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The School of Comics and Graphic Novels

Educational Sessions for Teachers, Librarians and Comics and Graphic Novel Creators

Friday, Nov. 13, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Room 7128 (Bldg. 7, First Floor)

Presented by GraphicNovelReporter.com

It may come as a surprise, but comics have been a part of academic curricula for a couple of decades. Now, graphic novels are beginning to find their place in elementary, middle and high school classrooms across the country. How did this happen? Who is teaching with graphic novels and comics? How are they using them? Can they work in schools beyond the Language Arts and English curriculum?

Join us for a day of dynamic and thought-provoking workshops and presentations for teachers and librarians. Programming will include a history of the art of storytelling through comics, the science behind the art of comics, the art of teaching with graphic novels and why graphic novels work so well for students who are considered “challenged,” “reluctant” or “gifted” readers.

Below are program details.

Introduction and Welcome

10:00–10:05 a.m.
Carol Fitzgerald, Founder of GraphicNovelReporter.com

Opening Session

10:05–10:50 a.m.
Welcome to the World of Comics and Graphic Novels: How Did We Get Here?
with John Shableski, Sales Manager, Diamond Book Distributors

The art of storytelling with pictures is as ancient as human civilization, but the recent explosion of comics and graphic novels in our culture has caught more than a few by surprise. The history of American comics and its bond to literacy weaves its way from the revolutionary voice of Ben Franklin to newspaper giant Joseph Pulitzer to today’s classroom. Along the way comics have seen a Golden Age, suffered a near death at the hands of censors during the Cold War, and now, have been reborn as graphic novels. This first session of our School of Comics and Graphic Novels will lay the foundation for the rest of the day’s programs, because without knowing where we have been, it’s difficult to understand where we are going.

Session 1

11:00–11:50 a.m.
When Words and Art Converge: Why Teaching with Graphic Novels Works
with James Sturm, Director, Center for Cartoon Studies

The challenges involved in creating a single-panel comic, a comic strip or graphic novel require an amazing and greatly underappreciated ability in storytelling. Consider the skills a cartoonist uses to tell a story: life drawing, perspective, design, typography, color, writing, editing, acting. From lighting and costuming to researching a script and finding visual references, creating a graphic novel is a multimedia experience that brings together art and writing. Drawing from his experience as a cartoonist and as the director and co-founder of the Center for Cartoon Studies, James Sturm will discuss his own experiences teaching comics and graphic novels and the place for them in the English/Language Arts/Art classroom.

Lunch

11:50–12:50 p.m.
Miami Book Fair’s Street Fair is in full swing. Check it out!

Session 2

1:00–1:50 p.m.
Breaking Through and Engaging Tweens with Graphic Novels: How Spider-Man, Naruto or the Wimpy Kid Entices the Reluctant and Challenged Reader
with Dr. Katie Monnin, Assistant Professor of Literacy at University of North Florida

What is it about a graphic novel that kids find so entertaining and valuable? What sort of value is there in what we used to call “comics?” Reading graphic novels requires a greater amount of skill than most can appreciate. In Breaking Through, Professor Katie Monnin will discuss the importance of graphic novels in literacy programs, reading engagement and teaching with images and print text simultaneously, as well as the magic of using graphic novels to help tweens discover the joy of reading.

Session 2B

1:00–1:50 p.m.
Creating Web Comics: The New Sunday Funnies
with Dan Goldman, Comics Creator
 
Before the birth of the Internet, comics artists had very few outlets where they could effectively promote their work. The Sunday funny pages were the ultimate sign of success, but to get there, one had to work hard to get exposure via underground papers, free papers or even self-publishing. The Web has flung the doors open to reveal a global audience of readers hungry for comics of all shapes and sizes, styles and genres. Dan Goldman discusses the various aspects of creating web comics, such as creating memorable characters and series, ways to move seamlessly between digital and print, what makes a web comic successful online and how to market your own.

Session 3

2:00–2:50 p.m.
Comic Book Basics: Teaching the Print Medium to the Pixel Generation
with Carol Tyler, Comics Creator and Instructor, University of Cincinnati School of Design, Art, Architecture and Planning

What's so funny about teaching comics? The opportunities to adapt the world of comics to a wide variety of lessons are endless. Carol Tyler’s workshop will demonstrate activities that keep students motivated, with an emphasis on how to keep assignments interesting and fun by balancing technical lessons—such as inking with a ruler and an exercise titled “Why Is Furby?” Join Ms. Tyler as she discusses the value and the challenges of teaching a format firmly rooted in the print tradition to members of the pixel generation.

Session 4

3:00–3:50 p.m.
Who Doesn’t Want to Be a Superhero? The surprisingly sociological and scientific lessons of Iron Man with Alex Simmons, Comics Creator and Educator

If you look just beneath the surface, or cape, of any classic superhero, there are a great many lessons to be learned and taught. In more than a few cases, you can actually mix science with issues of ethics and morals. Take for instance the science behind the Iron Man costume: What makes it fly? How does it protect the human body from extreme heat or cold? What caused the protagonist, Tony Stark, to change from a morally questionable billionaire playboy to an ethical person and defender of humanity? Whether you are an adult just entering the world of comics and graphic novels or you are a teacher looking for new ways to incite a great discussion with your students, this workshop will definitely create a new perspective on what it takes to be a superhero.

Closing Session/Keynote

4:00–4:50 p.m.
Special Guest Speaker: Harry Bliss, author and illustrator of Luke on the Loose (TOON Books)

FREE. Registration required.
For additional information, please call 305.237.3841 or 305.237.3298.

Author(s)

Harry Bliss

Harry Bliss is a beloved New Yorker cartoonist and cover artist, as well as the illustrator of numerous bestselling children’s books, including Doreen Cronin’s Diary of a Worm and Which Would You Rather Be? by Caldecott Medal-winner William Steig. His newest book for young readers is Louise: The Adventure of a Chicken by Newberry Award-winner Kate DiCamillo.

His first TOON Books graphic novel, Luke on the Loose, tells the story of a boy who just wants to run and play. On a sunny day in Central Park, little Luke spots some pigeons he would love to chase, and while Dad is lost in “boring Daddy talk,” before you know it, LUKE IS ON THE LOOSE! He’s free as a bird, on a hilarious solo flight through New York City.

Dan Goldman

Dan Goldman is the writer-artist of the real-estate horror series Red Light Properties. A frequent speaker on both digital comic processes and online distribution, Dan is the creator of the Eisner-nominated web-to-print comic Shooting War, the graphic novel, 08: A Graphic Diary of the Campaign Trail and a founding member of the celebrated web comics collective ACT-I-VATE. He lives in New York City.

Dr. Katie Monnin

Dr. Katie Monnin is an assistant professor of literacy at University of North Florida in Jacksonville. She has presented nationally at conferences on teaching graphic novels in the classroom, image and print-text literacies and new media. Katie is co-editor of Florida Reading Quarterly. Her book Teaching Graphic Novels: Practical Strategies for the Secondary ELA Classroom is being published by Maupin House and will be available in November.

John Shableski

John Shableski has been a speaker, program coordinator and panel member for library, educational and retail trade shows and symposiums such as Book Expo America, Oklahoma State Library Association, Fan Expo Canada, Fordham University, Comic-Con International, New York Comic Con and the Miami Book Fair International. He is also a member of the Book Expo America Advisory Committee and served as judge for the 2009 Eisner Awards—the American comics industry’s highest honor. John works as a sales manager for the world’s leader in graphic novel distribution, Diamond Book Distributors.

Alex Simmons

Alex Simmons is a professional freelance writer, teaching artist, guest speaker, and an arts and education consultant. Simmons is also the founder and co-producer of the Kids’ Comic Con as well as the Color of Comics art exhibition featuring works of artists from around the world portraying people of color in comics. For more than 20 years, Simmons has been writing, teaching and consulting for the magazine, comics and traditional book publishing industry. As a writer of comics, he’s received critical acclaim for his adventure series Blackjack. He’s also worked as a co-creator for DC Comics and well-known cartoon series like Scooby-Doo. His most recent work has been for Archie Comics. He’s been a panel coordinator, moderator and panel member at major conventions, including Book Expo America, and is now serving as an Art in Education consultant for The Children’s Art Carnival and as a board member for the New York State Alliance for Arts Education. He is also a blogger for GraphicNovelReporter.com.

James Sturm

James Sturm is the current director of the Center for Cartoon Studies and is also an internationally recognized cartoonist. He is co-founder and director of The National Association of Comics Art Educators. His writings and illustrations have appeared in scores of national and regional publications, including The Chronicle of Higher Education, The Onion, The New York Times and on the cover of The New Yorker. He is also a co-founder of The Stranger, a Seattle arts and news weekly. His book, The Golem's Mighty Swing was named the 2001 Comic of the Year by Time Magazine and has been translated into three languages.

Carol Tyler

Professor Carol Tyler is a writer/illustrator whose award winning autobiographical comic stories have been published for more than 25 years. Tyler is also a professor, teaching the basics of the comics and graphic novel format at a top-ranked, tech-savvy design school. As a working professional, Tyler brings her skill and expertise into the classroom. She has developed curriculum materials and programs that help students understand what it takes to make words and pictures work together.

Location

Miami Book Fair International * Miami Dade College
300 NE Second Ave., Miami, FL 33132
Room 7128 (Bldg. 7, First Floor) * Free parking in building.

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