Teach Reading and Writing Issue 19

Comics are a much more versatile teaching tool than you might think, says Lucy Starbuck Braidley W ith homegrown comic artists like Jamie Smart flying off the booksellers’ shelves, it’s easy to see that comics and their chunkier counterparts, graphic novels, are experiencing a renaissance amongst readers in primary schools across the UK. But how can schools harness this excitement for the greatest impact across their curriculum? Something for everyone As a starting point, get some comics into class and see what’s out there that interests your group. If you aren’t sure, ask the children – you are likely to have a budding comics fan in your class, who is just bursting to share the joy of their reading passion with you. Bring some to the curriculum ‘KAPOW!’ Comics are a brilliant way to support less engaged readers in developing a love of story and confidence in independent reading. Many children find the combination of word and image a satisfying way to access stories independently, but comics shouldn’t be limited to the less engaged readers. They cover all genres and challenge levels, and should be available to form part of everyone’s reading diet – including teachers’! With the launch of the often present great value for money, as the copies are passed around the class again and again. From great starter series like Mark Bradley’s Bumble and Snug or Ben Clanton’s Narwhal and Jelly (great for Year 2), right up to complex and heartfelt autobiography like Pedro Martin’s recent publication Mexikid , there is a wide range of titles out there to both entertain and challenge all levels of reader. Say it loud! Comics’ reliance on dialogue provides an ideal way to develop a group’s understanding of how well-written dialogue can be used to both develop character and move the action forward in a scene. Take a look at some famous duos: Calvin and Hobbes, Tintin and Haddock, or even Batman and Robin. If you looked only at their dialogue, would you be able to tell who was speaking? How has each character’s identity been shown in their speech? This line of questioning can stimulate some powerful discussions and help demystify for children what ‘good writers’ do. Alternatively, flip this task and prepare a comics page with the speech balloons blanked out. Ask the group to complete the speech, thinking about both character and what’s happening in each panel. These tasks can government’s latest Reading Framework (July 2023), the importance of a reading for pleasure pedagogy has been placed firmly alongside phonics as a key part of a school’s reading provision. Building a comics and graphic novel collection as part of your book stock is a great way to start making use of this fun and accessible format. Weekly subscriptions to comics like The Phoenix and Beano are a great way to build excitement in the library or reading corner, and “Silent comics can open a world of complex and subtle narratives to a much broader range of children” 36 | www.teachwire.net