My Great Big Book Blog: Newbery Honor 2015: El Deafo

Written by Cece Bell and color by David Lasky

Copyright 2014
Published by Amulet Books
Reading Level: grades 4-6, ages 8-12
Suggested Delivery: independent read
Genre: Graphic Novel, Non-Fiction

Loving ~ Funny ~ Different ~ Unforgettable ~ Powerful

Summary:

"El Deafo" is a powerful and moving story of a young girl who at a very young age learns that she will no longer be able to hear like she used to. Not only will Cece need to learn to cope with her hearing issue, but she is moving to a new home and starting a new school, while leaving her old home and friends behind. At her new school, Cece realizes that the other kids are not deaf like she is. But soon, Cece will learn that with her Phonic Ear she can become El Deafo, and learn to use her hearing difference to her advantage. This graphic novel memoir is all about growing up, and learning to make all of the embarrassing moments something to laugh at in the end.

Vocabulary to Know:

Deaf: partially or completely lacking the ability to hear; unable to hear

Sign language: also called sign; any of several visual gestural systems of communication, especially employing manual gestures, as used among deaf people

Meningitis: inflammation of the meninges, especially of the pia mater and arachnoid, caused by a bacterial or viral infection and characterized by high fever, severe headache, and stiff neck or back muscles.

Audiologist: the study of hearing disorders

Hearing aid: a compact electronic amplifier worn to improve one's hearing, usually placed behind the ear

A sneak peak at "El Deafo"

Suggested Lessons:

+Before Reading Activity: An awesome activity to do before or after reading this book would be to have a Guest Speaker. Having the author of this book come to the school or your classroom to talk about how she grew up, and tell her story would be a great experience for all. Even if the author of the book could not make it to the school, a virtual guest speaker would work just as well. The author of the book could speak via computer. Guest Speakers can give students a new and different outlook on the book they are reading as well as a better understanding of what they are reading.

+During Reading Activity: Another great activity that can be done would be to use Padlet. Padlet is a website which is interactive for students and teachers. Teachers can post a question or a comment and then students can go on and respond to that question or comment. The students' comments are anonymous, which allows for all students to fell comfortable in posting. http://padlet.com/schnitmank/869lcyhayr5o Check out this link for an example!

+After Reading Activity: Have students write an informative/explanatory text to examine a topic and convey ideas and information clearly. Students can write about what they have learned by reading "El Deafo" (Grade 3-5). Have students write an informative/explanatory text to examine a topic, convey ideas, concepts, and information through the selection, organization and analysis of relevant content (Grade 6).
+Writing Activity: Talk about Cece and the many different friends that she encountered as she grew up. Talk about how they treated Cece and how those interactions affected Cece. After discussing, have students write a narrative piece where they can imagine that they were a new friend to a deaf person at their school. Have them write about how they would interact with the new student. The students should use details from the text to help them.

+Padlet! So many ways to use Padlet. Check this out and see how you could use it!
http://padlet.com/schnitmank/869lcyhayr5o