Graphic Novels

-
The graphic novel is a format, not a genre or sub genre.  Graphic novels can be any sub genre of fiction or present information that would be considered nonfiction. They can not only be used for learning, but can also be read for enjoyment. In addition, graphic novels offer a different avenue for literary analysis at different grade levels.

Characteristics:

  1. Many would think of an actual comic book; however, it is more developed with illustrations, words, plot and text.
  2. Classics, folktales (multilingual), manga, anime, personal narratives, different subgenres of nonfiction, and others have been remade or portrayed in this format.
  3. Graphic novels also help bridge gaps in understanding, reach students with different learning styles and special needs, and help expand on enrich literary elements.
  4. Graphic novels can also be used across different subjects and to support different curricula.
  5. Graphic novels have gained popularity in the last couple decades and are celebrated by various awards and recognitions.

Format:

  • lines
  • color
  • panels
  • speech/thought bubbles
  • horizontal/vertical elements
  • style and technique
  • sound effects
  • caption
  • gutter (empty spaces between panels)

Reflection:

I have only started to read graphic novels; I've read them for one year now.  I didn't consider them to "adult" enough. I was very wrong.  Because I know little of the vast read in literature in this format, I have made it my focus in this course.  I have learned so much about other cultures, character motivation (and how politics affect childhood, like in Marjane Satrapi's Persepolis and Persepolis 2), and how authors my age endured such upheaval in their countries. In these same perspective, other students will not only fall in love with reading, but also continue to read and venture into other sub genres and topics. 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Parents, Teens, and Digital Monitoring

-
Technology is available to everyone, it would seem.  And as a current teacher, it seems like technology is at the forefront of every curriculum writing session, lesson plan, and instructional assignment.  But what implications does this have with parents? Does the average educator stop to think how teens interact and behave online? What type of implications does constant online interaction have with teens and their parents, and how do parents navigate this? Monica Anderson's, "Parents, Teens, and Digital Monitoring" surveyed a group of parents and teens with ages ranging between 13 - 17 years of age.  The survey sampled various income groups and ethnicities. And the findings are very enlightening. For the most part, parents partake of conversations and methods to intervene and educate their teens. And because social media has become the cornerstone of most relationships and friendships, some parents restrict access to social media as a disciplining tool.  F...
Read more

Screencast-O-Metic and Jing

-
Image
Vital tools for a flipped classroom  The concept of a flipped classroom has revolutionized how children learn. And while the transition may have been difficult ten or fifteen years ago, it as a lot easier to execute nowadays... one just needs the tools and a little direction. Enter... the librarian! As a English teacher, there were concepts students would conveniently forget from year to year. It was as if there was a horrendous "reset" button the students pressed every single summer making students get behind every year. However, I'm sure this happens in every single course! And I'm sure other teachers share the same frustrations I did at the beginning of the year.  With the following tools, teachers can create mini lessons that will close these gaps, provide practice time for students, and ensure that they come to class with the background knowledge they should have to grasp the next challenging concept. Screencast-O-Matic Screencast-O-Matic is a tool tha...
Read more