Teach Secondary - Issue 13.2

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 schools across the UK. So how can teachers harness this excitement for the form and have it usefully impact upon their curriculum? Something for everyone As a starting point, get some comics into class and see what’s out there that interests your cohort. If you aren’t sure, ask the students themselves – you’re bound to have at least one budding comics fan in your class who’s just bursting to share the joy of their reading passion with their peers. Comics are a brilliant way to support less engaged “Silent comics canopena worldof complexand subtle narratives toamuchbroader range of children” readers in developing a love of story and greater confidence in their independent reading. Many students will find comics’ combinations of words and images a satisfying way of accessing stories independently – but comics shouldn’t just be reserved for less engaged readers. They cover all genres and challenge levels, and should therefore be available as an option for everyone’s reading diet – even that of teachers! Since the launch of the government’s latest Reading Framework in July 2023, the importance of a reading for pleasure pedagogy has been placed firmly alongside phonics as a key part of a Bring some ‘KAPOW!’ TOTHECURRICULUM school’s reading provision. Building a comics and graphic novel collection into your wider book stock is a great way to start making use of this fun, accessible and compelling medium. Weekly or monthly subscriptions to certain comic titles and the anticipation they generate can help build a sense of excitement around your library and reading spaces. These will often present great value for money too, since the copies may well be passed around different classes multiple times. Frommanga stories for younger readers, through to well-known series from the likes of Marvel and DC, there’s a huge range of titles out there that will both entertain and challenge all levels of reader. Say it loud! Comics’ reliance on dialogue provides an ideal opportunity develop students’ understanding of how well-written dialogue can be used to both develop character and move the action forward in a scene. Observe some famous comic duos – Calvin and Hobbes, Tintin and Haddock, 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 students what it is that ‘good writers’ do. Alternatively, you can flip that task and prepare a comics page with all speech balloons blanked out. Ask the group to complete the 66 teachwire.net/secondary