#worldgeochat is a weekly chat focused on teaching geography and global studies. Chats vary between geography specific topics as well as general teaching and education topics. ALL are welcome in worldgeochat!
Welcome to #worldgeochat with guest moderator Quinn Rollins (@jedikermit), author of "PLAY Like a Pirate!" Tonight, we're talking comic books and graphic novels in geography! Please introduce yourself, where you're from and what you teach.
Hey #WorldGeoChat !!! I heard it's graphic novel night with @jedikermit so I HAVE to jump in on this one :) Matt from Atlanta, Ga here -- 7th & 8th Social Studies
Hi #worldgeochat, this is Bill Chapman, a retired secondary social studies teacher, checking in from Berkeley, CA. Looking forward to learning about geographic graphic books.
Hi #worldgeochat friends, I'm Quinn, Salt Lake City. I'm my school district social studies specialist, author of Play Like a Pirate: Engage Students with Toys, Games, and Comics. #PlayLAP kinda stuff. I'm excited to be with you tonight!
Jennifer from GA 9th AP Human Geo and a #worldgeochat co-mod flying in at the last minute tonight. Can't wait to spend the hour with you and @jedikermit
Hi! I'm Melissa from Atchison, KS. I teach 6-8 Soc Studies (World, Geography/KS, & US History). Just finished my semester on geography, moving on to KS history, but still want to learn more about teaching this discipline! #worldgeochat
Joanne from Missouri! 7th grade world history and 11th grade modern global issues. Looking forward to seeing @jedikermit in KC end of the month. #worldgeochat
Welcome Melissa! ...I taught state history too -- it's an interesting topic. I always tried to connect state history to the larger world. Some of that through geography. #WorldGeoChat
ME TOO! We're finishing up our first unit on the History of Medicine (& it's amazing seeing the Ss understand how geo impacted the medical field!) #worldgeochat
A1: I haven't seen students reading graphic novels all that much. I have a couple in my classroom, such as Ghosts by Raina Telemeger and the Ms Marvel series #worldgeochat
I teach 8th US Hist in Philadelphia; curious about graphic novels in the social studies classroom-- enough to use it as a topic of research for my grad class
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A1 I have not personally witnessed it this year, but I did have a student a few years back that was a graphic novel junkie. I don't remember what she liked to read, but I specifically went out of my way to include them for her. #worldgeochat
A1 We need @historycomics to join in tonight. His students read tons of graphic novels, comics and history. Maybe he can tell us what geography books they are into, if any. #worldgeochat
A1: my Ss will pick up the graphic novels that I have in class, and they've recommended a couple for me to add to the collection ... they actually love reading MAUS! #worldgeochat
A1: I see kids reading a lot of Anime, and a lot of things from the Scholastic Graphix imprint -- possibly just because that's what they see at the Book Fairs? https://t.co/Ywo6lO5ApI ...and then superhero comics from Marvel and DC Comics. #WorldGeoChat
Absolutely! Teaching geography first and then state history really helps Ss put into perspective how so many other things like people & ideas influence our state and how we influence the world around us! #worldgeochat
A1 - hardly...but my own kids love them. I found the @goraina 's books on the baby-sitter club series at the library and they were converted. #worldgeochat
A1
I see lots of Ss - especially some of the reluctant readers - reading graphic novels. I've seen Roller Girl, El Deafo, and Maus a lot! #worldgeochat@jedikermit
A1: Maus is on my bookshelf, even for our ELA unit on masking identity. Most graphic novels I see students reading are fiction these days. #worldgeochat
A1 - my son inhaled graphic novels when he was in middle school. Ashamedly I was not that encouraging. I now know better thanks to @jedikermit#worldgeochat
Is Maus one they're required to read, or an option within the Masking Identity unit? I love incorporating graphic novels and comics into literature circles/text sets. #WorldGeoChat
A1 Students introduced me to Love and Rockets back in the day. Lately, of course, it's Black Panther. Differences between the MU and the MCU are worth discussing. #worldgeochathttps://t.co/JeGkW0AnXw
A1 I agree that I feel like graphic novels don't seem as popular these days, but maybe they're just not reading it at school. I worked at a library over the summer & saw many of my Ss check out the Scrooge McDuck & Flight series of books #worldgeochat
A few years ago, I convinced my curriculum AP to buy me some class sets for physical geography. The kids LOVED them. We slowly progressed from reading to creating our own!
My students struggle with reading for 20 minutes. It's the end of the world for them. I'm truly struggling with how to encourage reading other than modeling it (which I do :)) #worldgeochat
A2: As I said in Q1, I've read about a dozen graphic novels (all history based) and I just LOVE all of them...I was also gifted Nathan Hale's history by @jedikermit which are wonderful! #worldgeochat
A2: I've read V for Vendetta and Maus and was absolutely transfixed. Such fascinating stories that were able to transport me into their world #worldgeochat
A1 no longer teaching but used a number of graphic novels & picture books favorites Addicted to War the Odyssey the real story of the 3 little pigs #worldgeochat
A2 As I said in A1, I am currently reading two. I've read several others that I really liked. Max Brooks' Harlem Hellfighters and Howard Zinn's A People's History of American Empire spring to mind. #worldgeochat
A2: My experience is that it is priceless to use the comic value of the images pieced with the actual history and the images ACTUALLY replicating what really happened & making it aesthetically so interesting #worldgeochat
A1 YES .... by graphic novels I mean I have read comic books..... as a kid...... many moons ago,,,,, now I like picture books called atlases :) #worldgeochat
Tweeted this one too early a minute ago -- my first GN was Persepolis and i fell in love. Making a list of all your great recommendations for future reading.
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I own it, but haven't read it yet. I purchased a Kindle, and graphic novels are difficult to read on it. That will be my vacation reading #worldgeochat
A2 - Maus was my gateway, for sure. Then @goraina's books. I"m not a comics reader by nature, but as a T, I totally see their value in the skill to read multi-modal text. #worldgeochat
A2 I love graphic novels! The Korean Olympics were a great chance to revisit Pyongyang. It's 15 years old, but the North Korean cheerleaders at the Olympics make it so immediate. #worldgeochathttps://t.co/DYhUfRATAT
A2 -- If you've never read one, there is something to be said for format vs genre. If I've only seen romantic comedies, I might think I don't like movies; if you've only read superhero comics, you might think you don't like graphic novels. #WorldGeoChat
A2) I couldn’t begin to list all the graphic novels I’ve read. Some of my faves are V for Vendetta, Persepolis, Watchmen (I read it as a collected TPB 1st time), The Sandman Series by Neil Gaiman (didn’t read it until collected in a TPB) #worldgeochat
A2 -- If you've never read one, there is something to be said for format vs genre. If I've only seen romantic comedies, I might think I don't like movies; if you've only read superhero comics, you might think you don't like graphic novels. #WorldGeoChat
A2 If you think you may like nonfiction graphic novels, there are a lot to choose from... I wrote a quick overview on middle school nonfiction GNs for @edutopia last summer: https://t.co/kk2SwjhNFQ#worldgeochat
One of my favorites is called The Arrival. It has no words, only images and is about the immigrant experience. So magical. Love putting it in kids hands. I found it in a library and bought 5 for the classroom! #worldgeochat
A2 I also presented at the National Title I Conference last weekend on graphic novels, my handout with recs for social studies, ELA, and science is here: https://t.co/YjB1rWrs0l#WorldGeoChat
Have you read 'In the Shadow of No Towers'? It's a gorgeous companion piece, and a perfect history of comics, to boot. #worldgeochathttps://t.co/d4Cs8bkHuY
A big issue we have at our school--and probably the reason why Ss don't read graphic novels--is that a large part of their ELA grade is connected to taking reading tests on books in their lexile. So Ss are reading all the time, but it's just a perfunctory chore :( #worldgeochat
A2 In this, the 200th anniversary year of the publication of Frankenstein, a new GN was just published this week. Mary's Monster https://t.co/6BSUxNBR7h#worldgeochat
A3 I had my Sts read a graphic novel about the experience of people who live in Tsunami zones. I think it provided the individual perspective of those who have to live those disasters. I find a lot of value in that. #worldgeochat
A3: visual literacy is the added bonus to reading in graphic novels. Delineating between LITERAL and INFERENTIAL. So much to unpack. I do a whole 40 minute lesson on this one panel of Persepolis #worldgeochat
A3 - also, GNs require readers to take on 4 roles -- "navigator, interpreter, designer, interrogator" (article from https://t.co/FEct2qiY8n) #worldgeochat
A3: Wish I knew the source, but “Comic books are the gateway drug to literacy” They get Ss interested in reading & with so many great ones coming out, they also support curriculum content too! #worldgeochat
A2 -- If you've never read one, there is something to be said for format vs genre. If I've only seen romantic comedies, I might think I don't like movies; if you've only read superhero comics, you might think you don't like graphic novels. #WorldGeoChat
A3. Reading is reading we have lit circle sets of a variety of graphic novels at my school. Can still infer, make connection and read closely no matter the literary format #worldgeochat
A3:
Context clues that are visual can help frame tone/mood of scene that some students don't pick up on with dense language (Tolkien). Also stories can be told without language and are still understandable #worldgeochat
A3: It was actually reading @jedikermit Play Like A Pirate where I even got the idea to introduce/use/ read Graphic Novels...Thanks Quinn :) YOU'RE even IN the assignment! #worldgeochat
A3 GNs are a different vernacular—more abstract, more conversational. The format itself forces a different perspective/reading of concepts. #worldgeochat
A3: So many people think graphic novels are easier, but these books are more of a challenge and give students an opportunity to think deeper. #worldgeochat
Absolutely! And that is why I love giving comic strips and graphic novels as assignments--it involves understanding the content, storytelling, and more. It's a great way to assess student learning! #worldgeochat
Graphic Novels DEF make you think more, because you actually SEE the text & context together and have to determine "what" you see & how you read it. You have to decipher alllllll the messages in each image on the page paired with the text #worldgeochat
A2 Too many to count. Very engaging, great for exposure to multiple literacies, & multiple ways of reading/investigating a topic. Also, the 9/11 Commission Report Graphic Novel did a much better job of keeping me awake than its 600 page book counterpart #worldgeochat
A3: It was actually reading @jedikermit Play Like A Pirate where I even got the idea to introduce/use/ read Graphic Novels...Thanks Quinn :) YOU'RE even IN the assignment! #worldgeochat
A3:
Context clues that are visual can help frame tone/mood of scene that some students don't pick up on with dense language (Tolkien). Also stories can be told without language and are still understandable #worldgeochat
A3 a S may be drawn to a graphic novel that then sparks curiosity to "read"more! Also can mix the medias including podcasts,video & viola all feel connected (or that's the hope) #worldgeochat
A4: essentially graphic novels themselves fit into the idea of "geo concepts" bc of pop culture, but many graphic novels can be used to address govt. systems, movement, culture, etc... #worldgeochat
A4: Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales offer some decent maps to help give a sense of place in history. Also Gettysburg: A Graphic History provides good military-style maps for visuals too #worldgeochat
A4: I think the Geography is both physical & human in GN's. In "March", you have to understand the history of the Civil Rights Movement, understand the Geography & Culture of the South, & then it takes you to a new understanding of socioeconomic and polt status #worldgeochat
A4
Another book I only learned about from @jedikermit was Pyongyang - I need to dig that one out with so much North Korea talk right now!
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A4: The Arrival by Shaun Tan has already been mentioned several times -- I can't think of many better ways to teach historic and modern immigration factors than that book. #WorldGeoChat
A4 There are many graphic novel travelogues that explore different concepts of culture, government, religion, and how we interact with all of it. Guy DeLisle has several great ones: https://t.co/B8S7KvtkV5#worldgeochat
A4: essentially graphic novels themselves fit into the idea of "geo concepts" bc of pop culture, but many graphic novels can be used to address govt. systems, movement, culture, etc... #worldgeochat
A4: I like how a lot of the GN's that are nonfiction include maps in the book before you read it & then reevaluate those maps as the story goes on. i.e --> https://t.co/p653vswe5T#worldgeochat
A4 - I remember reading Calvin & Hobbes comic books through most of 3rd - 5th grade...and wondering why a 6yo is having deep thoughts about the world, the environment, wars, politics... #worldgeochat
A4 There are many graphic novel travelogues that explore different concepts of culture, government, religion, and how we interact with all of it. Guy DeLisle has several great ones: https://t.co/B8S7KvtkV5#worldgeochat
A4b: This volume of Ms. Marvel has *hands down* a few of my favorite panels of all time re: civic participation. So inspiring. @GWillowWilson#worldgeochat
A4 Most (if not all) graphic novels can be tied to geography. Take Black Panther (movie yes but also in graphic novels). The location of Wakanda while fictional draws upon the region in and around Uganda in East Africa. Looking for similarities in name w/students? #worldgeochat
A5: In the DC universe, it's Batman & in Marvel, it's the Hulk ... I always reference the Hulk when discussing behavior management ("You don't want to see me when I get mad!") #worldgeochat
A5: Hands down, Wonder Woman is my favorite superhero. She has become more of a feminist icon as time goes by, but she is strong, independent, and fights with her heart and mind. Such a powerful role model for boys and girls alike #worldgeochat
Sure thing. One time I used I Team by @D_MacPherson to do this. He took characters from all over the globe. I had students track down where characters came from, add in info about city, put in pictures and other data. #worldgeochat
A4 New Frontier has breathtaking Darwyn Cooke art, 1950s imperialism in Indochina, the efficacy of superheroes, and did I mention that art? #worldgeochathttps://t.co/PeeWl9QW90
A5: Tough question! I’m a big X-Men fan, so I think they help emphasize the importance of character, rather than appearance. I also like the reboot of Wonder Woman & Mz. Marvel to help empower female Ss. #worldgeochat
A5
Captain America. Especially after I saw the movie and understood the historical side of his story.
How could he inspire? I fear that Capt. America could become a symbol of nationalism...
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A5 I have come to intensely dislike Superheroes. They imply simple (often violent) answers to complex questions, and lead people to believe they exist in real life. To so many in Nazi Germany, Hitler was a superhero. It didn't end well. #worldgeochat
A5 Grew up watching the X Men cartoons every morning. Loved the variety of powers and backgrounds... and had sort of a crush on Jean Grey. #worldgeochat
A5 #worldgeochat
I'm a big fan of Colossus in X-Men. He is a gentle giant who strives to do the honest, moral thing.
Then again, I LOVE Wolverine (wearing a Wolverine shirt right now). He tries to do the right thing but often messes up relationships. He's very 'human' that way
A5: Hands down, Wonder Woman is my favorite superhero. She has become more of a feminist icon as time goes by, but she is strong, independent, and fights with her heart and mind. Such a powerful role model for boys and girls alike #worldgeochat
I definitely get that. There have been some great books that delve into that; can they be "superheroes" if they're also fascists? There are other heroes out there too, but rarely the kind of heroism we'd like to see in our real world. #WorldGeoChat
A5 (cont.) I've listened to interviews with many Trump supporters over the past year. They often speak of Trump in superhero terms. That definitely will not end well. #worldgeochat
A5) the more I learn about Black Panther and his history the more I like him. But I’ve always been a huge DC fan of Batman and the Flash. #worldgeochat
A5 Although LOVE graphic novels, never huge superhero guy. But fave is Wonder Woman. As dad of 10 y/o girl love the female empowerment. Als, like civil rights analogies to X-Men & Black Panther. Time for us white males to move over & let others have relatable heroes #worldgeochat
A6: mapping their travels around the world or across universes ... also they bring about questions re: government, economics & immigration! #worldgeochat
A5
Captain America (but really like Agent Carter)
Green Lantern
Wonder Woman (going back to the early 70s)
my real superheroes are those that show up everyday & be the best they can be!
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A6
I'm kicking myself for not taking pictures, but my Ss made Global Goal Superheroes (thanks @jedikermit for the template).
So much insight from 7th graders!
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A6: Certainly Aquaman with an emphasis on environmentalism has a lot of geographic impact. Black Panther can also help address issues of imperialism & how we view other nations. #worldgeochat
A6: thoughts of how the environment help shape them and the society they are in immediately come to mind. Ss would love to think about geography in these terms 🙌#worldgeochat
A6:there has definitely been a mindful push lately (in superhero movies at least) to represent the underrepresented (POC, women) which is reflective of mainstream culture. Would love to investigate superheroes from different cultures/regions of the world w/students #worldgeochat
Hey chris didn't you discuss before having students create superheroes around the global goals? #worldgeochat this has stuck out fir me as i hope to update my superhero uniy to add this twist
A5 (cont.) I also remember when Arnold Schwarzenegger ran for and was elected Governor of CA. His campaign portrayed him as a superhero, as did his rhetoric, especially in his first days as governor. Except for climate change legislation, he was a failure. #worldgeochat
A5 (cont.) I also remember when Arnold Schwarzenegger ran for and was elected Governor of CA. His campaign portrayed him as a superhero, as did his rhetoric, especially in his first days as governor. Except for climate change legislation, he was a failure. #worldgeochat
Hey chris didn't you discuss before having students create superheroes around the global goals? #worldgeochat this has stuck out fir me as i hope to update my superhero uniy to add this twist
Q6 - Students start working on their Sustainable Development Goal superheros tomorrow. Nod to @jedikermit for the idea in Play Like a Pirate. #worldgeochat
A6 #worldgeochat
Why does Superman build his fortress of solitude in the Arctic?
How does Vibranium (resource) transform Wakanda & 'buck the trend' of colonialism in Africa?
Are superheroes like Batman just vigilantes?
What is the role of gov't & law (X-Men Days of Future Past)
Even I (who love superheroes) am exhausted by all of the fighting. I'd much rather see a two hour conversation with those same characters. #WorldGeoChat
it's pretty awesome to see how he took the concept of Islam & created superheroes out it ...
he ties in history, religion & ethical points into a whole series
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A6) you could compare and contrast cities like Metropolis and Gotham to real cities in the US. X-men is perfect when talking discrimination #worldgeochat
The hard part with using graphic novels is that as an educator I'd want to use a diverse selection of ethnicities, genders, religions as class examples but the students would only be drawn to the well known ones (at first) #worldgeochat
A7 - We like to read about people like ourselves, so for under represented groups, gives them a connection to literature encouraging more reading #worldgeochat
A7
I think it reenforces the idea that ANYONE could be a superhero. We've come a long way from having white men as the only heroes. However, there is SOOOOO much more work to do - more women, more people of color, more DIVERSITY! #worldgeochat
A7: Ss need to see themselves in both curriculum & literature. Stereotypical portrayals only serve to alienate readers, so anytime we can offer characters who look like our Ss can help them engage with our lessons & empower their creativity & interest. #worldgeochat
So framing some of these questions around the more 'popular' examples at 1st is a great way to spark more questions to lead them down the path of discovery of new/better graphic novels #worldgeochat
A7: it helps Ss see themselves in the heroes that they read about ... many of my Ss are Mex-Am & really benefit from seeing characters like Miss America/America Chavez
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A7: We all have our own traits that make us who we are. It doesn't matter where you come from, what religion you practice, etc. You have power, you have a voice, and you can make a difference #worldgeochat
Q7 I think it begs to be said that average individuals have the ability to be heroes. You don't necessarily need to be 'super-human' in order to make a big different. #worldgeochat
A7 How do multicultual superheroes and superheroines differ from the various gods of ancient (and not so ancient) cultures that led their peoples into battles with each other? Also, remember that in both 20th century world wars, all sides had support from God. #worldgeochat
Even then, the world of superheroes isn't as lily-white as it was when we were kids. Ms. Marvel, Spider-Man (Miles Morales), Gotham Academy, We Are Robin -- the well-known characters and situations are more diverse now than ever. #WorldGeoChat
Luckily we do have some examples but not many. I do like what Marvel and DC have been doing with their characters and adding more diversity. That helps out a lot. #worldgeochat
Excellent point! It's been great to see Marvel and DC get on board over the past 10(ish) years with characters that represent all of us, not just some of us #worldgeochat Miles Morales FTW
A7: Students finally begin to see that geography isn't just mountains, rivers and deserts. It's about the people and how they shape the world. Seeing the superhero within themselves means they can see what power and what opportunities to shape their world #worldgeochat
Yes! New/better graphic novel, or other cultural artifact, or historic character. One of my favorite recent discussions was a comparison of Steve Rogers and George Bailey (It's a Wonderful Life). Hm. #worldgeochat
A7: Students finally begin to see that geography isn't just mountains, rivers and deserts. It's about the people and how they shape the world. Seeing the superhero within themselves means they can see what power and what opportunities to shape their world #worldgeochat
THANK YOU ALL for amazing us with such an butt-kicking chat! Thank you to @jedikermit for guest moderating tonight! Check us out next week when we are joined by @coachk and @scubagirl812 to release their new book, "Bring the World to Your Classroom!" #worldgeochat
