Comically Comprehending: Using Comics and Graphic Novels to Teach Reading and Writing
Coach: Mary B. McCright, Ernst Prussing Elementary School Adaptable for grade levels: 6-8 Key Subject Area(s): Language Arts Also incorporates: Art, Music, Drama; Language Arts; Math; Social Studies; Technology; Interdisciplinary
Study Group Teaching Method Description:
Capture student interest while teaching important literary concepts by incorporating graphic novels and comics into reading and writing instruction. With their dynamic visual presentation and strong dialogue, graphic novels and comics are especially effective with English Language Learners, as well as other struggling and resistant readers. This strategy is easy to integrate into other subject areas as well.
With graphic novels, the focus will be on identifying story elements such as plot, setting, characters, problem, and solution, recognizing character development and themes, and classifying various literary devices such as figurative language, extended metaphor, and onomatopoeia. Because of the strong visual component associated with graphic novels and comics, readers of all levels will experience greater success with both fluency and comprehension skills.
Illinois State Standards and Benchmarks:
State Goal 1: Read with fluency and understanding State Goal 2: Read and understand literature representative of various societies, eras, and ideas State Goal 3: Write to communicate for a variety of purposes State Goal 4: Listen and speak effectively in a variety of situations State Goal 5: Use the language arts to acquire, assess and communicate information.
About the Coach:
Mary B. McCright has taught 6-8th grade math and reading for seven years at Prussing Elementary School. Mary has been involved in Boundless Readers (formerly know as the Rochelle Lee Fund) as a four-time awardee, summer workshop facilitator, study group leader, and adult book club facilitator. Mary has used novel studies as a primary reading instructional approach for several years and looks forward to sharing her expertise with others.
Meeting Times:
The Study Group meeting schedules are determined together at the Study Group Program Kick-Off Dinner on Thursday, June 4, 2009.
