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Year 4

Developing an understanding of 'El Deafo' through rich discussions

I can discuss the main ideas of 'El Deafo'.

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Share activities with pupils
New
New
Year 4

Developing an understanding of 'El Deafo' through rich discussions

I can discuss the main ideas of 'El Deafo'.

Download all resources
Share activities with pupils

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. El Deafo is a graphic novel memoir based on author Cece Bell's childhood.
  2. At the age of four, in 1974, Cece is diagnosed as deaf, following a bout of meningitis.
  3. The narrative follows her journey using a hearing aid and starting school.
  4. Graphic novels have many unique elements which allow readers to make meaning from both words and image.
  5. People may use Deaf and deaf terms differently based on their personal preferences and experiences.

Common misconception

Pupils may expect all experiences with deafness and the Deaf community to reflect this text.

Explain to the children that the text explores an individual’s recount of their experiences; it is not reflective of every experience within the Deaf community. Pupils could read additional texts to develop greater awareness and empathy.

Keywords

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

  • Memoir - A memoir is a historical account or biography written from personal knowledge.

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

  • Deaf - Deaf (capitalised) refers to individuals who identify with the Deaf community, sometimes using sign language to communicate.

  • Deaf - deaf (lower case) refers to a medical or physical condition of hearing loss.

Pupils must have read the text in advance of this lesson. Individual or double-page spreads can be handed to pupils to develop greater awareness of graphic novel features. Adults can model examples and pupils can share understanding with peers.
Teacher tip

Equipment

You need a copy of the 2014 Amulet Books edition of ‘El Deafo’ written and illustrated by Cece Bell, for this lesson.

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Video

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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
True or False? A memoir is usually written in the first-person perspective.
Correct Answer: True, true
Q2.
What is an autobiography?
poetry without strict rhyme or meter; it emphasises natural speech rhythms.
Correct answer: a written account of a person's life, written by that person
a contemporary tale often involving gods and supernatural creatures.
Q3.
Which of the following are forms of children's texts?
Correct answer: picturebook
science fiction
Correct answer: poetry collection
animal stories
Correct answer: graphic novel
Q4.
Which of the following are examples of non-fiction texts?
Correct answer: Science and Nature Magazine
Grimwood by Nadia Shireen
Caribbean Dozen: Poems from thirteen Caribbean poets
Correct answer: Survivors: Extraordinary tales from the wild and beyond
Q5.
What features would you expect to find in a graphic novel?
Correct answer: speech bubbles
Correct answer: characters and character design
Correct answer: captions
traditional paragraphs
Q6.
Which is the most suitable definition for a theme within a text?
the surrounding details that help understand what you're reading
how a character's feelings and emotions change throughout a story
a protagonist with noble qualities, often saving or helping others
Correct answer: a big idea, topic or message that repeats within a story
Q4 image 1 Science + Nature Magazine © 2023 Future Publishing Limited Q4 image 2 Grimwood, Nadia Shireen, Simon & Schuster Q4 image 3 Caribbean Dozen: Poems from Thirteen Caribbean Poets, John Agard (ed.), Grace Nichols (ed.), Walker Books Q4 image 4 Survivors, David Long, Kerry Hyndman, Faber & Faber

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Match the keywords to their definitions.
Correct Answer:graphic novel,a text combining words and images in long-form, sequential art panels

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

Correct Answer:memoir,a historical account or biography written from personal knowledge

a historical account or biography written from personal knowledge

Correct Answer:theme,a big idea, topic or message that recurs within a story

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

Q2.
Order the following events from Cece Bell's life.
1 - Aged 4, Cece falls very ill. She spends time in hospital.
2 - Cece learns that she is deaf. She is given a hearing aid to hear.
3 - Cece uses her hearing aid to find out what the teachers are up to.
4 - Cece finds a friendship group who respect her for who she is, not her disability
Q3.
Which animals are the characters in 'El Deafo' portrayed as?
Correct answer: rabbits
wolves
snakes
birds
Q4.
How can you discover themes within a text?
Correct answer: considering actions and characteristics of people within the text
considering a character's name
Correct answer: identifying repetition (actions, emotions, traits)
noticing if something is just mentioned once
Q5.
Match the following graphic novel features with their role in the text.
Correct Answer:speech bubble,represent what/how something is said

represent what/how something is said

Correct Answer:thought bubble,represent inner thoughts and feelings

represent inner thoughts and feelings

Correct Answer:sound effects,represent a noise or onomatopoeia

represent a noise or onomatopoeia

Q6.
Which of the following themes could be found in the text 'El Deafo'?
good vs. evil
Correct answer: bullying
betrayal
Correct answer: friendship