Comics and Critical Thinking

Ontario Teacher’s FederationIt’s About Time – Critical Thinking and

Technology 2009-2010

Ministry of Education – Teacher Learning and Leadership Program 2010-2011

Sally B. MacDonaldTeacher-Librarian Sunnybrae Public School

Why Use Comics

Teacher Resource

“Readers in the 21st century need to be able to analyze what they have read and understand the motive of the author and the accuracy of the reading. They need to see themselves as active users, not merely vessels to be filled.”

Nancy Frey, Using Graphic Novels, Anime and the Internet in an Urban High School

(Danuta Woloszynowicz)

Comics• “Comics are really a way of framing events,

putting them in a sequence and choosing what the characters say.” (comiclife.com)

• A comic is a genre of writing that combines the power of images with words to express a thought , idea or message.

• They are used to inform; entertain; and/or persuade

• There are different types of comics: an editorial, comic strip, comic book, and graphic novel.

What is a Comic?

• A drawing or a sequential series of drawings that depict a story or message.

• “…good comic book writers think in pictures as well as words” (http://www.bigredhair.com/work/comics)

Comics are a fun and engaging way to help students investigate the power of words and illustrations combined.

Simply analyzing a comic for different borders, gutters, word balloons, sound effects, etc. is critical thinking.

Using “Comic Life” to apply these comic techniques also involves a great degree of higher level thinking.

“Comic books have had a motivating power inliteracy development for children, especiallyyoung boys, since their introduction in the1930s. This non-traditional type of literature –often dismissed by educators as superficialand shallow - is highly visual, containscomplex literary elements, and lends itself tocritical examination of moral, ethical, andsocial issues.”Norton, B. (2003). The Motivating Power of Comic Books: Insight from Archie Comic Readers. The Reading Teacher, 57, 140–147.

Danuta Woloszynowicz

Suggested Resources

• Understanding Comics by Scott McCloud; HarperCollins Publishers

• Comics & Sequential Art by Will Eisner; Poorhouse Press

• Comics in the Classroom: http://comicsintheclassroom.net

• Teaching Comics: http://www.teachingcomics.org

• Free Graphics: http://www.hasselfreeclipart.com

• Wizards of Draws: http://www.wizardsofdraws.com/main/thelist.html

• Pics4learning: http://pics4learning.com

Works Cited• Barbera, Hanna, and Ivan Velez. "Chills and Spills!

Scooby-Doo!" Comic Strip. Ed. Harvey Richards. Vol. #152. New York: DC Comics, 2010. Print.

• Bennett, Anina. "Visual Language: Writing for Comics." Bigredhair. Web. 14 Dec. 2009. <http://www.bigredhair.com/work/comics>.

• Bledsoe, Glen. Comic Life. Computer Software.

Comiclife.com. Web. 11 Jan. 2010. <http://www.comiclife.com/education>.

• Ferrari, Alessandro. "Walt Disney Comics." Comic Strip. Ed. Aaron Sparrow. Walt Disney's Comics and Stories. Vol. #702. Los Angeles: Boom Kids, 2009. Print.

Works Cited Continued• Fisch, Sholly. "Batman The Brave and The Bold." Comic Strip. Ed.

Michael Siglan. Mixed Signals. Vol. 13. New York: DC Comics, 2010. Print.

• McCloud, Scott. "Cartoon." World Book Student. World Book Inc.

Web. 11 Jan. 2010. <http://www.worldbookonline.com/student/printarticle?id=ar097660&st-editorial+comics>.

• McCloud, Scott. "Comics." World Book Student. World Book Online. Web. 11 Jan. 2010. <http://www.worldbookonline.com/student/printarticle?id=ar125620&st=comics>.

• Norton, B. (2003). The Motivating Power of Comic Books: Insight from Archie Comic Readers. The Reading Teacher, 57, 140–147.

Works Cited Continued• Snider, Jesse Blaze. "Toy Story: The Return of Buzz Lightyear Part

2." Comic Strip. Ed. Aaron Sparrow. Disney Pixar. Vol. 1. Los Angeles: Boom Kids, 2009. Print.

• Tobin, Paul. "Marvel Adventures The Avengers." Comic Strip. Ed. Nathan Cosby. Vol. 36. New York: Marvel Inc, 2009. Print.

• Waid, Mark, and Landry Walker. "The Incredibles." Comic Strip. Ed.

Aaron Sparrow. Disney Pixar. Vol. 4. Los Angeles: Boom Kids, 2009. Print.

• Danuta Woloszynowicz- “Comic Life- A Tool to Motivate Struggling Readers and Writers”. SMCDSB Curriculum/Technology Consultant 2009

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