Graphic Novels: More Than Just Comics Mindy Tomasevich Blake Norby

Session Topics Theory, resources, & standards Why graphic novels are a powerful choice for both independent reading and instruction Lesson ideas and examples Student responses What we are NOT going to go into detail about: purchasing info, selection, cataloging. Shelving, challenges

Graphic Novels - the theory behind the pictures Why use graphic novels in the library & classroom? Visual Literacy Reading Motivation - students LOVE graphic novels! Make Complex Topics More Accessible - including classroom texts (ie Shakespeare, Fahrenheit 451, Frankenstein) and nonfiction texts Critical Thinking - interpretation of the story through pictures Graphic Novel Resources: articles, links, and lesson ideas Awards: Pulitzer, National Book Award, Printz, Newbery, Coretta Scott King, Caldecott 65% of students are visual learners (Pearson Prentice Hall, 2003) Studies show GN motivate boys, reluctant readers, ELL students, offer context clues. Share my collection/circ stats.

Graphic Novels in the Standards “Multiple literacies, including digital, visual, textual, and technological, have now joined information literacy as crucial skills for this century.” (AASL, 2009, 3) From the CCSS: ~~Analyze how visual and multimedia elements contribute to the meaning, tone, or beauty of a text (e.g., graphic novel, multimedia presentation of fiction, folktale, myth, poem). ~~Includes the subgenres of adventure stories, historical fiction, mysteries, myths, science fiction, realistic fiction, allegories, parodies, satire, and graphic novels. AASL Standards for the 21st Century Learner mention reading literature in different formats.

Graphic Novels in Schools Help students develop literacy & language skills by reinforcing vocabulary From The Invincible Iron Man: Stark Disassembled by Matt Fraction From Zombies and Electricity by Mark Weakland From The Odyssey by Gareth Hinds

Graphic Novels in Schools Teach visual literacy & critical thinking skills (inference, symbolism, etc.) From Maus: a Survivor’s Story by Art Speigleman From Understanding Comics: the Invisible Art by Scott McCloud

Graphic Novels in Schools Provide stepping stones to full-text classics and novels

Graphic Novels in Schools Present information in ways that appeal to reluctant readers Studies show that graphic novels help make the curriculum more relevant for our students (Alvermann & Xu, 2003; Schwarz, 2002; Xu, Sawyer, & Zunich, 2005).

Graphic Novels in Schools Give additional information on curriculum-related topics

Graphic Novels in Schools Inspire students who lack reading confidence, reading ability, or motivation

Graphic Novels in the School Library Provides a pathway for student agency in the library

Teaching Graphic Novels As librarians and teachers, how can we make our graphic novel collections, and lessons, more relevant to the curriculum and to our students? What teachers say about using graphic novels in instruction: Teacher 1 Teacher 2 Teacher 3 Lesson Ideas: Yummy, Watchmen Analysis Student examples: Nonfiction Articles, The Shadow Hero, Watchmen Analysis

Has anyone else taught them? Other examples? In what new ways can YOU use the power of graphic novels to connect to your teachers and students? Think, pair, share new ideas for teaching with graphic novels

Student response to Graphics in class “The pictures make me think about the story in a different way - like I might think words mean one thing, but the pictures make me consider other interpretations.” “I like using graphic novels in class because it’s something out of the ordinary, which makes it more interesting.”

Graphics for Independent Reading What graphic novels should you buy? See our sample title lists. Include graphic novels in your booktalks and reader’s advisory. What do students say? Out of the mouths of Otaku (crazed manga fans) Blake is bringing My Friend Dahmer; Killing Shakespeare; Fahrenheit 451; Remind. Mindy will bring

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Questions? Questions?