Behind the Mask: Superheroes Revealed Sample Course Syllabus

Transcription

1 Day 1 Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 2 Behind the Mask: Superheroes Revealed Sample Course Syllabus Welcome Journal: Why did you choose to take this CTY course? What are you hoping to learn in this course? Icebreaker If I had a superpower View slideshow of superpowers and superhero emblems Superhero emblem quiz guess the hero to match the emblem Make an emblem that reflects your chosen superpower Make a superhero name / nametag for your desk Course Introduction and goals Discussion / classroom norms CTY honor code activity: place words that describe a CTY student on poster Review technology use policy Pre-assessment Introduction to the superhero genre Define genre and discuss which literary genre best matches superhero stories What is a superhero? Hero vs. superhero Venn diagram Article by Stan Lee, What is a superhero? read and annotate article with a partner and revise personal definition of a superhero (mini-lesson on annotation) Independent work time finish superhero emblems Discuss Homework policy and procedures Introduce daily reflection sheet Amulet: Read pp.1-63, journal response questions July 4th Holiday CTY Closed The Hero s Journey video and article Note-taking sheet 12 stages of the Hero s Journey, provide examples from literature Outline a familiar hero story using Hero s journey model, add illustrations Discuss norms for sharing work / share outlines Introduction to the features of a graphic novel: Panels, gutters, and balloons History of graphic novels / comics: Read: The Colorful Story of Comics, by Patricia Lakin and watch video How to read a graphic novel view slideshow Highlight graphic novel features using a color key (panels, gutters, balloons, captions)

2 Day 4 Day 3 Day 5 View examples of balloon types and how they are used (add examples to sketchbook) Define and find examples of emanata in graphic novels (add examples to sketch book) Character development: Archetypes define and connect to the work of Carl Jung Archetypes slideshow Archetype note-catcher: list, define, and provide example from literature Amulet: Read pp , journal response questions Book talk procedures and behavior expectations Amulet: Discuss homework questions from Days 1 & 2 View PowerPoint presentation types of heroes Take notes on chart: types of heroes, define and examples from literature Discuss character appearance as a reflection of archetype. Define stereotypes. For a variety of archetypes, list stereotypes to avoid Project overview, guidelines, and timeline: create your own superhero story in the form of a graphic short story Design a superhero to use in the big writing project: Design a superhero sketch with labels showing power(s), weaknesses, weapon, emblem, etc. Complete superhero profile sheet Character development lesson: the backstory and its importance to explaining character motivation Define: Direct and Indirect Characterization (telling vs. showing) Read, annotate, and discuss 2 articles: 1. How to create a backstory that feels real 2. How to create an amazing backstory Examine techniques for revealing the backstory : prologue, flashbacks, dream sequence, journals, newspaper clippings Draft a backstory for your superhero character. Consider: Humble beginnings Tragic /traumatic event Showing attachments and relationships Revealing an inspiring mentor Amulet: pp.114-end, journal response questions

3 Book talk: Discuss archetypal characters in Amulet and the importance of the prologue to developing Emily s character. Lesson on character motivation: Watch video about superhero motivations Read, annotate, discuss article: 15 Interesting Motivations for Villains and Heroes Journal: What do you think motivates a favorite superhero? Writer s Workshop introduction: Norms for behavior and participation Model and practice using PowerPoint presentation: give specific compliments and suggestions for sample writing Distinguish between revising and editing Writer s Workshop: Introduce Peer Feedback Sheet Work with a partner to give feedback on superhero backstory. Discuss feedback and revise. Lesson on Plot Structure and Conflict: Compare The Hero s Journey to Freytag s Plot Pyramid Define conflict as internal and external and identify four primary types of conflict found in hero stories. Watch video about types of conflict. Read aloud: Snow White and the Seven Dwarves Map the plot structure whole group activity Read the comic book version of the same story. Discuss choices made by the author What parts of the plot were included? Left out? Shown in pictures? Dialogue? Day 6 Day 5 Map a familiar story (folk tale or fairy tale preferably) using a plot pyramid and identify the central conflict. Retell the story in graphic novel format. Begin mapping story idea for graphic novel project. Identify the central conflict. Use a plot pyramid diagram and the Hero s Journey outline. Individual meetings with instructor to plan for weekend writing. First draft of paragraph form original superhero story Herobear Read book 1, journal response questions Book talk: Map the plot of Amulet using the Hero s Journey outline. Discuss the trials Emily faces and her motivation. Writing exercise: Write the next chapter of Amulet in narrative form. Use a plot diagram to plan before writing.

4 Investigate how graphic novels convey information visually instead of through words. Dialogue and Narration activity from Using Graphic Novels in the Classroom pp Examine techniques for building tension and suspense in graphic novels Exercise: Complete the activity from Using Graphic Novels in the Classroom p.13, Use multiple frames to build tension in a given scene Review graphic novel structural features: panels, gutters, balloons Day 7 Day 6 Lesson: How to choose number and size of panels by creating a script Translate the next chapter of Amulet into a graphic storyboard by writing a script and planning panels. Workshop first drafts of original stories with a partner. Focus on plot structure. Independent work time: Superhero drawings Folk tale comic book Amulet next chapter Herobear Read book 2, journal response questions Revisions to original stories Book talk: Herobear identify archetypal characters Lesson on archetypes as symbols Archetype review: Define symbolism, trope Read aloud: Graphic novel version of Star Wars: A New Hope and identify the archetypal characters in the story Practice with Archetypes chart identify archetypal characters in Amulet and Herobear Archetype vs. stereotype (article and powerpoint) Create an archetype gallery. Work in small groups to illustrate and define archetypes from the morning discussion. (half-poster size) Consider when developing archetypal characters: Appearance as symbol Avoiding stereotypes Writing time: Review characters in your original story and match to archetypes. Consider addition of characters / revision of characters to include archetypes.

5 Day 8 Day 7 Writer s workshop with partner: Focus your suggestions on the characters in the story. Are some of the important archetypes represented? Do the characters have depth or are they stereotypes? Begin drawings of archetypal characters from your original story. Sketch page for each character / archetype. Page includes image of archetype and labels of attributes (similar to drawing of superhero) Herobear: Read book 3, journal response questions Continue story revisions What is the shadow archetype? Define and discuss characteristics. Watch 2 videos showing examples of the shadow archetype in popular movies Slideshow - What forms does the shadow symbolize? What forms does it take in the hero story? Note-taking chart: Types of Shadows Review the article: 15 Interesting Motivations for Villains and Heroes Create a backstory for the shadow in your original superhero story. Consider: What motivates the shadow? What is the connection between the shadow and your superhero? Was there a tragedy that influences your shadow? Writer Workshop: Share villain backstory with a partner and revise based on feedback. Feedback should focus on: Is the shadow s motivation clear and believable? Does the shadow have a relationship with the superhero? Do we / can we empathize with the shadow after learning the backstory? Continue working on original superhero story, focused on developing the shadow / villain. Consider: When is the best time to reveal the backstory? Will you reveal the backstory all at once or in pieces? How will the backstory be revealed? (dialogue, news report, diary, flashback, dream, etc.) Independent work time: Last day for superhero drawings and folk tale comics

6 Day 9 Day 8 Day 10 Day 9 Amulet next chapter Herobear Read book 4, journal response questions Practice sketches of characters for original story Book talk: Herobear - Review / discuss homework questions Lesson / Slideshow: What is a narrator? When and how is narration used in graphic novels? How do we know when the narrator is speaking? Find examples of each types of narration in Herobear: Narrative boxes Captions Thought balloons Lesson / slideshow: Narrator s point of view identify 4 types of point of view Point of view exercise: define each point of view and locate one example from classroom library, copy the panel into notes Computer lab visit type superhero stories to facilitate revisions Narration practice : Add narration to graphic storyboards created last week (folk tale comic and Amulet next chapter). Plan for how to use narration in superhero story: What point of view? How much and what type of information to reveal through narration? Independent writing time: Complete any unfinished projects Revisions / additions to superhero story Herobear read book 5, journal response questions Continue character sketches Writer s Workshop (whole group): 1. read 2 original superhero stories, 2. complete peer feedback forms focused on overall story structure, 3. discuss compliments, recommendations, and questions with the author Lesson / Slideshow: Define monologue and dialogue Watch video example of monologue from The Incredibles and view examples in slideshow Writer s Workshop (whole group): 1. read 2 more original superhero stories,

7 2. complete peer feedback forms focused on overall story structure, 3. discuss compliments, recommendations, and questions with the author Exercise: Write a short monologue for either Herobear or the Kid. Writer s Workshop (whole group): 1. read 1 more original superhero story, 2. complete peer feedback forms focused on overall story structure, 3. discuss compliments, recommendations, and questions with the author Day 11 Day 10 Independent writing time: make revisions to superhero stories based on peer and teacher feedback from today s workshops Lesson: Transforming your story into a graphic novel Model and identify steps for planning: Put major events into a timeline (use template) For each major event, make a list of what you will draw in frames (limiting each event to 4-10 frames) Begin planning process using completed draft of original superhero story to create timeline and plan for frame images. Nimona: Ch.1-7, journal response questions Work on timelines and planning for frames Review notes about dialogue and monologue from last week. Exercise: Add dialogue to comics with blank speech bubbles. Use clues from the pictures to imagine the storyline. Share comics in small groups and then compare to the actual dialogue in the books. Lesson: Techniques for conveying time View slideshow Read article from Using Graphic Novels in the Classroom, Conveying time Techniques for conveying time continued: Exercise what does the image tell us about time? Discuss examples in Nimona and Amulet Find additional examples in classroom library and draw the panels in sketchbook Lesson: Perspective Read the article from Using Graphic Novels in the Classroom Discuss the importance of perspective in graphic novel frames. Identify the types of perspective and the purpose of using each: Wide-angle

8 Long shot Close- up Extreme close- up Exercise Choose a perspective to portray a given scene and describe how you would illustrate it. Perspective continued: Exercise 2: Identify and copy panels into your sketchbook that show each perspective using books from the classroom library Day 12 Day 11 Independent work time focused on reviewing / completing panel outline for superhero story. Plan for perspective to be used in panels. Independent work on original superhero story project. Use panel outline to begin making panel Focus on perspective to be used in frames. Nimona: Ch. 8-10, journal response questions Work on panel sketches Lesson: Using onomatopoeia to convey sound View slideshow, define and view examples Read the article from Using Graphic Novels in the Classroom, Movement and Sound Onomatopoeia hunt in Nimona share Exercise copy panels that show onomatopoeia into your sketchbook Lesson: How movement is shown in graphic novels Review the article from Using Graphic Novels in the Classroom, Movement and Sound Highlight the sections about how movement is shown Exercise: Copy panels into sketchbook that show movement in a variety of ways Independent work time: continue making panels for superhero story (Individual student meetings with instructor) Book talk: Nimona Discuss : Who is the hero? What type of hero? What is the relationship between characters? Describe Nimona s backstory and what it reveals about her character. How do the characters justify violent behavior? Independent work time on superhero story panels

9 Day 13 Day 12 Day 14 Day 13 (Individual student meetings with instructor) Independent work time on superhero story panels (Individual student meetings with instructor) Nimona: Ch. 11-end, journal response questions Work on dialogue and narration in panels Review session in preparation for post-assessment Take notes on key ideas as we go through slideshows and notes from previous sessions Independent work time: Complete panel drawings Check for how well the panels match the story Add narration, emanata, motion lines, onomatopoeia, etc. Continue independent work on panels, assembling panels into book form as completed Color panels after assembly Independent work continued Share one finished graphic short story / instructor models dramatic reading of narrative while student reads dialogue. Write a letter of recommendation for your favorite book that we read in this course. Work on books / storyboards as needed Post-assessment Independent work time: 1. Complete panel drawings 2. Cut out panels 3. Assemble onto book pages 4. Make decisions about how many panels per page and attempting to end the page with a kicker 5. Color Student Evaluations Independent work time: Assemble books Think of title ideas and workshop with a partner

10 Create book covers Day 15 Day 14 Work on books / storyboards as needed Book talk Nimona Discuss Blackheart s plan to expose the Institute. Is it okay to make people sick to expose a greater evil? Discuss what is meant on page 162 when Goldenloin says, We assumed she was a girl disguised as a monster, but she s not. She s a monster disguised as a girl. Should we root for Nimona? Why or why not? 4 Corner Debate about the last question Rehearse for open house presentation: Lesson on dramatic reading View slideshows of each student s graphic short story Practice dramatic reading of each story Watch a superhero movie together to celebrate! 2:15 Open House and Closing Activities