Self-Paced: Graphic Novels 101
Andrea Dalland, M.Ed, MLS
Average rating:5.0Number of reviews:(117)
In this Self-Paced course, readers will dive into the world of graphic novels and learn about text features and elements of these books that will help to improve their comprehension and enjoyment of ANY graphic novel they read!
Class experience
US Grade 1 - 4
Graphic novels are perhaps the most popular types of books among young readers today, and chances are your learner has already read dozens of them! But fully comprehending and appreciating them requires greater savvy than many readers realize. This course will take students on a deep dive into the graphic novel, teaching them about the variety of elements that authors and illustrators use to tell their stories. Readers will be able to apply their learning immediately, to any graphic novel...
5 lessons//5 Weeks
Week 1Lesson 1Introduction to Graphic NovelsThis lesson will introduce learners to what a graphic novel is, how they are different from regular novels and most importantly, how they are different than comic books. We'll also see examples of some of the different genre types we find graphic novels in and review the differences between those genres (realistic fiction, fantasy, non-fiction, biography, etc.)Week 2Lesson 2The Parts of a Graphic NovelThis lesson will introduce vocabular specific to what we see in graphic novels; panel, frame, gutter, speech bubble, bleed, foreground, midground and background. We will look at examples of pages from graphic novels to identify these parts and discuss how they impact our reading of the books.Week 3Lesson 3CharactersThis lesson will focus on Characters in particular and how close study of the characters' facial expressions, body positioning and the use of emanata (new vocabulary!) can help us understand what characters are doing, feeling and thinking.Week 4Lesson 4Setting and PanelsWe'll take a closer look at Setting in this lesson, to understand how the use of different size panels and of elements like color and shading can help us understand what's happening in the story and give us important information about the story's setting.Week 5Lesson 5Text Types and Other ElementsIn the final lesson, we'll examine the actual text types in use in graphic novels and see how things like capitals, bold print, tiny print, asterisks, onomatopoeia, and speech bubble types can all help us have a better understanding of what characters are thinking and feeling.
Students will learn key vocabulary and reading strategies that will help improve and deepen their understanding of stories and characters in graphic novels.
I have taught units on graphic novel reading and writing for several years in an elementary school setting.
Homework Offered
After each lesson, students will be asked to find examples of the elements and vocabulary we learned about in the graphic novels they are reading independently, take pictures of those examples, and post them to share. I always give feedback on any posted work.0 - 1 hours per week outside of class
Assessments Offered
Grades Offered
Learners are asked to bring a graphic novel of their choice (or more than one is even better!) as we will be hunting for examples of the elements we are learning.
In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:
The following texts will be referenced in this course. Note that we will not actually read these texts in their entirety, we will be looking at small clips from them to serve as examples of the elements we are studying. The Crossover by Kwame Alexander Illustrated by Dawud Anyabwile Pashmina by Nidhi Chanani Artemis Fowl: The Graphic Novel by Eoin Colfer, Adapted by Michael Moreci, Illustrated by Stephen Gilpin David Copperfield by Charles Dickens, retold by Jacqueline Morley, Illustrated by Penko Gelen Hazardous Tales: Raid of No Return by Nathan Hale Friends Forever by Shannon Hale and LeUyen Pham The Chicago Fire: Rising from the Ashes by Kate Hannigan and Alex Graudins Babymouse: Skater Girl by Jennifer L. Holm and Matthew Holm Battle for the Atlantic: by Gary Jeffrey, illustrated by Terry Riley Amulet: The Cloud Searchers by Kazu Kibuishi Nancy Drew: The Haunted Dollhouse by Stefan Petrucha and Sho Murase, based on the series by Carolyn Keene The Baby-Sitters Club: Good-bye Stacey, Good-bye by Ann M. Martin, retold by Gabriela Epstein Big Nate: Aloha! By Lincoln Pierce Tales of the Dead: Ancient Greece by Stewart Ross The Titanic Disaster by Adam Stone Illustrated by Tod Smith Helen Keller: From Darkness to Light by Megumi Sugihara, Illustrated by Naoko Takase Guts by Raina Telgemeier 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne, retold by Carl Bowen
Average rating:5.0Number of reviews:(117)
I love being a teacher and have wanted to be one for as long as I can remember! I now have 20 years of experience teaching elementary school and I hold two Master's degrees; one in Literacy, Curriculum and Instruction, and one in Library...
Self-Paced Class
$8
weekly or $40 for all content5 pre-recorded lessons
5 weeks of teacher feedback
Choose your start date
1 year of access to the content
Completed by 35 learners
Ages: 8-13
