The Case to IncludeComics in the

Curriculum

Comics and the

Common Core:

NYCC 2013

Amie WrightNYPL

Emily Weisenstein

Madison Public Library

Stephanie Gabelmann

Boonton HolmesPublic Library

What is the Common Core?

45 states - New standards for Math & English Language Arts + Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science & Technical Subjects

● Students graduating Grade 12 without critical skills including: the ability to read complex text, conduct evidence-based research, or analytically deconstruct complex images

● Students moving between states – disparity of educational standards between states

● Global Economy

Why the Common Core?

Better readers = more successful adults

1. No more fiction

2. 100% Leveled Reading

3. Unified Curriculum

4. Specified ‘common core’ materials

4 Myths about the Common Core

what the Common Core is - 3 instructional shifts

What does this have to do with comics?

Comics & the Common Core

Common Core wants kids reading 'on level' with increasing ‘text complexity’...how do graphic novels fit with this?

Levelled Reading:

● Lexile & Comics – issues and concerns

Other goals:

● focus on primary source content

● firsthand accounts

● compare/contrast evidence

● multiple perspectives

● multiple formats

Did you know that Leveled Reading - like Lexile - is only a part of text complexity?

Comics & the Common Core

Common Core is about creating better readers

Students who are more critical, engaged, analytical, inquisitive, better, more confident readers.

Best way to do that…?

Comics make better readers

The evidence is in…..

1. Reading for pleasure puts kids ahead in the classroom

2. Comics may help people retain information better than traditional books

3. ALA Declaration for the Right to Libraries – more librarians = better test scores

...so why the resistance?

Comics are Common Core aligned

• Comics do make better readers

• More involved teachers & librarians does = better students

Not to mention so many great graphic novels…..

…so why the resistance?

AMAZING new comics

The Bad

Reputation Why are comics

and graphic novels often

viewed as inappropriate or non-quality

literature?

The Senate Subcommittee Hearings on Juvenile Delinquency (1954)

● Young people + comics = juvenile delinquents● Only horror and crime comics

were investigated

● Members of the comic book industry, politicians, educators and doctors were present at trial

● Trials were televised

Comics on Trial

Comics on Trial

● Biased representation

● Comics were represented in an unfavorable way

● The new Comics Code Authority toned comics down

● Comics remained linked with crime, horror and delinquency in the mind of the public

Questionable Content: Comics have limited subject matter, right?

Wrong! The opposite is true. Comics are not limited to superheroes, aliens, crime, violence…..

Many subjects translate successfully into graphic novels:

History/Historical Fiction, Science, Biography,

Geography, Math,Classics, Poetry,

Mythology/Tall Tales/Folklore

Questionable format: Serious books can’t have fun, colorful pictures, can they?

● Text-only books are perceived as superior to books with pictures

● Children begin reading with picture books, and as they become “better readers” the pictures begin to disappear

● Information can be presented in many different ways

● Graphic novels are simply an alternative way of presenting information.

If a reader gains understanding, should it matter in which format the information is presented?

So...Can Comics Help Students?

Yes! Students of all ages and reading levels

can benefit from graphic novels.

Graphic novels have proven their worth in

the medical world

Dr. Michael J. Green published a comic-style article in a

reputable medical journal

Dr. Green also teaches a graphic novel course to

medical students at Penn State College of Medicine

Graphic novels can offer:

● Increased motivation○ The graphic novel format is appealing

to school-age children

● Enthusiasm to explore a wider range of subject matter

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.6.2 Interpret information presented in diverse media and formats (e.g., visually, quantitatively, orally) and explain how it contributes to a topic, text, or issue under study.

Graphic novels can offer:

● Support for struggling readers:○ Less intimidating to lower level readers,ESL students○ Illustrations provide visual clues to help interpret text,

vocabulary, and emotion

● Challenge for advanced readers through complex plot lines, characters, etc

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.7.3a Engage and orient the reader by establishing a context and point of view and introducing a narrator and/or characters; organize an event sequence that unfolds naturally and logically.

Graphic novels and Common Core Curriculum

How can graphic novels help overall learning?

● Wide range of topical non-fiction and fiction titles● 65% of the population are visual learners● Easily accessible

● What is visual literacy? ○ To understand, interpret, and make meaning from

information presented in visual form. ○ Sequential art and storytelling○ Understanding visual cues

Visual Literacy

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.CCRA.R.7 Integrate and evaluate content presented in diverse media and formats, including visually and quantitatively, as well as in words.CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.K.5 Add drawings or other visual displays to descriptions as desired to provide additional detail.

Sequential Art and Storytelling

From Robot Dreams by Sara Varon

Learning to ‘read’ a picture

From Drama by Raina Telgemeier

From Dramaby Raina Telgemeier

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.CCRA.R.7 Integrate and evaluate content presented in diverse media and formats, including visually and quantitatively, as well as in words.CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.K.5 Add drawings or other visual displays to descriptions as desired to provide additional detail.

● What is visual literacy? ○ To understand, interpret, and make meaning from

information presented in visual form. ○ Sequential art and storytelling○ Understanding visual cues

Traditional books

can’t teach this!

Visual Literacy

• Huge selection of STEM based graphic novels

• More accessible for reluctant students

• Visual learners benefit from images, graphs, & diagrams

• Format aids retention

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RST.11-12.7 Integrate and evaluate multiple sources of information presented in diverse formats and media (e.g., quantitative data, video, multimedia) in order to address a question or solve a problem.CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RST.9-10.7 Translate quantitative or technical information expressed in words in a text into visual form (e.g., a table or chart) and translate information expressed visually or mathematically (e.g., in an equation) into words.CCSS.Math.Practice.MP4 Model with mathematics….’They (students) are able to identify important quantities in a practical situation and map their relationships using such tools as diagrams, two-way tables, graphs, flowcharts and formulas.’

STEM

Diagrams aid in understanding

Cultural Literacy

● Variety of multicultural graphic novels● Relatable stories and characters● Illustrations present a more complete picture of diversity ● Visual and textual immersion in a new culture

CCSS.ELA-Introduction: Students actively seek to understand other perspectives and cultures through reading and listening, and they are able to communicate effectively with people of varied backgrounds.

Illustrations immerse the reader in a new world

Social Studies

● Political cartoons are some of the earliest comics

● Present lengthy/dry texts in more approachable format○ 9/11 Report○ United States Constitution

● Visual representations enhance understanding

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RH.6-8.7 Integrate visual information (e.g., in charts, graphs, photographs, videos, or maps) with other information in print and digital texts.CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RH.11-12.7 Integrate and evaluate multiple sources of information presented in diverse formats and media (e.g., visually, quantitatively, as well as in words) in order to address a question or solve a problem.

Information Literacy

Our own AASL Standards for the 21st Century Learner

● 1.1.6 Read, view, and listen for information presented in any format (e.g., textual, visual, media, digital) in order to make inferences and gather meaning.

● 1.2.3 Demonstrate creativity by using multiple resources and formats.● 4.1.1 Read, view, and listen for pleasure and personal growth.● 4.1.3 Respond to literature and creative expressions of ideas in various

formats and genres.● 4.1.4 Seek information for personal learning in a variety of formats and

genres.● 4.1.8 Use creative and artistic formats to express personal learning.● 4.2.4 Show an appreciation for literature by electing to read for

pleasure and expressing an interest in various literary genres.

Common Core Crosswalk: An AASL Guide on how the Standards for the 21st Century and Common Core align. http://www.ala.org/aasl/standards-guidelines/crosswalk

Creative Expression

● Poetic license● Unique format● Alternative storytelling● Thinking outside the box

● STEM to STEAM - Art and design should be included as an essential skill● A range of simple and complex artwork can be used to tell a story● Artistic variety● Artistic style

Artistic appreciation

CCSS ELA’s definition of technical subjects: A course devoted to a practical study, such as engineering, technology, design, business, or other workforce-related subject; a technical aspect of a wider field of study, such as art or music.

Comics create visual literacy - and they are directly tied to common core standards

Comics work best in pairs for the reluctant parent

Scenario #1: Parent hates comics

“Comics are kid’s stuff.”“There’s nothing of value in comics.” Worst of all: “No, you can’t check that out. Go get a real book.”

Comics can supplement curriculum

Comics can supply amazing firsthand information

Comics can visually convey a period in history

Scenario #2: Teacher hates comics

“Comics aren’t educational.”“We have no time for them in the classroom.”“Comics are ok as long as it leads to ‘real’ reading.”

“Isn’t it all just manga and superheroes?”“I have all the volumes of Naruto….” “I guess I just don’t understand them.”

[...let’s call them ‘comic reluctant’]

Comics use their format to display information in uncommon ways to tell unique stories.

Scenario #3: Library staff hates comics

It is not just superheroes...and even when it is, it is not always the traditional superhero

stories/formats - ex. above from Hawkeye #11

“Comics are just for kids.”“Comics are just for boys.”“I only like real/long books.”

Scenario #4: Kid hates comics

Two words: circulation statistics

Examples: Diary of a Wimpy Kid Babymouse Graphic History Squish

Also, maybe some ‘Understanding’ of comics as sequential art is needed

Scenario #5: Your boss hates comics

“We have a tight budget.”“Can we justify them in our collection?”“We never used to have them…”

Questions?

Common Core Curriculum Standardshttp://www.corestandards.org/

AASL Standards for the 21st Century Learnerhttp://www.ala.org/aasl/standards-guidelines/learning-standards

STEM to STEAMhttp://stemtosteam.org/

Common Core Visual Literacy and Technology Mentionhttp://www.ciclt.net/ul/garesa/CommonCoreVisualLiteracyTechnologyMention.pdf

‘Common Core Crosswalk’: An AASL Guide on how the Standards for the 21st Century and Common Core State Standards align.

http://www.ala.org/aasl/standards-guidelines/crosswalk

Reading Studies

● Reading for pleasure puts kids ahead in the classroom

● Comics may help people retain information better than traditional books

● Medical Students Study Graphic Novels

● ALA Declaration for the Right to Libraries librarians = better scores/better readers

Links

Booklists: ● Math Graphic Novel Guide courtesy of Indiana University Southeast Library:

http://libguides.ius.edu/content.php?pid=405346&sid=3322581 ● Science Graphic Novel Booklist courtesy of Booklist Online:

http://booklistonline.com/ProductInfo.aspx?pid=4268442&AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1

● Multicultural Graphic Novels/Comics/Manga courtesy of Townsend Memorial Library: http://libguides.umhb.edu/content.php?pid=285448&sid=2349644

● Graphic Novel Common Core List courtesy of Diamond Comics: http://www.diamondcomics.com/Home/1/1/3/597?articleID=135961

● NYPL Children’s Books 2012: Graphic Novels: http://on.nypl.org/GMiuzd

Teaching Resources: ● March: Book One Teacher’s Guide courtesy of Top Shelf Comics:

http://www.topshelfcomix.com/contact/teachers-guide ● Using Graphic Novels and Comics in the Classroom from Edutopia:

http://www.edutopia.org/blog/graphic-novels-comics-andrew-miller ● Common Core Guides from Toon Books (lesson plans and activities):

http://www.toon-books.com/common-core-guides.html

Resources

Click on the image for more information:

Graphic Novels

Click on the image for more information:

Graphic Novels

Click on the image for more information:

Graphic Novels

Click on the image for more information:

Graphic Novels

Amie Wright Selection Librarian - MyLibraryNYCNew York Public Library amiewright@bookops.org / @librarylandia

Stephanie Gabelmann Library Director Boonton Holmes Public Library stephanie.gabelmann@boontonholmeslibrary.org

Emily Weisenstein Children’s Services Supervisor Madison Public Library emily.weisenstein@mainlib.org

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