Performance Standards
The use of comics/graphic novels invites students to compose their own comic strips for a variety of contexts (pre-writing, pre- and post-reading activities, response to literature, and so on). The use of this type of resource requires students to focus on the key elements of comic strips by allowing students to choose backgrounds, characters, and props, as well as to compose related dialogue. This resource tool can be used by students from kindergarten through high school, for purposes ranging from learning to write dialogue to an in-depth study of a formerly neglected genre. Therefore when we consider the performance standards that could be applied to the use of graphic novels/comic strips, it can vary depending on academic content. Below are the National Council of Teaching English Standards (NCTE) Georgia Standards of Excellence that could possibly apply to the use of comics/graphic novels with the use of digital photography: Additional standards could be identified depending on content area that is being integrated into the task (i.e. Science, Math, Social Studies, etc.)
NCTE NATIONAL STANDARDS FOR THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS
- Students read a wide range of print and non-print texts to build an understanding of texts, of themselves, and of the cultures of the United States and the world; to acquire new information; to respond to the needs and demands of society and the workplace; and for personal fulfillment. Among these texts are fiction and nonfiction, classic and contemporary works.
6. Students apply knowledge of language structure, language conventions (e.g., spelling and punctuation), media techniques, figurative language, and genre to create, critique, and discuss print and non-print texts.
8. Students use a variety of technological and information resources (e.g., libraries, databases, computer networks, video) to gather and
synthesize information and to create and communicate knowledge.
12. Students use spoken, written, and visual language to accomplish their own purposes (e.g., for learning, enjoyment, persuasion, and the
exchange of information).
Georgia Standards of Excellence:
ELAGSE5RL7: Analyze how visual and multimedia elements contribute to the meaning, tone, or beauty of a text (e.g., graphic novel, multimedia presentation of fiction, folktale, myth, and poem).
ELAGSE5SL5: Include multimedia components (e.g., graphics, sound) and visual displays in presentations when appropriate to enhance the development of main ideas or themes.
ELAGSE5L2: Demonstrate command of the conventions of Standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing. a. Use punctuation to separate items in a series.
d. Use underlining, quotation marks, or italics to indicate titles of works.
e. Spell grade-appropriate words correctly, consulting references as needed.