1. Graphic Novels: More Than Just Comics
Mindy Tomasevich
Blake Norby

2. 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

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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

6. 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

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

8. 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).

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

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

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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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.”

15. 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

16. Comic Creator Websites
Create Your Own
Comic created at MakeBeliefsComix.com
Comic Creator Websites

17. Questions?
Questions?