Skip to content
Oak National Academy
Oak National Academy
Teachers
Pupils
icon-background-square
New
New
Year 6

Analysing a scene and exploring themes in 'Frizzy'

I can analyse a scene in detail and ask questions to develop understanding.

Download all resources
arrow-right
Share activities with pupils
arrow-right
icon-background-square
New
New
Year 6

Analysing a scene and exploring themes in 'Frizzy'

I can analyse a scene in detail and ask questions to develop understanding.

Download all resources
arrow-right
Share activities with pupils
arrow-right
warning

These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

Switch to our new teaching resources now - designed by teachers and leading subject experts, and tested in classrooms.
View new resources
arrow-right

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. We can analyse a scene in a graphic novel by exploring the visual, narrative and contextual elements.
  2. We can ask questions about scenes to develop our understanding of the text.
  3. One of the most prominent themes in the text is identity.
  4. Marlene’s journey is about understanding and embracing her identity, accepting her natural hair as a part of who she is.
  5. Take-away ideas within a graphic novel may link to themes that are explored and developed in it.

Keywords

  • Scene - a sequence of continuous action in a text

  • Visuals - the artistic elements used to tell the story

  • Narrative - a spoken or written account of connected events; a story

  • Context - the surrounding details that help you understand what you're reading

  • Theme - a big idea, topic or message that recurs within a text

Common misconception

Pupils may find it challenging to identify visual, narrative and contextual elements in Task A.

Task A could be done in pairs or small groups, with adults supporting with modelled examples.

For Task B, the two pages could be printed on A4 and placed on an A3 sheet of paper to allow pupils to text mark/annotate their questions.
speech-bubble
Teacher tip
equipment-required

Equipment

You need a copy of the 2022 First Second edition of ‘Frizzy’, written by Claribel A. Ortega and illustrated by Rose Bousamra, for this lesson.

content-guidance

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
supervision-level

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

copyright

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on
Open Government Licence version 3.0
except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

Skip lesson video

Loading...

Starter quiz

Download starter quiz

6 Questions

Q1.
Who is the author of 'Frizzy'?
Correct answer: Claribel A. Ortega
Rose Bousamra
First Second Books
Q2.
Who is the illustrator of 'Frizzy'?
Claribel A. Ortega
Correct answer: Rose Bousamra
First Second Books
Q3.
Characterisation can be conveyed through which of the following?
Correct answer: a character’s appearance
a character's name
Correct answer: the words a character uses
the setting of the text
Correct answer: a character's actions
Q4.
How is body language expressed through a graphic novel?
through a character's words
Correct answer: through a character's movements
Correct answer: through a character's gestures
Q5.
True or false? Marlene is to blame for starting a fight with Ramón.
Correct Answer: False, false
Q6.
'Frizzy' is written from whose perspective?
Paola
Ruby
Angel
Correct answer: Marlene

Exit quiz

Download exit quiz

6 Questions

Q1.
Match the keywords to their definitions.
Correct Answer:scene,a sequence of continuous action in a text
tick

a sequence of continuous action in a text

Correct Answer:visuals,the artistic elements used to tell the story
tick

the artistic elements used to tell the story

Correct Answer:narrative,a spoken or written account of connected events; a story
tick

a spoken or written account of connected events; a story

Correct Answer:context,the surrounding details that help you understand what you're reading
tick

the surrounding details that help you understand what you're reading

Q2.
Which of the following statements are true?
Correct answer: Ruby empathises with her niece.
Correct answer: Ruby grows fruit and vegetables on her rooftop garden.
Marlene dislikes helping her auntie.
Ruby had to visit the salon until she was 16.
Q3.
Which definition best describes a theme?
a feeling of deep satisfaction, self-worth, or accomplishment
Correct answer: a big idea, topic or message that recurs within a text
the use of language to create a mental picture or sensory experience
Q4.
True or false? Asking questions about a scene can develop our engagement with a graphic novel text.
Correct Answer: True, true
Q5.
Match each theme to how it is conveyed in the graphic novel.
Correct Answer:family,Marlene deepens her relationships with her auntie and her mother.
tick

Marlene deepens her relationships with her auntie and her mother.

Correct Answer:self-acceptance,Marlene begins to feel proud of her hair and who she is.
tick

Marlene begins to feel proud of her hair and who she is.

Correct Answer:bullying,Classmates at her high school tease Marlene.
tick

Classmates at her high school tease Marlene.

Q6.
True or false? All questions that we ask about a graphic novel text will be answered.
Correct Answer: False, false

Additional material

Download additional material