Second Grade Creates Graphic Novels

[Marcy Prager]

Check out a second grade slideshow to see how creating comic strips in an elementary classroom really works!  The second graders are studying various aspects of Japanese culture.  Sumo wrestling has been a big hit!  Three Strong Women is the tall tale I chose for students to read as partners to learn about traditional wrestling in Japan.  Then we used "Kids Web Japan" to learn about modern day sumo wrestling.  Students also learned to draw "Hello Kitty" characters, another aspect of "modern day" Japanese culture.  Students synthesized all of their learning to make individual "graphic novels," modeled on the graphic novels they are reading in class.  Enjoy!  (An integrated curriculum is a meaningful curriculum).

http://gallery.me.com/marcyprager#100764

 

 

[Gareth Hinds]

I love that story. I adapted it into a 12-page comic for the "Imagination Rocket" educational anthology, edited by Brian Clopper (which I am sad to say is out of print). You can see a little sample here: http://www.garethhinds.com/3strongwomen.php

 

By the way, out of all my work, that story has long been the favorite of my extended family, since it's so much more light-hearted than Beowulf, King Lear, etc.

[Marcy Prager]

Gareth,

    This is FANTASTIC!  I would like to see this back in print.  Why not give it a try since graphic novels are more popular than ever!  Or make some new ones using the newer books.  I sometimes teach and create curriculum for Primary Source, a non-profit organization that helps promote global education from elementary right on up through high school.  Check out their site for global literature and give it a go!

• http://resources.primarysource.org/globalliterature

 

 

[Jamie Hogan]

This is very gratifying to see. Kids need a chance to draw, to be visual communicators, at every level. Their connection to poems, pop culture, Japan, composition, and reading: KAPOW!

[Matt Madden]

Great work, thanks for sharing it!

[Sari Wilson]

 

This is beautiful--love how you integrate visual literacy so seamlessly. THanks for sharing.

[Melissa Taylor]

I am so excited to read about this! Would you have any interest in sharing it on Imagination Soup as a guest post? (700 plus subscribers 1,100 FB fans, 9 K Twitter followers.)

 

Melissa 

[e-mail]

[Marcy Prager]

Sure, Melissa.  Tell me exactly what to do.  I would be happy to share!