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Memoir with El Deafo (Grade 6-8)

Main Core Tie

Secondary Library Media (6-12)
Strand 1: Standard 1:

Additional Core Ties

English Language Arts Grade 6
Reading: Literature Standard 1

English Language Arts Grade 6
Writing Standard 3 a.

English Language Arts Grade 7
Reading: Literature Standard 1

English Language Arts Grade 7
Writing Standard 3 a.

English Language Arts Grade 8
Reading: Literature Standard 1

English Language Arts Grade 8
Writing Standard 3 a.

Time Frame

5 class periods of 45 minutes each

Group Size

Individual

Authors

Angela Algarin
Kathy Ballard
Dallin Miller

Summary

Introduce middle school students to reading through the use of graphic novels. Students will follow different themes in the novel citing quotes to support the different themes in the book.


Materials

  • A class set of El Deafo by Cece Bell
  • Computer
  • Word processing software (e.g. Microsoft Word)
  • Internet Access www.getgraphic.org
  • Writing tool
  • A variety of book titles that represent different genres typically found in a graphic novel genre.


Background for Teachers

Visit Get Graphic: The World in Words and Pictures to get a firm understanding of what graphic novels are.

El Deafo is a memoir about Cece Bell in the form of a graphic novel, great for middle schoolers and could be appropriate for elementary students.


Intended Learning Outcomes

Read independently and build reading stamina. Understand the genre of memoir. Evidence to be collected: use text evidence to support analysis, determine themes from the book, analyze how elements in a story act.


Instructional Procedures

Lesson 1: Introduction - whole group (15 minutes)

Introduction to graphic novel format: Ask students what they know about graphic novels, what they've read, what they like.

Key points:

  • Graphic novels are a format and can be any type of genre.
  • Most popular type of graphic novels are Manga, Super hero stories, narratives and non-fiction.
  • Most graphic novels have a call number of 741.5.

Individual work for 30 minutes:

  • After students are more familiar with graphic novels, handout sheet
  • Read the instructions with the students.
  • Assign each student to a computer to complete the learning task on sheet 1.

Introduction for Lesson 2:

Introduce El Deafo with a book talk.

Inquiry: According to the book talk what type of graphic novel is this book? (Think of yesterday's activity.) What clues lead you to that decision?

Finalize Lesson 2 and 3-5

Hand out sheet 2: El Deafo theme tracker.

Walk the students through the instructions and expectations for the assignment.

Each theme tracker box has a theme for the story. As students read the book, they write down a quote from the story and explain how it supports that specific theme. The last theme tracker box is a theme of the students choice.

Activity two should take about 3 full class periods.

7th or 8th grader reading on grade level should be able to complete 70 pages per period.


Strategies for Diverse Learners

Teachers can read aloud with students that cannot read the text independently. Teachers can scaffold the theme tracking with those students. If Overdrive or audible text is available, students can listen to the text.


Extensions

Teachers can read aloud with students that cannot read the text independently. Teachers can scaffold the theme tracking with those students. If Overdrive or audible text is available, students can listen to the text.


Assessment Plan

Quick Check: The graphic novel chosen by each student matches the critieria for each of the graphic novels described on the website.


Bibliography


Created: 09/08/2016
Updated: 02/05/2018
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