Developing responses to 'El Deafo' through rich discussions
I can develop my own response to 'El Deafo'.
Developing responses to 'El Deafo' through rich discussions
I can develop my own response to 'El Deafo'.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Cece has different relationships with characters within the text, including her family and friends.
- Characters within the text depict a range of emotions. Character traits can be understood from these.
- Character traits can be explored through the text’s illustrations or words used by the characters
- Making connections and recommendations can significantly enhance the reading experience and broaden understanding.
Keywords
Character trait - Character traits are the special qualities that make a character in a story unique and interesting.
Connection - How a text relates to a reader, another text or the wider world can be called a connection.
Recommendation - A recommendation is a suggestion for a text that is well-suited to a reader’s age and their interests.
Common misconception
Pupils may list emotions when referring to a character trait.
Emotions are temporary. Explain that character traits are linked to characterisation. They are relatively stable over time. Examples of common character traits could be shared with the children prior to Task A.
To help you plan your year 4 english lesson on: Developing responses to 'El Deafo' through rich discussions, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 4 english lesson on: Developing responses to 'El Deafo' through rich discussions, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 2 english lessons from the 'El Deafo': book club unit, dive into the full secondary english curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
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
Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
Exit quiz
6 Questions
special qualities that make a character in a story unique
how a text relates to a reader, another text or the wider world
a suggestion for a text that is suited to a reader’s age and interests
bossy
over-emphasises disability
kind and respectful