The Graphic Classroom, one of our faves and a great resource for teachers and librarians interested in comics, makes the wise suggestion of using graphic fiction as a perfect tool for read alouds! Here’s what Chris Wilson has to say about our superhero easy reader, Mo and Jo:
I have used several Toon Books with Kindergartener, first and second graders, including MO AND JO. The students loved how the two siblings fight, fight, fight, but then come together in the end. Such experiences resonate with children who have brothers or sisters. They understand and can relate and it is that relevance and attachment to literature that helps build strong ties to literature.
Do not be afraid to put kids in groups of two or three and have them do a shared reading. The students can each pick a character (which can include a narrator, human characters, creatures, animals, or inanimate objects) and read the book aloud, each reading his or her part at the appropriate time. It builds a sense of community – a shared literature experience – that is unique to comic literature.
Of course, as many of you know, Mo and Jo isn’t the only book that makes for great readers theater! Be sure to check out our lesson plan and activity sheet for Luke on the Loose by Harry Bliss, and maybe even watch our accompanying video of wild pigeon children.
Sarah, a fan and educator, says:
I just love the TOON Books series, and have used them with 1st and 2nd graders in a variety of ways this semester. They are a very motivating genre, especially for struggling readers. Further, it seems as if they are easier to comprehend as the text is mostly conversational speech and the illustrations hold a lot of information.
And now readers theater is something she can’t wait to try!