Identity and characterisation in 'Frizzy'
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explore characterisation in a graphic novel.
Key learning points
- Characterisation is the way an author and illustrator develop the personalities and traits of the characters in a story.
- Readers can tell lots about characters through their appearance, dialogue, their actions and how they are depicted.
- Through eye contact & body language we can infer how a character might be feeling & what this might convey to a reader.
- Having explored the characters in greater detail, readers can make predictions about what might happen next.
Keywords
Characterisation - the way an author describes and develops the personalities and traits of the characters in a story
Character traits - the special qualities that make a character in a story unique and interesting
Body language - the way people communicate their thoughts, feelings and emotions through their movements and gestures without using words
Prediction - an educated guess, based on evidence in the text or prior knowledge
Common misconception
Pupils may not recognise the meaning associated with body language.
Pupils could model some key aspects (such as eye contact, open/closed postures) beforehand to better understand underlying emotions that the characters in the text exhibit.
Teacher tip
To track Marlene's character and how she changes across the narrative, you could create a whole class version of 'Role on the Wall'. Pupils should read pages 78-137 prior to the next lesson.
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
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which country does this flag represent?
Q2.Which languages are spoken by Marlene and her family?
Q3.Which of the following adjectives best link to Marlene's Mother, Paola?
Q4.Which of the following adjectives best link to Marlene?
Q5.At what age do girls celebrate their quinceañera (quince)?
Q6.True or false? Graphic novels are able to portray characters' cultural heritage.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Put the following events from the ‘Quince’ (pages 18 - 43) into chronological order.
Q2.True or false? The expectations that Marlene's mother had of Marlene when she was younger and those she has now haven’t changed.
Q3.Match the keywords to their definitions.
the way an author develops the personalities and traits of a character
the qualities that make a character in a story unique and interesting
an educated guess, based on evidence in the text or prior knowledge
Q4.True or false? Readers are able to infer what a character might be feeling through their body language.
Q5.What are some of the traits or qualities that Marlene shows to the reader?
Q6.What objects tell the reader more about Marlene and her family's cultural heritage?
To help you plan your 6 English lesson on: Identity and characterisation in 'Frizzy', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 6 English lesson on: Identity and characterisation in 'Frizzy', 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 'No Country' and 'Frizzy': graphic novels exploring identity and belonging unit, dive into the full primary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.