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 Unit

Global 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!