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How can graphic novels start SEL conversations?

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How can graphic novels improve student engagement?

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Students absolutely love graphic novels, which makes it all the more important to incorporate them into your current curriculum. With graphic novels, you'll not only engage your reluctant readers and help build important reading skills, but you'll provide advanced readers with a wonderful opportunity to think critically about a new form of storytelling-one that combines the most important elements of traditional novels, picture books, poetry, and even film in new and captivating ways!

When building graphic novels into your current curriculum, there are a few things you should keep in mind. This guide to teaching graphic novels is a wonderful resource if you're just getting started and will help you choose the best titles to introduce in your classroom. Whether you're hoping to improve your students' reading development, build vocabulary, or use graphic novels across subjects, here are four tips to make adding graphic novels to your teaching toolbox even more effective.

When introducing graphic novels to your students for the first time, encourage readers to focus on the format and how all the visual elements come together to help tell the story. They should consider the size and shape of the panels and how they fit together; how dialogue is used and shared; sound effects and how they're layered through the story; and of course, the overall visual style of the graphic novel. Is the art realistic? How does the illustrator use color to show emotion?

Just like their literary cousins, graphic novels often feature the same important themes other traditional works of literature employ. Graphic novels are also a great lead-in or follow-up to teaching classics and contemporary novels, especially for students who have trouble engaging with more traditional forms of literature. For example, I Survived and The Baby-Sitters Club series are available in graphic novel format as a compliment to their longform editions. Other titles like by Raina Telgemeier captivate young readers by exploring themes of belonging and fitting in.

The old writing adage, "Show, don't tell," is definitely on display in graphic novels-that's why series like Dog Man and The Bad Guys are such great books to read before students dive into creative writing projects. Whether you ask students to craft new endings for their favorite graphic novels or develop new characters or dialogue for existing stories they love, graphic novels are a great way to fuel your students' creative writing instincts.

For younger readers, graphic novels are perfect for helping students transition from picture books to chapter books. They teach important reading skills and give students a wonderful opportunity to reflect on common literary themes and empathize with characters. Graphic novels also shouldn't be limited to English and language arts. Science, social studies, and art instruction are areas where graphic novels can help introduce students to new subject matter and provide an introduction to important lessons from history, STEM, and more!

Adored by students of all ages, graphic novels are a tool every teacher should use to help develop the next generation of readers. They not only motivate students to read, they support learning in your classroom and help your students develop the skills they need to read and comprehend even more challenging works of literature.

Shop the best graphic novels for your classroom library below! You can shop all graphic novels and much more at The Teacher Store.

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How to Use Graphic Novels In Your Curriculum | Scholastic

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By adding graphic novels to your teaching toolbox, youÃ¢ ll help your students develop important reading and critical-thinking skills.

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Graphic Novels in the Classroom: A Teacher Roundtable | Cult of Pedagogy

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Four teachers discuss how using graphic novels has enriched their instruction, strengthened student comprehension, and engaged their most reluctant readers.

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"A comic made to combat bullying can be used as a summative assessment, as Suzie Boss has suggested. Make the graphic novel or comic a product that students create to meet a need. Don’t just make it a regurgitation of knowledge—give it an authentic purpose.

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Many teachers use graphic novels and comics in the classroom. There are amazing books on the subject that include useful tools on how to effectively implement these resources for learning.

The main thing teachers need to consider is purpose. I know, we love books and tools, but as with technology, sometimes we get wrapped up in the tool instead of first thinking about the purpose. Here are some reasons why you might select a graphic novel or comic to read, or why you might have students create their own. Thinking about these reasons will help you focus on your purpose in your instruction.

Reasons to Work With Graphic Novels and Comics

Differentiating instruction: Graphic novels and comics can be a great way to differentiate instruction for learners in terms of reading and also in terms of assessment. Perhaps you want to offer your students a graphic novel to support their reading of a chapter in a rigorous text. There are many graphic novel adaptations of classics out there.

Maybe you're doing a project-based learning (PBL) unit in which you want to provide voice and choice for the student assessment. Students might be choosing between a letter, a comic, or a podcast to answer a driving question such as: How can we debunk myths and stereotypes about world religions?

Building critical reading skills: Reading standards around higher order thinking skills can be met through complex analysis and evaluation of graphic novels and comics. Have students look at how the authors and illustrators use colors, textures, words, text boxes, frames, and camera angles, and then make connections between these elements and evaluate their effectiveness.

Assessing student learning: PBL calls for the creation of authentic products that are useful and credible to the group. You can have students create comics or graphic novels, or components of them, as a useful formative assessment to check for understanding of important content.

A comic made to combat bullying can be used as a summative assessment, as Suzie Boss has suggested. Make the graphic novel or comic a product that students create to meet a need. Don't just make it a regurgitation of knowledge-give it an authentic purpose.

Studying the genre itself: In his book Understanding Comics, Scott McCloud asserts the legitimacy and complexity of comics and graphic novels as a genre. Pairing selections from his work with a graphic novel or comic can generate interesting discussion and inquiry into the elements of the genre itself. Genre study is an easy way to utilize literature circle groups and instructional lessons, where students get to pick from a variety of options.

Examining literary elements: Graphic novels take traditional literary elements like symbol, character, and plot, and modify them-characters may become heroes and villains, and visual symbols that would be described in a novel are actually drawn and created.

There are many other purposes for graphic novels in the classroom, from looking at different cultures and backgrounds to utilizing technology in authentic ways. Just make sure you select the graphic novel or comic with a clear purpose in mind.

I'll leave you with some favorite graphic novels and comics that I've used in my classroom.

Persepolis, a memoir of a girl growing up during the Islamic Revolution in Iran, was recently made into a motion picture.

Maus, a top favorite for many, explores themes of the Holocaust through a memoir populated by mice and cats.

American Born Chinese is the tale of three characters: Jin Wang, the only Chinese-American in the neighborhood; Chin-Kee, the ultimate Chinese stereotype; and the Monkey King, a character from ancient fables.

Uncanny X-Men Volume 3 In this issue, the X-Men travel into Dante's Inferno.

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Using Graphic Novels and Comics in the Classroom

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Many teachers use graphic novels and comics in the classroom. There are amazing books on the subject that include useful tools on how to effectively implement these resources for learning. The main thing teachers need to consider is purpose.

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3 Things not to do when teaching with GN

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3 Things not to do when teaching with GN

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Three Mistakes Teachers Make Teaching With Comics and Graphic Novels

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An introverted girl who just wanted to be left alone. A…

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1. Reading Comprehension (RL.6.1): Graphic novels offer complex narratives and character development, allowing students to analyze the text in a visual format. They can practice identifying key elements such as plot, setting, and character development within the context of a graphic novel.

2. Literary Analysis (RL.6.2): Students can analyze how visual elements such as panel layout, color, and art style contribute to the overall meaning and theme of the graphic novel. They can compare and contrast the techniques used in graphic novels with those used in traditional texts.

3. Character Development (RL.6.3): Graphic novels often feature rich character development, allowing students to analyze characters' motivations, traits, and interactions. Students can also explore how characters change over the course of the story.

4. Figurative Language (RL.6.4): Graphic novels frequently use figurative language in both the text and the illustrations. Students can identify and analyze examples of similes, metaphors, and other literary devices within the context of the graphic novel.

5. Theme (RL.6.2): Graphic novels explore universal themes such as friendship, identity, and overcoming adversity. Students can analyze how these themes are developed and represented visually throughout the graphic novel.

6. Writing (W.6.9): Students can respond to graphic novels through various writing tasks, such as character analyses, thematic essays, or creative responses. They can also create their own graphic narratives, applying the elements of storytelling and visual literacy they have learned.

7. Speaking and Listening (SL.6.1): Graphic novels can serve as a stimulus for class discussions, Socratic seminars, and collaborative activities. Students can share their interpretations of the text, analyze visual storytelling techniques, and engage in critical dialogue with their peers.

By incorporating graphic novels into the curriculum, teachers can provide students with diverse literary experiences that enhance their reading comprehension, critical thinking skills, and appreciation for different forms of storytelling. Additionally, graphic novels can appeal to a wide range of learners and help foster a love of reading and learning in the classroom.

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1. Reading Comprehension (RL.7.1): Graphic novels provide opportunities for students to practice reading comprehension skills by analyzing visual elements such as panels, speech bubbles, and illustrations to understand the story's plot, characters, and themes.

2. Literary Analysis (RL.7.2): Students can analyze the elements of fiction present in graphic novels, including plot development, character motivations, setting, and theme. They can explore how the combination of text and visuals contributes to the overall meaning of the narrative.

3. Character Development (RL.7.3): Graphic novels often feature complex characters with nuanced personalities and motivations. Students can analyze character development through both textual dialogue and visual cues, such as facial expressions and body language.

4. Figurative Language (RL.7.4): Graphic novels frequently employ figurative language techniques such as metaphors, similes, and symbolism. Students can identify and analyze these literary devices within the context of the graphic novel, considering how they enhance the storytelling.

5. Theme (RL.7.2): Graphic novels explore universal themes such as identity, friendship, justice, and resilience. Students can analyze how these themes are developed and represented visually throughout the graphic novel, and how they connect to the real world.

6. Writing (W.7.9): Students can respond to graphic novels through various writing tasks, such as character analyses, thematic essays, comparative analyses of graphic novels, or creative responses in which they create their own graphic narratives.

7. Speaking and Listening (SL.7.1): Graphic novels can serve as a springboard for class discussions, debates, and collaborative activities. Students can share their interpretations of the text, discuss visual storytelling techniques, and engage in critical dialogue with their peers.

8. Research and Media Literacy (RI.7.7): Students can explore graphic novels as a form of media and analyze how different authors and artists approach storytelling. They can also research the historical and cultural contexts of specific graphic novels, expanding their understanding of the medium.

By incorporating graphic novels into the curriculum, teachers can provide students with engaging and diverse literary experiences that foster critical thinking skills, visual literacy, and a deeper appreciation for storytelling in all its forms.

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1. Reading Comprehension (RL.8.1): Graphic novels offer complex narratives and visual storytelling techniques that require students to engage with the text in multiple ways. Students can practice analyzing the structure, plot, and character development within graphic novels.

2. Literary Analysis (RL.8.2): Students can analyze the elements of fiction in graphic novels, including characterization, point of view, theme, and symbolism. They can explore how these literary elements are conveyed through both text and visuals.

3. Character Development (RL.8.3): Graphic novels often feature well-developed characters with distinct personalities and motivations. Students can analyze character arcs, relationships, and conflicts within the context of the graphic novel's narrative.

4. Figurative Language (RL.8.4): Graphic novels frequently use figurative language such as metaphor, simile, and personification to enhance the storytelling. Students can identify and analyze examples of figurative language within the text and illustrations.

5. Theme (RL.8.2): Graphic novels explore a variety of themes relevant to middle school students, including identity, social justice, resilience, and the human experience. Students can analyze how these themes are developed and expressed throughout the graphic novel.

6. Writing (W.8.9): Students can respond to graphic novels through various writing tasks, such as character analyses, thematic essays, comparative analyses of graphic novels, or creative responses in which they create their own graphic narratives.

7. Speaking and Listening (SL.8.1): Graphic novels can serve as a catalyst for class discussions, debates, and collaborative activities. Students can share their interpretations of the text, discuss visual storytelling techniques, and engage in critical dialogue with their peers.

8. Research and Media Literacy (RI.8.7): Students can explore the history and evolution of graphic novels as a literary form. They can also research the cultural and historical contexts of specific graphic novels, deepening their understanding of the medium.

By incorporating graphic novels into the curriculum, teachers can provide students with diverse literary experiences that foster critical thinking skills, visual literacy, and a deeper appreciation for storytelling. Additionally, graphic novels can help engage reluctant readers and provide access to complex themes and ideas in a format that is accessible and engaging.

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Did someone say "Middle School drama?"