Starter quiz
- True or False? A memoir is usually written in the first-person perspective.
- True ✓
- False
- What is an autobiography?
- poetry without strict rhyme or meter; it emphasises natural speech rhythms.
- a written account of a person's life, written by that person ✓
- a contemporary tale often involving gods and supernatural creatures.
-
- Which of the following are forms of children's texts?
- picturebook ✓
- science fiction
- poetry collection ✓
- animal stories
- graphic novel ✓
-
- Which of the following are examples of non-fiction texts?
Science and Nature Magazine ✓
Grimwood by Nadia Shireen
Caribbean Dozen: Poems from thirteen Caribbean poets
Survivors: Extraordinary tales from the wild and beyond ✓
- What features would you expect to find in a graphic novel?
- speech bubbles ✓
- characters and character design ✓
- captions ✓
- traditional paragraphs
-
- 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
- a big idea, topic or message that repeats within a story ✓
-
Exit quiz
- Match the keywords to their definitions.
- graphic novel⇔a text combining words and images in long-form, sequential art panels ✓
- memoir⇔a historical account or biography written from personal knowledge ✓
- theme⇔a big idea, topic or message that recurs within a story ✓
- 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
- Which animals are the characters in 'El Deafo' portrayed as?
- rabbits ✓
- wolves
- snakes
- birds
-
- How can you discover themes within a text?
- considering actions and characteristics of people within the text ✓
- considering a character's name
- identifying repetition (actions, emotions, traits) ✓
- noticing if something is just mentioned once
-
- Match the following graphic novel features with their role in the text.
- speech bubble⇔represent what/how something is said ✓
- thought bubble⇔represent inner thoughts and feelings ✓
- sound effects⇔represent a noise or onomatopoeia ✓
- Which of the following themes could be found in the text 'El Deafo'?
- good vs. evil
- bullying ✓
- betrayal
- friendship ✓
-
Worksheet
Presentation
Lesson Details
Key learning points
- El Deafo is a graphic novel memoir based on author Cece Bell's childhood.
- At the age of four, in 1974, Cece is diagnosed as deaf, following a bout of meningitis.
- The narrative follows her journey using a hearing aid and starting school.
- Graphic novels have many unique elements which allow readers to make meaning from both words and image.
- 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.