Activity Overview
This project is the perfect way for middle school students to summarize the plot of a graphic novel that they have read, transfer their knowledge of another piece of literature into graphic novel form or use their imaginations and write their own graphic novel! Many popular novels have been turned into graphic novels to meet a broader audience and introduce students of all abilities to rich content.
Some examples of popular literature turned into graphic novels that are perfect for middle schoolers are:
- The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman and P. Craig Russell
- The Giver: The Graphic Novel by Lois Lowry and P. Craig Russell
- Anne Frank's Diary: The Graphic Adaptation by Anne Frank, David Polonsky and Ari Folman
- A Wrinkle in Time: The Graphic Novel by Madeleine L'Engle and Hope Larson
- The Odyssey by Homer and Gareth Hinds
- To Kill a Mockingbird: A Graphic Novel by Harper Lee and Fred Fordham
Some examples of graphic novels that middle school students love are:
- They Called Us Enemy by George Takei, Justin Elsinger, Steven Scott, and Harmony Becker;
- Awkward by Svetlana Chmakova
- All’s Faire in Middle School by Victoria Jamieson
- Sunny Side Up by Jennifer L. Holm & Matthew Holm
- Real Friends by Shannon Hale and LeUyen Pham
- Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales by Nathan Hale
- The Witch Boy by Molly Knox Ostertag
- Smile, Drama, and Ghosts by Raina Telgemeier
Check out our many more versatile Graphic Novel Templates! Remember, when giving your students an assignment in Storyboard That, you can add as many templates as you like!
For more ideas and inspiration, check out our Graphic Novel Projects in the Classroom!
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Due Date:
Objective: Create a Graphic Novel Poster for a book you have read, or write your own!
Student Instructions:
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Within the template provided, add images and text to explain the plot of your story in sequence.
- Add appropriate items, characters and scenes to create the images.
- Look under "Speech Bubbles" to add dialogue and text.
- Save and exit when you're finished.
Lesson Plan Reference
- [ELA-Literacy/RL/6/3] Describe how a particular story’s or drama’s plot unfolds in a series of episodes as well as how the characters respond or change as the plot moves toward a resolution
- [ELA-Literacy/RL/8/3] Analyze how particular lines of dialogue or incidents in a story or drama propel the action, reveal aspects of a character, or provoke a decision
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient | Emerging | Beginning | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plot and Design | Poster includes at least 4-6 images that accurately re-tell the story. Dialogue and descriptions match the images and enhance understanding. It is evident that time and care were taken to create a visually appealing poster. | Poster includes less than 4 images and descriptions and dialogue do not always match the images. It is evident that time and care were taken but there is some important information missing. | Poster includes less than 2 images and does not depict the important parts of the story. Descriptions and dialogue are missing or do not match the images. |
| Spelling and Grammar | Spelling and grammar are mostly accurate. Mistakes do not get in the way of understanding. | Spelling and grammar have errors which hinder understanding. | Text is very difficult to understand. |
How To Analyze Events for a Graphic Novel Project for White Bird
Identify Significant Events
Ask the students to list the major developments in the plot in order to understand what they want to include in their graphic novel. The important events are the ones that advance the story or significantly affect the characters. Students can categorize the events according to their significance, connection, and overall contribution to the story.
Analyze the Imagery and Symbolism
Pay notice to any repeating symbols or images connected to the occurrences. How do these symbols deepen the story's context? Students can always include the events that have a hidden meaning or any form of symbolism as these events enhance the overall meaning of the story and play an important role in creating a perception for the readers.
Understand the Connection
Examine the connections between the events. Are there similarities or differences between various events? How do they add to the story's overall structure? There are many events in the story that would not make make without each other. For instance, Sara’s hardships would not make much sense if the readers were not aware of her smooth and happy life before the Holocaust.
Hold a Group Discussion
Guide the students to discuss with each other the significance of events present in the story. The discussion would give the students a chance to learn new things from their class fellows and open new possibilities to look at things. The discussion can involve understanding the sequence of events, what events should be included in the graphic novel, and the connection between events.
Summarize and Finalize
Once the students are done with the discussion, ask them to summarize the main points of the conversation and what they learned. Ask the students to finalize the events they want to be a part of the graphic novel.
Frequently Asked Questions About Graphic Novel Project for White Bird
What central message from White Bird can the students convey through their graphic novels?
Students can convey the central message of kindness, resilience, facing challenges, and fighting against evil forces. These messages can be emphasized by focusing on events that conveyed these specific themes and show the readers how the characters portrayed these traits.
What concepts can the students use to create a graphic book based on "White Bird"?
The development of character profiles, the visual exploration of important topics, the visual adaptation of a particular chapter or scene, or even the creation of a graphic book that elaborates on a certain plot point are some project possibilities. Students can further use their imagination to add to the story and create their own version of White Bird while keeping the central themes the same.
More Storyboard That Activities
Middle School Projects
This Activity is Part of Many Teacher Guides
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