Teaching with Graphic Novels: Resources for Educators

I give a talk on this topic probably once a year. I've done it at TLA and at IRC, and just spoke again on the subject at the Nevada Reading Week Conference in Reno, NV. If you attended those talks, or even if you didn't, here are some links to help you out:


"Graphic Novels 101: FAQ" By Robin Brenner (From the March/April 2006 issue of The Horn Book Magazine) This lays out the basics of some terminology, as well as some myths about graphic novels/comics.

"Graphic Novels 101: Reading Lessons (PDF)" By Hollis Margaret Rudiger (From the March/April 2006 issue of The Horn Book Magazine) This PDF walks you through several nearly wordless comic-book pages to describe some aspects of the visual language (pacing, camera angles, which panel to read in which order, etc.) of comics.

Random House Graphic Novel Educators Guide (PDF) A guide from the publisher of BABYMOUSE, LUNCH LADY, KIT FEENY, and STONE RABBIT

Toon Books Art Spiegelman and Françoise Mouly's (Maus and Little Lit) new kids' graphic novel imprint

Maryland Comic Book Initiative: Background

Maryland Comic Book Initiative: Sample Lesson Plans Two PDFs of sample lesson plans: one on reading comics, and one on creating comics

Diamond Comics Bookshelf The world's biggest comics distributor, Diamond, also has some excellent educational resources at their "Bookshelf" site, including basic definitions of comics terms, recommended reading lists, and links to many lesson plans.

Owly Lesson Plans Owly creator Andy Runton has created his own lesson plans for the popular series.

ComicsintheClassroom.net A truly impressive number of reviews of comics/graphic novels, plus links to even more lesson plans and articles about teaching with graphic novels

School Library Journal: "Graphic Novels Rule! The Latest and Greatest for Young Kids" By Michele Gorman (3/1/2008) I hope that all of you are signed up to School Library Journal's e-mail list, because they have regular coverage of comics and graphic novels, like this recent list of recommended titles.

School Library Journal: Overview of H.W. Wilson's Graphic Novels Core Collection Wilson's Graphic Novels Core Collection is a database for librarians that lists information about more than "2,000 recommended titles with descriptions, annotations, and cover art for some of the most popular graphic novels published. Through the WilsonWeb interface, subscribers can search the database by author, title, subject, genre, and grade level.... Annotations provide users with a brief description of the content, review excerpts, and any awards that the title has won. Ratings by age appropriateness within the entry are strictly applied..."

No Flying No Tights: Sidekicks Reviews of graphic novels for the pre-teen crowd

Flummery.com Many lesson plans and handouts

Comic Book Heroes. The lesson plans that accompany the Children's Museum of Indianapolis exhibit, Comic Book Heroes. Also, download the PDF of the lesson plans here.



Here are my updated PowerPoint slides, to help you out a bit further:

• Graphic Content: "What's a Graphic Novel, and What's It Doing in my Classroom?" (PDF)

• Fun Ways to Teach with Graphic Novels (PDF)