Author Archives: Eric Hand

Graphic Novel Teaching: Reading with Fluency

A few weeks ago I put out a call, as you can see below, for questions about graphic novels readers. Tonya Girouard posted the following question: I created this quick chart to capture my thoughts on fluency in the graphic novel format. Balloon Shape– It’s important to pay attention to the shape of the speechContinue reading “Graphic Novel Teaching: Reading with Fluency”

Writing Workshop Teaching: More Purpose, More Authenticity

This week my kiddos will complete their second nonfiction chapter book. One of my major focuses for this second cycle through the writing process was to embed more authenticity and purpose into the writing process. To center purpose and authenticity, I decided to: Focus on the Writing Process — Several times through each of myContinue reading “Writing Workshop Teaching: More Purpose, More Authenticity”

Writing Workshop Teaching: “Catch-up” Day

Last week, instead of teaching what I planned, I had a “catch-up” day in writing workshop. You might also call this a repertoire day. Here’s how it went: “Writers, I’ve decided that instead of teaching you something new today, I simply want to remind you of everything we’ve already learned.” There were some puzzled andContinue reading “Writing Workshop Teaching: “Catch-up” Day”

Graphic Novel Rec #14: Our Little Kitchen

Creator: Jillian Tamaki Publisher: Abrams Books for Young Readers Our Little Kitchen won the Eisner Award for Best Publication for Early Readers (up to age 8) this year so I had to check it out. This story is based on the Tamaki’s experience volunteering at a small community kitchen in Brooklyn. I found this textContinue reading “Graphic Novel Rec #14: Our Little Kitchen”

Graphic Novel Rec #13: Wynd Book One: The Flight of the Prince

Creators: James Tynion IV, Michael Dialynas, & Aditya Bidikar Publisher: BOOM! Studios I love fantasy books. I love series. I love gay characters in literature. All of this means I was destined to love Wynd. The world of Wynd reminds me of The City of Ember. (The book NOT the movie!) The main characters areContinue reading “Graphic Novel Rec #13: Wynd Book One: The Flight of the Prince”

Graphic Novel Rec #12: The Sprite and the Gardener

Creators: Rii Abrego & Joe Whitt Publisher: Oni Press “And things are still just fine. More or less.” This is how Abrego & Whitt set up The Sprite and the Gardener. This book has been described as “gentle fantasy” which means a fantasy story that doesn’t involve fighting or violence of any kind. If you’veContinue reading “Graphic Novel Rec #12: The Sprite and the Gardener”

Graphic Novel Teaching: Previewing with the Lens of Genre

Previewing is a habit that helps readers set themselves up to read. Previewing allows us to come to the text with predictions of how we think the story might go or what we might learn. As we read on, we confirm or revise our predictions. Graphic novels are frequently grouped all together even though thereContinue reading “Graphic Novel Teaching: Previewing with the Lens of Genre”