MASCONOMET REGIONAL HIGH
SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE
WELCOME!
The Graphic Novel
Ms. Bakis
How & Why this course happened…
• Graduate Course- SSU• Student Engagement • 21st century literacy• Legitimate literature
• The length of a piece of literature doesn’t determine its worth or complexity.
• Current, relevant topics for meaningful discussion & authentic writing
Teaching Philosophy• Transactional Theory • Reader Response (student-centered learning)• Focus on practical skills– Writing, Reading, Speaking, Listening– Research, finding and using authoritative
sources without plagiarizing– Media literacy & technology use– Critical thinking & self-aware learning (meta-
cognitive reflection)• Fun, appreciation of story• Collaboration & social meaning making
Graphic Novels…• are NOT the same as comic books!!!!!!• are aimed at an adult audience• are complex and thought-provoking• include literary elements just like poetry,
short stories, and traditional text-only novels
• engage a variety of students of varying abilities & interests
• are taught at American colleges & universities
Reading Curriculum• Graphic novels, short graphic narratives • Elie Wiesel’s holocaust memoir, Night• Contemporary essays by Scott Russell
Sanders, New Yorker authors, & others• Funny in Farsi• Independent reading selections• Literary criticism• Research (non-fiction print and electronic
sources)
Writing Curriculum• Summer reading response• Journal writing/reader response• College/personal essay• Comparative essays• Argument essays (*midterm)• Critical analysis essay• Autobiographical essay• Creative Narratives (fiction and non-fiction)• Research project• Independent book review• Film reviews• Blogging, collaborative writing using Google Docs, social
networking discussion forum
Journal= Participation • Active reading notes• Comprehension
questions• Reflection and reader
response• Thinking through
writing• Developing ideas• Asking questions• Concrete evidence of
engagement, learning
• Class discussion• Group work• Journal exchange• Essay pre-writing &
drafting• Peer editing• Study habit reflection• Homework• Quizzes on reading
and class discussion
Quarterly Portfolio• Quarterly reflection on study habits, learning
and achievement.• Most important summative assessment of
learning• Due at the end of each quarter• Honest account of self as learner• Helpful for future goal setting and
achievement• Acknowledgement of progress!• Review of concepts and skills
Tests, Quizzes & Projects• Few tests, • Several quizzes• 1 project per quarter– Q1: research paper on history of comics – Q2: Independent reading project– Q3: Make your own graphic narrative!
Empathy & the human condition
RESEARCH PAPER• History of telling
stories using images
• Comics industry• Comics and film• Focus on major
figures in development of medium
• Comics controversy
The comics medium, sequential narrative, and how we
communicate
Heroes, Superheroes, Society and the Individual
Genre study: Memoir
Fathers & Sons UnitGlobal perspectives, Women & Iran, coming of age
Culture & Identity• Use of Stereotypes
in comics• Negative
stereotypes• Hyperbole &
Humor• Immigrant
experience
Films …• Ghost World• American Splendor• The Road to Perdition• The Spirit• V for Vendetta• Batman: The Dark Knight• Persepolis• The Boy in the Striped Pajamas
Online Resources• My Professional website
• Student Graphic Novel Course site
• Masconomet’s English Department Page
Thank you for coming!