Introduction and Rationale
This unit will explore the illustrative components of graphic narratives. Students will ultimately create on their own about overcoming a challenge. There are four content objectives: observational drawing skills, illustrative style development, storytelling basics, and applying visual components of graphic novels. Through a series of mini units focusing on each objective, students will build the tools necessary to create a short illustrated narrative in their personal style.
Why is the theme “Overcoming Challenges?” While many students have a prior interest in Graphic Novels, they often are new to the idea of creating one on their own. An additional challenge that middle school educators face lies in supporting students in a stage of development where they are full of insecurity and uncertainty. For example, many students are afraid to leap from the ‘stick figure’ stage and take on the more challenging task of realistic illustration. Some students are afraid of being wrong and therefore don’t try. The goal is to push students out of their comfort zones to try realistic drawing, and break this down for them to then establish their own drawing style. Students will reflect individually and collaboratively on areas of growth throughout the process of developing their graphic novel and identify strategies to improve this. The theme of “Overcoming Challenges” itself embraces the idea of productive struggle in a way that will give students the skills to identify their own drawing style and ability and communicate constructive criticism with peers.
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