, or location

assistance and support provided for the well-being of people in need

Match the following words with their definitions.

Which features are commonly found in memoirs?

Which of the following are **forms** of children's texts?

True or False? A theme of a text can be identified using retrieval skills.

a narrative told through poetry, blending prose and poetic elements

a longer fictional text with illustrations to support understanding

 a text that contains multiple poems by one author on a particular subject 

Which is the most suitable definition for a **graphic novel** text?

From the front cover, which of the following are likely to be **graphic novel** texts?

Content guidance

Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Adult supervision recommended

Introduction

What will you need for this lesson?

Are you ready to learn?

Equipment

Content guidance

Supervision

Worksheet