QUESTION: Just starting with Graphic Novels?

[Christine Obst]

I received advice on English Companion ning to check out this group as I will be teaching Graphic Novels to my 11th grade Creative Writing students in the Fall. I would appreciate any resources or advice anyone may have to get this thing started. Thanks! --christine

[Kelly Farrow]

I just checked an excellent book out of the library this summer, Adventures in Graphica by Terry Thompson. It's a book for K-5 educators, but it will still help you conceptualize some awesome lessons and literacy tie-ins as the kids begin incorporating graphica into their "usual" readings. I also have some awesome suggestions as I'm a huge consumer of graphica!! Are you looking for specific types of graphic novels or ones that cover certain topics/time periods? For example, would you welcome manga suggestions, too, or just traditional graphic novels?

[Christine Obst]

Thanks, Kelly! I would welcome Manga suggestions. I was thinking of starting with Maus since I will be teaching 11th grade Creative Writers and they would probably be into that. I'm mostly looking for how to start and maybe some lesson plans just to get me going if you have anything like. This book sounds great, I will check it out!

christine

[Ryan Goble]

Hi Christine,

Great to have you here.

First off, do check out this list of people/ resources here in this group. Some of the books are ideal for getting you started. This list...

Is in the group header when you go into the group.

Second, do spend some time going through all the discussion forums in this group lots of great recs an resources to get you started!

Lastly, to get your students thinking graphic check this PLAYLIST entry.

I hope these links are helpful!

Ryan:)

[Stergios Botzakis]

Because you're looking at creative writing, Jessica Abel's and Matt Madden's Drawing Words and Writing Pictures might be a great resource. Links to their work is in the group header. Katie Monnin's book (also in the header) might be good, too, because it focuses on HS LA classes, like you're teaching.

[Frank W. Baker]

I have become fascinated with the trend toward non-fiction graphic novels. For example: there is the 9-11 Commission Report in graphic novel form as well as a look at the presidential Campaign '08 following Obama & McCain to their nominations; and a graphic novel version of the US Constitution. Graphic novels are not just fiction anymore. I think THIS is a good thing.

[Christine Obst]

I agree, Frank. I checked the 9-11 Commission Report out of the library last week, I am considering purchasing it.

[Maureen Bakis]

I especially like the non-fiction graphic novels myself! I have all of those titles you mentioned and the students really love The 911 report.

[Susannah Brown]

Hi Christine,
I have only taught American Born Chinese to 8th graders in a reading class, but it's the kind of graphic novel that could be taught to high school too. I'm attaching a partial "reading guide" that goes with one chapter so you can see how I taught it to my students. It's the only one I have on my laptop (and I'm on vacation, so that's all I have with me). Anyway, you can see how I tried to get my students to focus on certain panels for comprehension, foreshadowing, thematic ideas, etc. I combined drawing and written response. I had a really hard time getting started when I first taught it, so creating a reading guide for each chapter really made me feel more in control of my lessons. Since your class is creative writing rather than reading, your focus will be different, but spending a little time teaching kids how to read a graphic novel might be helpful to them before you ask them to write one. Hope this helps!

[Christine Obst]

Hi Elizabeth, I actually did Persepolis in my Lit. class last year and will probably do it the Graphic Novel course this year. I love it!

[Christine Obst]

Susannah, thanks so much for this! I was actually look at American Born Chinese for my class!

[joyce lee]

Have you considered Japanese Manga - I have used them extensively in teaching writing especially because of their use of cinematic style which lends itself to focusing on aspects of writing techniques.

[Christine Obst]

Hi Joyce, yes, I was considering using some Japanese Manga, it seems to popular in the high school where I teach. Any particular title you would recommend for starters?