Comics in the Classroom

Each workshop requires a minimum of 40 minutes.

Grades K-3

Students will be introduced to the visual iconography of comics, including speech bubbles, motion lines, and thought bubbles. We will discuss why they know how to read these symbols, and how to read the panels of a graphic novel. Time, movement, and sequencing will be covered in this discussion. Next, we'll discuss characterization. Students will generate a list of what a writer/artist should know about a character. Students will draw their characters with the option of writing information about the character on the page.

During the second half of the workshop, students will be introduced to both wordless storytelling methods (such as David Wiesner's Tuesday and Chris Raschka's A Ball for Daisy) and comics that utilize both words and text (a variety of TOON Books' beginning readers). Creating stories with conflict and a beginning, middle, and end will be discussed. Finally, students will use panel paper, cut out speech bubbles and thought bubbles, pencils, and markers to create comics. During this period I will circulate, using open-ended questions to encourage students to take their work to the next level.

This workshop can be adjusted to meet the needs of art and/or English units and can be used in classroom with mixed grades/levels.

Grades 4-5

During the second half of the workshop, students will be introduced to graphic novels and books that use visual storytelling (such as The Invention of Hugo Cabret, Explorer: The Mystery Boxes, and Owly). We'll discuss story arc, conflict, and resolution and students will use an outline to develop a storyline. Finally, students will use panel paper, paper, pencils, and markers to create comics. During this time, I will circulate, using open-ended questions to encourage students to take their work to the next level.

Grades 6+ Graphic Novel Workshop

In this workshop, students will learn about visual literacy, analyze the relationship of words and text using the elements of writing, and practice drawing and descriptive writing to reach a better understanding of how graphic novels are created. Students will be shown examples of graphic novels and panel descriptions. Through a variety of writing and drawing exercises, students will create panels and panel descriptions with an eye toward understanding how words and pictures work together to create characterization, setting, mood, point of view, plot, tension, and pacing.

Teachers are asked to provide pencils, erasers, and white paper for this workshop. Please allow 40-90 minutes for this workshop. This workshop can be adjusted to meet the needs of English and art units and can be used in classrooms with mixed grades/levels.

Bookmaking or Zine Residency

In this 5-10 day residency, students will create books based on recent units or topics. Analyzing, curating, distilling, and presenting information is integral to the creation of a book. Students will participate in lessons on books, bookmaking, researching, sequencing, writing, illustration, and structure, each lesson supporting an aspect of the book creation process. Students will then create a book presenting their knowledge of the chosen topic. The residency culminates in an “Author Reception” where students present their books to the class.

Middle and high school residencies can focus on the creation of zines rather than books. A zine, or independent magazine, is easily reproduced and students can therefore create multiple copies to distribute to classmates, teachers, and the wider community. A presentation on printing techniques and their impact on the distribution of information will tie zine-making to social studies curriculum.

*This workshop can be done with technological assistance or without, depending upon school resources and teacher preference.