Shop Subscribe

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Schoolyard Blog | Teacher Resources | School Specialty

Classroom must haves for teachers plus essential teacher supplies, lesson plans and activities.

schoolyard-logo
  • Education Essentials
  • Inspiration & Planning
  • Learning Spaces
  • Topics
  • Search
  • < Previous post
    Next post >


    School Specialty • Aug 25, 2016 • Last Modified: Jun 24, 2022

    Use Comics to Ignite Learning in Your Classroom

    Sometimes teachers are faced with those special students who just do not seem interested in any of the typical approaches that tend to make learning more interesting. Teachers of these kinds of students have to go above and beyond to creatively draw in reluctant scholars. One approach to which many students are drawn is to use comics to make the learning a little more interesting. Here are a few ideas to kick off the learning across the entire curriculum.

    Science Comic Books

    With the help of “make your own comic book pages and worksheets,” kids can draw and write their own comic stories. When you’re studying science, why not have one of the topics be the inspiration for an “evil genius?” Acid rain, global warming, bad bacteria, and other science topics can be villainous while things like recycling, reducing carbon emissions, and antibiotics can inspire a team of superheroes.

    Creative Writing

    Comic books are a fantastic way for kids to express themselves creatively. Walk the kids through the process of planning a comic book adventure. Planning is important because the children’s stories will need to have a beginning, which introduces the heroes and the villain; a middle part of the story where a problem or challenge is presented; and an ending that resolves all the conflict and, of course, punishes the bad guy. Show the kids how to break the story into small bits, which can be illustrated. The action should be indicated by dialog and drawings. Comic book creation is an excellent way for kids to develop strong dialog for traditional story-writing, because long descriptive writing doesn’t work well in a comic book format.

    Literature Links

    Comic books can test the comprehension of students and determine whether or not they did their assigned reading from the night before. Hand the kids a comic sheet and tell them to illustrate what they read. Another way to include literature in comic book format is to eliminate the traditional book report and allow the kids to draw comics of their chosen books.

    Reading Comprehension

    Even the most reluctant reader will be drawn in by comics. Sometimes reading is just hard for kids. They won’t get better at it until they practice, and many kids don’t practice because it’s hard. It’s a loop that won’t improve unless teachers take unconventional approaches to reading instruction.

    If you’re trying to encourage a reluctant reader, have available a wide selection of comics. Don’t only choose superhero comic books. Classic newspaper comics like Garfield, Foxtrot, Zits, and Calvin and Hobbes can encourage kids to keep reading. Also, you can find many classic books in comic book format. Even some of Shakespeare’s plays are available this way.

    While comics hold special allure for reluctant learners, they’re also appealing to all students. Comics can make your classroom more interesting and hold everyone’s attention.

    Facebook Comments

    Trackbacks

    1. Art Technique Memory Journal says:
      Apr 12, 2017 at 12:21 pm

      […] can make word clouds using that week’s spelling words. Illustrate the vocabulary lesson using comics. History, science, reading, poetry, and vocabulary can provide rich inspiration for interesting […]

      Reply

    Recommended

    Drumroll Please. The 2022 Crystal Apple Award Winners Are…

    Inspiration & Planning

    Drumroll Please. The 2022 Crystal Apple Award Winners Are…

    Including Children with Special Needs in Literacy Activities

    Special Needs

    Including Children with Special Needs in Literacy Activities

    Six Easy Math and Reading Activities for Families

    At-Home Learning

    Six Easy Math and Reading Activities for Families

    Phonics and the Modern Literacy Teacher

    Reading & Literacy

    Phonics and the Modern Literacy Teacher

    Explore The Schoolyard

    Education Essentials

    Inspiration & Planning

    Learning Spaces

     

    TopicsShop Subscribe

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
    • RSS

    Copyright © 2022 School Specialty, LLC. All rights reserved. Privacy Statement · Social Media Statement · Do Not Sell My Personal Information - CA Resident Only

  • CATEGORIES

    • Education Essentials
    • Inspiration & Planning
    • Learning Spaces
  • TOPICS

    • Arts & Crafts
    • Early Childhood
    • Special Needs
    • Physical Education
    • Educational Technology
    • Student Resources
    • Organization & Storage
    • Classroom Management
    • STEAM & STEM
    • 21st Century Learning
    • Reading & Literacy
    • Healthy Students
    • Teacher Life
    • Back to School
    • Celebrations & Seasons
    • Out of School
    • News
    • Math
    • Science
    • Topics
    • Shop
    • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube