Using Cartoons and Graphic Novels to Teach Elementary Writing

Courtney Cleghorn

We all have to write, but it is what you do with it that makes a difference. Students feel they have nothing to say or that no one will listen. This unit is for 5th grade Special Education students but can be used with all students. This unit's focus is getting students to write, develop their writing, and have a graphic cartoon when they are finished. The 5th grade curriculum says students will be writing and illustrating a science fiction narrative. Students will make up an event that has not happened, instead of pulling from a real-life event. The goal of this unit will be to have a science fiction narrative and a comic/graphic novel. I will be writing a science fiction story along with the students, to get them to understand the writing process. I will also be using mentor texts to model writing and how to use a graphic organizer. If needed, students will be allowed to use technology for recording stories orally or they will use pencil on paper. While completing the science fiction narrative the students will focus on setting development, characterization, voice and dialog.