About
Jan 05
So what’s the point of all this?
Sequential Smarts is intended as a resource for anyone interested in using comics in education. Readers – teachers, tutors, parents, older siblings, babysitters, anyone – submit reviews of comics they’ve used or are considering using for educational purposes. They tell us how they used the comics, who they used them with, what worked, and what didn’t. That way, when you’re wondering how you can make Shakespeare more accessible to your struggling readers, or get reluctant readers interested in a less text-heavy book, you can come here and see what our reviewers have had to say. It’s like gabbing in the faculty lounge, but with more text bubbles and less complaining about the broken photocopier.
Comics? Where’s the educational value in Batman punching out the Joker?
Well, the Joker should learn something from it, if nothing else.
Kidding aside, the world of sequential art/comics/graphic novels is vast and encompasses more than just Spider-Man and Ziggy. There are comics about history, mythology, science, and literature; comic versions of Shakespeare and Dickens; comic versions of popular books you read when you were a kid. Some of these can be used in the classroom as a primary source for a lesson, such as the Amar Chitra Katha series, which depicts both the history and the folklore/mythology of India. Some can be used as alternate texts for readers who are struggling with archaic language or dense text, such as Scholastic’s graphic novel treatments of Shakespeare. Some can just be added to your classroom library or recommended as independent reading assignments, such as the Baby-sitters Club and Goosebumps graphic novels.
This is not to say that all teachers should drop Macbeth in Shakespeare’s original language and assign the Trina Robbins version to their students. But for struggling readers who want to absorb the story but can’t handle the language, these books can be very helpful. For delayed or reluctant readers who balk when confronted by a wall of text, comics help them practice their reading by giving their eyes a break and providing them with contextual clues in the art that help them understand the words. Comics can help with sequencing, interpreting facial expressions and body language, and similar visual skills that some students need reinforced. They provide visual aids to difficult concepts in science. The benefits go on.
Plus, they’re just fun. And shouldn’t learning be fun?
Is this just for graphic novels? What if there’s a monthly superhero book I think kids would love?
It’s hard to get such a book in the classroom, but you should definitely submit a review! Teachers are always happy to have more reading material to recommend to their students, and if some of the series has been collected in trade paperback form, so much the better!
How are the categories organized?
The categories down the right side of the page are organized by author, age level, subject, and title. If you’re looking for a specific comic or artist, look for them under Author or Title. If you’re just browsing for something in the subject area or grade level you teach, the Age Level and Subject categories will probably be more helpful to you.
How do I leave a comment?
Just enter your name, your email address (don’t worry, it’s not visible to the world at large, it’s just a way to combat spam), your website (optional), and your comment. Please keep your comments on topic! Tell us about your own experience using that comic in the classroom, or whether the review was helpful to you. General inquiries do not belong in the comments and should be directed to sequentialsmarts@girl-wonder.org. General fannishness is great, but also doesn’t belong on this blog. All comments should be education-focused.
How do I submit a review?
Review submission guidelines can be found here.
How do I suggest a title for review?
Leave a comment on this post.
I’m a student, and my teacher used a comic book you reviewed in the classroom. Can I comment and tell you what I thought of it?
Sure! We’d love to hear from students about what comics they enjoy in the classroom and what comics they don’t.
I have a question that wasn’t answered here.
Email us with it at sequentialsmarts@girl-wonder.org!