Graphic novels as literature: read, analyze, and create your own digital chapter.
| Day | Activity |
|---|---|
| Mon | Intro to graphic novel genre; read Persepolis ch. 1–3 and discuss what makes it literature Reading |
| Tue | Analyze panel layout, speech bubbles, gutters — how does art carry meaning? Reading |
| Wed | Freewrite: a childhood memory told in 4 panels — plan on paper Writing |
| Thu | Type up your memory narrative; explore Canva's comic templates on computer Computer |
| Fri | Share memory comics; discuss what was easier to say in images vs. words Discussion |
Describe a moment when you felt like an outsider or a misfit. Tell it in both prose (a paragraph) and in panels (a rough panel layout). What can each form do that the other can't?
| Day | Activity |
|---|---|
| Mon | Persepolis ch. 4–8; how does Satrapi build character through both image and word? Reading |
| Tue | Dialogue workshop: how characters' voices differ; read excerpts from March Reading |
| Wed | Write a 2-character dialogue scene — no action, only speech Writing |
| Thu | Type and format dialogue scene in Google Docs; practice punctuation rules Computer |
| Fri | Act out each other's dialogue scenes — what sounds natural? Revise. Kinesthetic |
Write a scene where two characters who disagree have to figure something out together. Each character should have a distinct voice — the reader should know who is speaking without seeing the name.
| Day | Activity |
|---|---|
| Mon | Finish Persepolis; analyze how setting creates mood in graphic novels Reading |
| Tue | Descriptive writing workshop: sensory language, "show don't tell" Writing |
| Wed | Write a vivid setting description for your graphic novel world — one full page Writing |
| Thu | Create a "world map" or environment sketch; add captions using computer Computer |
| Fri | Share settings — can classmates draw the environment from your words alone? Kinesthetic |
Describe the world your graphic novel takes place in. Use all five senses — what does this world smell like, sound like, feel like underfoot? Write it as prose first, then imagine how two panels could show the same thing.
| Day | Activity |
|---|---|
| Mon | Three-act structure in graphic novels; read excerpts from Amulet Reading |
| Tue | Storyboarding techniques; plan your own 8-panel chapter beat by beat Writing |
| Wed | Write the plot outline and major beats for your graphic novel chapter Writing |
| Thu | Build rough panel layout in Canva; add placeholder text for dialogue Computer |
| Fri | Peer review storyboards — does the story flow without words? Discussion |
Write a one-paragraph summary of your graphic novel chapter — the elevator pitch. Then write a scene-by-scene breakdown (8 scenes for 8 panels). What is the emotional arc? What changes by the end?
| Day | Activity |
|---|---|
| Mon | Begin full digital draft: build panels in Canva, place dialogue and captions Computer |
| Tue | Continue drafting; focus on narration boxes and inner monologue Computer |
| Wed | Write the written component: a 300-word artist's statement about your choices Writing |
| Thu | Peer workshop: trade drafts, give feedback using a structured rubric Discussion |
| Fri | Revise panels based on peer feedback; refine digital layout Computer |
Write your artist's statement: Why did you choose this story? What visual and narrative choices did you make, and why? What were you trying to make the reader feel? Be specific — reference at least two design decisions (font, panel size, angle, color).
| Day | Activity |
|---|---|
| Mon | Final revision of all 8 panels; ensure dialogue, captions, and art align Computer |
| Tue | Print or export digital chapter; do a final proofread of all text Computer |
| Wed | Prepare short (3-min) presentation: what is your chapter about and what did you learn? Writing |
| Thu | Practice presenting; rehearse pointing to specific panels when discussing Kinesthetic |
| Fri | SHOWCASE: Present your graphic novel chapter and artist's statement Showcase |
Write a reflection on the unit: What was hardest about graphic novel writing? What surprised you? If you were going to create the next chapter, what would happen?
An 8-panel digital graphic novel chapter created in Canva or Google Slides, complete with dialogue, narration, and visual storytelling. Presented alongside a 300-word artist's statement. Audience: family, invited guests.