What's included
1 live meeting
45 mins in-class hours per weekHomework
1 hour per week. 2 Comics per week (comics are usually about 20-30 pages long and are an art-based storytelling platform so reading will take about 15 to 30 minutes depending on reading level)Class Experience
US Grade 6 - 8
Beginner Level
👋 WELCOME 😁 If this is your first class with me, use this coupon code: VANCEFIRSTCLASS10 CLASS SYNOPSIS Great for any superhero fan, this ongoing class will read through Marvel Comics during the week before coming to class and socializing, analyzing, and talking about them. PLEASE do not be among the over-critical who think that because comics incorporate images that they are any less educational than traditional ELA texts… Would we consider visiting a museum to analyze art unacademic? Would we consider analyzing a novel unacademic? So why do we consider a story-telling platform that blends both of those skills as “unacademic”?! That is wild to me! OVERVIEW • Students will read 2 Marvel comic books prior to class each week • Comic stories can be convoluted, difficult to jump in on and/or inappropriate for young audiences, so I am here to assist in creating an age-appropriate reading-list based on a superhero character, event, or team each student is interested in reading about • Only THREE available slots for this course because I want the students to pick what we read (with my guidance), and to have time to talk about them in class! • A single, 45 minute class will be held each week • Class-time will revolve around discussions based on the comics each of us read that particular week. • Tangents are encouraged! While this is a course centered on reading comics, if we end up talking about movies, action figures, Star Wars, or anything else I am happy to do-so CONTENT • Guidance in finding the right comics for your student! • This is a socializing class, great for students to connect with other comic fans! • If you have a student asking questions or desiring an outlet to support their Marvel comic interests, this class is a perfect place for them • I will throw in an occasional bit of Marvel history, facts, or insights from a life full of comic-reading knowledge TEACHING STYLE • I will will aim to facilitate conversation, protect think-time, and pose questions when needed • I love interacting with my students! I will be apart of the conversation as well 😁 • Class-time is built on interaction. • While students will be challenged to think deeply, their perspective will always be encouraged and celebrated. • I hope that students feel as welcomed to think as they are challenged in their thinking. ACCESSING THE COMICS • While I will assist in finding the comics, students will need to acquire the comics that will be "assigned" on a weekly basis. The easiest and most cost-efficient way to do this is to get a membership to the digital comic platform called "Marvel Unlimited." • There are several options on "Marvel Unlimited" but the most basic membership is perfect for our needs! It is $9.99 per month, however (as of May 26th 2023), they are currently running a special to make your first year of membership only $4.99 per month! • https://www.marvel.com/unlimited?cid=SEM_Google_20200302_unlimited_Brand&gad=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwscGjBhAXEiwAswQqNI8Chu9HEYjiqaRBxikpJQ5YGNleF2jLhiHqu8PRiR3QCjSxbCAY5BoCvGMQAvD_BwE • If memberships aren't your thing, I am also excited to assist in finding physical copies of comics and graphic novels for students who have wanted to collect the stories they love! I will scour my sources throughout the internet to get you and your student access to the reading they enjoy ⬇️‼️Don't let the Comic fandom end after this class! I offer another comic course for DC Comics‼️⬇️ https://outschool.com/classes/middle-school-dc-comic-book-reading-class-kids-socializing-who-love-heroes-YAqYfsXY?usid=HjYuHv99&signup=true&utm_campaign=share_activity_link
Learning Goals
Students will:
• Be safe and encouraged in their interests
• Be supported to read what they love
• Learn to socialize with other kids who are passionate about what they are passionate about
• Learn a Marvel fact or two
• Have some fun
Other Details
Parental Guidance
I WILL ALLOW YOUNG READERS IN MY COURSE but keep these parental guidance rules in mind:
• We will read comics rated T (According to the Marvel Comic-Rating-System "T" is appropriate for most readers.)
• May contain violence, profanity, imagery and/or suggestive themes). Keep in mind that this rating is a generality and does NOT take into account specific family sensitivities and ethics.
• It is advised that parents read these comics first (for at least the first couple of weeks) to get an idea of their content.
• The best way to describe how graphic these comics are is to imagine them as a sub-PG-13 movie. Violence, drug use, profanity, and sexual content may be present, but will not be explicitly depicted. For more specifics on this, read below.
VIOLENCE
Comics are generally violent and intense including images with:
• Blood and bruises
• Death on-panel and off
• Graphic violence such as vividly depicted breaking bones, gore, killing, etc
SEXUAL CONTENT
• Characters (both male and female) wear skin-tight and revealing costumes.
• Romance will be seen and sexual themes may be hinted at but not depicted.
LANGUAGE
• Profanity is often present.
DRUGES/ALCOHOL
• Drug use is a theme but is mostly depicted as a negative action (besides an occasional hero smoking a cigarette or cigar).
MENTAL HEALTH AND SOCIAL ISSUES
• Psychology is often central to character-building.
• Characters are often used as "case-studies" for insanity or heroes being pushed to their limit.
• Darker psychological themes will be avoided.
• Some older comics may display misogynistic, racist, or other negative social themes.
• Several of the negative themes found in comics will be addressed in discussion to ensure critical thinking, various perspectives, and positive thinking is supported
PARENTAL GUIDANCE NOTE
If you choose to acquire the comics via the Marvel Unlimited App, your learner will have access to the majority of the Marvel Comics library (including more adult comics). It is advised to set up adult-supervision filters through the app, or to apply your own method for monitoring your learner.
Comics can also be found as individual issues or as graphic novels online or at your local comic shop
Supply List
ACCESSING THE COMICS • While I will assist in finding the comics, students will need to acquire the comics that will be "assigned" on a weekly basis. The easiest and most cost-efficient way to do this is to get a membership to the digital comic platform called "Marvel Unlimited." • There are several options on "Marvel Unlimited" but the most basic membership is perfect for our needs! It is $9.99 per month, however (as of May 26th 2023), they are currently running a special to make your first year of membership only $4.99 per month! • https://www.marvel.com/unlimited?cid=SEM_Google_20200302_unlimited_Brand&gad=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwscGjBhAXEiwAswQqNI8Chu9HEYjiqaRBxikpJQ5YGNleF2jLhiHqu8PRiR3QCjSxbCAY5BoCvGMQAvD_BwE • If memberships aren't your thing, I am also excited to assist in finding physical copies of comics and graphic novels for students who have wanted to collect the stories they love! I will scour my sources throughout the internet to get you and your student access to the reading they enjoy PARENTAL GUIDANCE NOTE If you choose to acquire the comics via the Marvel Unlimited App, your learner will have access to the majority of the Marvel Comics library (including more adult comics). It is advised to set up adult-supervision filters through the app, or to apply your own method for monitoring your learner. Comics can also be found as individual issues or as graphic novels online or at your local comic shop
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Teacher expertise and credentials
Nebraska Teaching Certificate in English/Language Arts
Bachelor's degree from Grace University
Certification to Teach Secondary Students from the University of Nebraska at Omaha
Endorsement in English/Language Arts from the University of Nebraska at Omaha
ACE Educator
Over 10 years of experience in various educational positions
Lifelong Marvel fan and comic reader since 2005
Reviews
Live Group Class
$15
weekly1x per week
45 min
Completed by 2 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 13-15
1-3 learners per class