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

Contact Information

• Mbakis@masconomet.org• mascographicnovel@gmail.com

• 978-887-2323 x 1307 • HS Room 307

Thank you for coming!