In this four week unit, will come to understand how a graphic novel is created and used as a medium to discuss difficult topics. At the start of the unit, students come to understand how a graphic novel is created, the vocabulary terms associated with comics/graphic novels, how the proper placement of images to relay meaning and event sequence; they will use this knowledge to create their own comic strip. Next, we will use this new knowledge of graphic novels to comprehend the time period of history that is depicted in Art Speigelman’s Maus; students with use inference and drawing conclusions to comprehend the roles of the characters in the story and to make conclusions to how this relates to actual historical events. Finally, students will create their own comic strip featuring positive attributes/character traits that they want to represent in their personal lives and teach to a younger audience.