Description:

This is a middle grade reading and writing course, which will include critical thinking, grammar practice, reading and interpreting graphic novels in addition to writing in several forms.

Graphic novels are an increasingly more popular fiction and non-fiction format and can be a gateway to reading for more reluctant readers and a new method of consuming information for the seasoned reader. With graphic novels, students can learn to handle ambiguity in a text and exercise more reading and interpreting skills by analyzing images in addition to text. Reading comprehension, as well as the comprehension and interpretation of themes, literary devices, and social issues is improved through the study of graphic novels.

By the end of the course, students should be able to write multi-paragraph pieces that may be in the form of essays, stories, descriptions, and narratives. Students will also leave the course with a stronger understanding and appreciation of character, themes and literary devices, in addition to images, icons and how one interprets what they see.

Students will have weekly reading and writing assignments, including a weekly grammar review, and should expect 1-2 hours of homework per week. There will be no quizzes or tests in this class; however, students should be prepared to complete projects and writing assignments.

A sample selection of graphic novel titles that will be included in the course, include the following: (titles subject to change; all books used in this course for the year are included in material fee)
The Jungle Book
Swim Team by Johnnie Christmas
Stargazing by Jen Wang
Alterations by Ray Xu
Pashmina by Nidhi Chanani
Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales (Revolutionary War)