Classroom comic kit · lesson 5 of 6
A graphic novel book report, with a template to print
Grades 2–5 · 45 minutes, or two short sessions. Students report on a graphic novel they finished: who is in it, what happened, a panel they loved and why, and whether they would read the next book in the series.
Materials
- Print the blank page, 4 big panels template, one each.
- A graphic novel each student has finished
- The book report template, one each
- Pencils and crayons; sticky notes
Steps
- Students bring a graphic novel they finished. Ask each to flag one panel they loved with a sticky note.
- Model the template with a book the class knows: fill in the title, author, series and book number out loud.
- Talk about the panel box: redraw the panel in your own way, then say why it matters to the story.
- Students fill the characters and what happened, in their own words, in a few lines each.
- Students answer the last box: would you read the next one, and why? Point out the series page tells them what comes next.
- Partners swap reports and ask one question about the other's book.
Quick check for understanding
Ask each student to say their report's last answer aloud in one sentence: I would (or wouldn't) read the next one because…
For every learner
More help: Fill in the title, author and series lines in advance, and accept a labelled drawing in place of written lines.
A stretch: Add a second panel: draw what you think happens at the start of the next book.
Standards
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.2.1 · CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.3.2 · CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.3.3 · CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.3.1 · CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.4.1
Common Core English Language Arts codes; the wording is in your state's copy of the standards.
The two pages, as they print
A comic book report
Grades 2–5 · 45 minutes, or two short sessions · Peabody's classroom comic kit
Goal
Students report on a graphic novel they finished: who is in it, what happened, a panel they loved and why, and whether they would read the next book in the series.
Materials
- Print: the blank page, 4 big panels template, one each
- A graphic novel each student has finished
- The book report template, one each
- Pencils and crayons; sticky notes
Steps
- Students bring a graphic novel they finished. Ask each to flag one panel they loved with a sticky note.
- Model the template with a book the class knows: fill in the title, author, series and book number out loud.
- Talk about the panel box: redraw the panel in your own way, then say why it matters to the story.
- Students fill the characters and what happened, in their own words, in a few lines each.
- Students answer the last box: would you read the next one, and why? Point out the series page tells them what comes next.
- Partners swap reports and ask one question about the other's book.
Quick check
Ask each student to say their report's last answer aloud in one sentence: I would (or wouldn't) read the next one because…
Every learner
More help: Fill in the title, author and series lines in advance, and accept a labelled drawing in place of written lines.
A stretch: Add a second panel: draw what you think happens at the start of the next book.
Standards (Common Core codes)
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.2.1 · CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.3.2 · CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.3.3 · CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.3.1 · CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.4.1
My graphic novel book report
Fill in every box. Draw your favourite panel your own way.
Nothing is typed into this page and nothing is sent: the student sheet prints blank, to fill in by hand.
The other lessons
- The parts of a comic · Grades 2–5
- A 4-panel retell · Grades 2–4
- Sequencing: panels in order · Grades 2–5
- Sound words and onomatopoeia · Grades 2–5
- Reading right to left (manga) · Grades 3–5
All six are on the classroom comic kit.