Graphic Novels and the Diversity of Human Experience

In this lesson, students will explore local and global issues by reading a variety of graphic novels which feature elements of diversity in human experience (race and racism, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, socio-economic status, religion, citizenship, ability, and more) to consider how these depictions impact their understanding of the world.

SUBJECT:	English / Language Arts Social Studies
GRADE LEVEL:	High School
OBJECTIVES:	Students will explore local and global issues through literature to promote understanding of diversity and empathy. Students will engage in social literacy activities to support reading for pleasure. Students will be exposed to a wide range of literature to support student interests and reading levels.
MATERIALS:	Google Slides: Graphic Novels & Diversity (https://https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1LR1CGY0PiuCM0PeQAEwLtsiXJJr4L-4mqpjAJaB6kiU/present?ueb=true&slide=id.gb49b58034d_1_0) "Picture This: Using Graphic Novels to Explore Social Justice Issues with Young Adults" By Kasey L. Garrison and Karen W. Gavigan. Teacher Librarian 46, no. 3 (2019): 8–12. A variety of graphic novels that feature examples of diversity in race, language, socioeconomic status, sexuality, religion, etc. You will want as many graphic novels as students in your class, so every student can be exploring a book at the same time. A sample list is included here. Book Tasting Menu View the PDF A timer
TIME NEEDED:	60 to 70 minutes, but this can be adapted to expand across several class periods, where the book tasting activity can be lengthened.

INSTRUCTIONAL PROCEDURE

1. Introduction to Graphic Novels (15 min): Begin with the presentation slides Graphic Novels & Diversity. Share with students several important highlights from the "Picture This: Using Graphic Novels to Explore Social Justice Issues with Young Adults" journal article to provide context for the lesson. For example:

• Many of us are visual learners
• Images have largely become one of our main tools for communication
• Graphic novels may be more accessible for entry-level education on a topic
• Often told as "frank narratives"
• Include more characters from diverse backgrounds.

Have students pick up the graphic novel at their place setting and explore it as you discuss several important terms and concepts to improve comprehension, including panels, gutters, frames, captions, speech balloons, and the importance of examining facial expressions as well as the hands and feet of the characters.

Discuss the fact that a graphic novel is typically read from left to right and top to bottom, but some pages or stories may dictate otherwise.

2. Introduction to the Book Tasting Process (5 min): Provide students access to the Book Tasting Menu. Explain that they will have five minutes to explore the story with their hands on the book. They can explore any section that they want, but they should solely be focused on reading and exploring the story at that time. After the five minutes are up, they will have three minutes to fill out the handout for each book.

Note: At this time, I also like to give a warning that some of the books may have harsh language and/or graphic images. If a student feels uncomfortable, they can swap out a book with me or move to a different portion of the story.

3. Book Tasting Activity (40 min): Set the timer for five minutes and ask students to pick up their books and begin exploring.

Once the timer goes off, reset it for three minutes and ask students to begin filling out the Book Tasting Menu.

When the three minutes are up, students can take their Book Tasting Menu and move to a different seat. They can either rotate one space right or get up and wander anywhere in the room to find a new book to explore. Complete this process five times, so students have five completed Book Tasting Menus.

4. Review/Reflection (5 min): At the end of the book tasting activity, ask for four or five volunteers to share the graphic novel and example of a diverse life experience that stood out to them the most. When possible, expand on the student explanation to further highlight the examples of diversity featured in the book that was shared. Students who volunteer get the first opportunity to check out the book they share. This has worked well to spark discussion, encourage students to participate, and ensure books get checked out!

ASSESSMENT

A formative assessment strategy is a good fit for this lesson. First, teachers and librarians can review student thoughtfulness and engagement by reading through the completed Book Tasting Menus. Second, formative feedback can be gathered through critical thinking questions that are asked at the end of the lesson. Sample questions include:

• What effect did this graphic novel have on your understanding of the range of human experience?
• Did the way the author represented this experience impact your understanding of it in the world? Why or why not?
• What could our wider society learn from this book?
• How can understanding of this experience foster social change?

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Using Graphic Novels to Explore the Experiences of Immigrants and Displaced People by Karen W. Gavigan and Kasey Garrison, School Library Connection, January 2021.

Get more ideas about refreshing your teaching with graphic novels in Courtney Pentland's editorial, "Graphic Novels: Spark the Joy of Reading" and in her Elementary lesson, "Graphic Novel Elements."