Every classroom library should be well-stocked with graphic novels. Beyond being ideal for kids\u2019 independent reading, graphic novels also have tons of potential as teaching tools.<\/p>\n
(And let\u2019s clear it up right now for those of us who grew up hiding our comic books inside \u201creal\u201d books: reading graphic novels is authentic reading! Graphic novels are full of opportunities to think about characterization, themes, mood, tone, etc.)<\/p>\n
Check out these teacher-tested ways to use graphic novels as teaching tools.<\/p>\n
Use graphic novels to challenge kids to think critically about books.<\/strong> By introducing critical thinking and comprehension concepts with graphic novels, readers need to make only a short leap to applying similar skills to other types of books. Try discussion questions like:<\/p>\n Use graphic novels to introduce citing text evidence.<\/strong> Use a graphic novel as a unique whole-class read.<\/strong> Having your entire class read a graphic novel can make a book accessible to all readers and give them much to talk about. For discussion-worthy themes and broad appeal, try Hoops<\/em><\/a>\u00a0by Matt Tavares, which is based on the true story of an Indiana girls\u2019 basketball team in the early days of Title IX. (The author\u2019s note, in which Tavares talks about why he used a graphic novel format for this story, makes for a meaningful class discussion.)<\/p>\n Use graphic novels to amplify content area learning.<\/strong> You can also use stories set in a particular time, place, or around a certain theme to build background knowledge that supports your content area focus topics. When Stars Are Scattered<\/em><\/a> by Victoria Jamieson and Omar Mohamed gives kids an unparalleled look at life in a refugee camp. Little Monarchs<\/em><\/a> by Jonathan Case is a dystopian story that weaves in factual information about monarch butterfly migration and raises important questions about human impact on the environment.<\/p>\n Pair graphic novels with traditional literature.<\/strong> Pairing a traditional title with its graphic novel spinoff allows kids to compare and contrast content and genre features. For instance, when studying point of view, first read the prose version of the modern classic Wonder<\/em><\/a> by R.J. Palacio. It\u2019s about Auggie, a boy with a facial difference. Then, move on to the author\u2019s graphic novel version of White Bird<\/em><\/a>, told from the point of view of Auggie\u2019s classroom bully Julian, as he learns about his Jewish family\u2019s history in Nazi-occupied France.<\/p>\n Use graphic novels as mentor texts for writing.<\/strong> yes yes Graphic novels mentioned in this post: 9780593127315 The Flamingo<\/i> By Guojing 9781536201369 Hoops: A Graphic Novel<\/i> by Matt Tavares, illustrated by Matt Tavares 9780823454891 Santiago<\/i> by Jay Hosler 9780593224410 Who Was the Girl Warrior of France?: Joan of Arc<\/i> by Sarah Winifred Searle and Who HQ illustrated by Maria Capelle Frantz 9780593126318 Turtle in Paradise<\/i> by Jennifer L. Holm and Savanna Ganucheau 9780525553915 When Stars Are Scattered<\/i> by Victoria Jamieson and Omar Mohamed illustrated by Victoria Jamieson and Iman Geddy 9780823442607 Little Monarchs<\/i> by Jonathan Case 9780593487785 White Bird: A Wonder Story (A Graphic Novel)<\/i> by R. J. Palacio <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Check out these teacher-tested ways graphic novels can enrich instruction, boost student comprehension, and engage readers of all levels.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":74,"featured_media":97031,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[47],"tags":[68,954],"coauthors":[1053],"class_list":["post-96036","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-tips-advice","tag-graphic-novels","tag-educators","ages_stages-growing-reader","ages_stages-tween"],"yoast_head":"\n
\nGraphic novels can motivate reluctant or struggling readers. More than that, the visual content encourages all kids to think about literature in new ways. The Flamingo<\/em><\/a> by Guojing is a stunning, almost wordless graphic novel about a girl who visits her grandmother. Lao Lao treats her granddaughter to a captivating story-within-the-story about the origins of a mysterious flamingo feather. This rich and complex book is ideal for talking with kids about how to make inferences.<\/p>\n\n
\nGraphic novels are an ideal way to introduce the idea of referring to text evidence to support one\u2019s reasoning \u2014 a significant theme in state and national standards that can be tricky for kids. Narrowing down \u201chow you know\u201d something to a particular panel, and narrowing that down further to specific words or visual details, can feel more straightforward to kids than having to search an entire page of written text.<\/p>\n
\nWith the inevitable variety of students\u2019 reading levels, interests, and proficiency in English, whole-class reads can be hard to get right. The Yale Center for Dyslexia and Creativity called graphic novels “grand equalizers,” which is a pretty fantastic way to think about their potential in the classroom.<\/p>\n
\nThe engaging format and visual elements of graphic novels make them perfect for bringing science and social studies content and vocabulary to life for kids. There are tons of informational graphic novels on the market for all reading levels. Check out Santiago! <\/em><\/a>by Jay Hosler to challenge stereotypes of how people become scientists. (The \u201cfather of modern neuroscience\u201d was definitely not a nerd!) The new Who HQ Graphic Novel series<\/a> has a diverse list of nonfiction for early-mid elementary readers.<\/p>\n
\nTry having kids read the graphic novel version of a classic title before, concurrently with, or after reading the original version. Or, have different small groups read each edition and compare notes. Turtle In Paradise<\/a><\/em> by Jennifer L. Holm and Savanna Ganucheau is an ideal choice for this.<\/p>\n
\nA successful graphic novel requires an exceptional amount of precision. Studying the graphic novel format and writing their own comic book encourages kids to search for the right words, use punctuation effectively, and think about the relationship between words and art. Kids do not need to create an entire novel to reap the benefits. Try having kids summarize a traditional reading assignment by turning the story into a comic strip or creating a series of panels to explain a science concept, event from history, or personal experience.<\/p>\n