Developing understanding of 'When Stars are Scattered' through rich discussions
I can discuss the main ideas of ‘When Stars are Scattered’.
Developing understanding of 'When Stars are Scattered' through rich discussions
I can discuss the main ideas of ‘When Stars are Scattered’.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- 'When Stars are Scattered' is a graphic novel memoir of Omar Mohamed's experience of living in a refugee camp in Kenya.
- Omar and his brother, Hassan, have lived in Dadaab refugee camp for seven years.
- Omar's brother, Hassan, has complex needs which are depicted and handled sensitively.
- Gender inequality is noted in the early chapters; inequality is an important theme of the text.
Common misconception
Pupils may consider the text as telling Omar's story in one continuous narrative.
The graphic novel has two significant jumps in time, page 114 (two years later) and page 221 (four years later). The afterword and author's note both describe what happened to Omar after arriving in the United States.
Keywords
Graphic novel - A graphic novel is a type of text combining words and images in long-form, sequential art panels.
Refugee - Refugees are people who have fled war, violence, conflict or persecution and have crossed an international border to find safety in another country.
Theme - A theme is a big idea, topic or message that recurs within a story.
Equipment
You need a copy of the 2020 Faber & Faber edition of 'When Stars are Scattered’, created by Victoria Jamieson and Omar Mohamed, for this lesson.
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
- Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
- Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
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
6 Questions
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
Exit quiz
6 Questions
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
represents what/how something is said
represents inner thoughts and feelings
represents the character's perspective through storytelling