Tag Archives: graphic novels

2023 Vol 1: The Graphic Novel

Societal Concerns Addressed Between the Panels (or in the “Gutter”)

Jermaine Gardner, English, Myers Park High School

Curriculum Unit (PDF)

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Synopsis: The narrative of racial difference in the United States has long been a haze that contaminates many communities and deprecates people of color. It began when white settlers came to this continent and destroyed masses of native people, stole their land, and labeled them as barbaric or savage. That same narrative promoted the existence of 200 years of enslavement of African people who were beaten, abused, sexually exploited, and denied human rights. The Thirteenth Amendment did not bring an end to these injustices and only promoted the evolution of these practices. This unit is designed for ninth grade students to encounter an inquiry process in which they explore novels, essays, and other forms of media to ultimately determine the theme of I Am Alfonso Jones and express through writing, discussion, and other collaborative activities why that message is important. Students will take on these tasks to answer the questions: What makes an opening powerful? What makes you want to keep reading a book? How can understanding a book’s context help you understand the book? Why are the answers to these questions important? Students will return to these questions throughout the unit to understand the impact of societal flaws and express their understanding through writing and creation of visual projects that convey a specific meaning that can better their human experience and to promote change in humankind.

2023 Vol 1: The Graphic Novel

Galactic Absurdities: A Graphic Novel Expedition through The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy 

Kimberly Courtlandt, English, Merancas Middle College High School

Curriculum Unit (PDF)

Click on the arrow to read the Synopsis.

Synopsis: This curriculum unit centers on a 12-day unit designed for 12th-grade honors English students, focusing on the world of satire and employing classic literature and graphic novels as educational tools. It begins with a satire carousel activity and an exploration of political cartoons, allowing students to create their own cartoons addressing contemporary issues. These cartoons form the foundation for their final graphic narrative problem and solution project. The unit then transitions to the Restoration and 18th century, emphasizing historical and social contexts while exploring the satirical works of Jonathan Swift (1667-1745), introducing students to satirical elements in literature. The centerpiece of this exploration is Swift’s thought-provoking essay, “A Modest Proposal,” which I will use to encourage student engagement in close reading and the analysis of profound questions. As the unit progresses, students will deeply engage Douglas Adams’s graphic novel, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. They will explore character development, graphic narrative structure, and thematic elements while navigating the novel’s unique blend of humor and depth. Throughout the unit, students will steadily work on crafting their final ‘problem and solution’ graphic narrative projects. These projects incorporate satire, and humor to address contemporary issues in a satirical manner. 

2018 Curriculum Units Vol 6: Teaching Human Rights

How To Make An ARTivist

Carla Aaron-Lopez, Visual Arts, Whitewater Middle School

Curriculum Unit (pdf)

Synopsis

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2014 Curriculum Units Vol 7: Visual Storytelling in Children's and Young Adult literature

From Roots to Flourishing Literacy: Using Picture Books and Graphic Novels in the Middle and High School ESL Classroom

Justine Busto, English, East Mecklenburg High School

Final Unit (PDF)  Implementing Common Core Standards (PDF) read more »

2014 Curriculum Units Vol 6: The Art of Fiction: Close Analysis, Style and the Novel

Graphic Novels: Reading Critically from Texts to Images

Jennifer Ladanyi, Language Arts, Bailey Middle School

Final Unit (PDF)  Implementing Common Core Standards (PDF)

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