Teacher guides from Tim Smyth
The Hidden Dominion of Geordie James by Mike Dawson. “This book will make kids WANT to read. A powerful story that connects gaming and real-life, with vital lessons for us all. Fans of video gaming, especially Minecraft and Ready Player One, will see themselves in this story. The power of family, teamwork, and coming together to care about the planet, and one another. Artwork that takes full advantage of the comics medium – close reading skills are developed as students make meaning from the powerful panels – full of mystery, emotion, and depth. A perfect addition to classrooms and libraries.” – Tim Smyth.
Teacher guide - https://docs.google.com/document/d/12fNluM1FJQXzBmwF196WofgaW9JWjOUE/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=106404336286912298554&rtpof=true&sd=true
https://www.mackidsschoolandlibrary.com/teachers-guide-speak-the-graphic-novel/ - Laurie Halse Anderson’s Speak graphic novel adaptation
Dr. Seuss Cat Out of Water graphic novel https://assetbucketpublic.7169.prh.com/9780/593/703/038/sales-assets/9780593703038_Cat%20Out%20of%20Water%20Educators%20Guide.pdf
https://www.scholastic.com/content/dam/scholastic/educators/discussion-guides/hey-kiddo-sunshine-guide.pdf - Jarrett Krosoczka’s Hey, Kiddo and Sunshine.
https://www.mackidsschoolandlibrary.com/teachers-guide-speak-the-graphic-novel/ - educator guide for the graphic novel adaptation of Speak
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/classroom/lesson-plans/2024/09/lesson-plan-teaching-9-11-through-comics - PBS lesson on 9/11 and Amazing Spider-Man #36
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/classroom/lesson-plans/2025/05/lesson-plan-american-democracy-and-you - PBS lesson on US government
https://www.abramsbooks.com/pdfs/resources/We_Are_Not_Strangers_Guide_B.pdf - We Are Not Strangers - Japanese-American Internment Camps
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1eIqnPLVpBat4s5yNWsfVmUkqQV_QoefNNhVLogZbTO4/edit?usp=sharing - La Voz de M.A.Y.O.by Henry Barajas
War of the Worlds, Totalitarianism, and Media Literacy https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-S2rVr3V3HNjhsuhOEghSp-V7MhcBPA52E8tlJI83x8/edit?usp=sharing
US State Department lesson - creating a national superhero - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1kjndr4WOhiZScLnzSbfTCoBSakS1Ztd-qQhetMG7qMM/edit?usp=sharing
https://historycomics.edublogs.org/2014/11/06/fairytales-as-artifacts/ - Modern Fairytale lesson
https://ufdc.ufl.edu/UF00086056/00001/1j - ABCs for Baby Patriots - British picture book on imperialism
https://historycomics.edublogs.org/2016/04/24/history-superheroes/ - making historical figures into superhero lesson and templates
Comics Resources
https://jarrettlerner.com/activities/ - Jarrett Lerner website - creating and finishing comics
https://t.co/Yl1l8blca9 - Smithsonian link - teaching Japanese-American incarceration camps. Complete mini comics and lesson ideas. Also information having students create their own comics, for any lesson, form one piece of paper.
https://americanenglish.state.gov/resources/teaching-comics-and-graphic-novels?fbclid=IwAR1s-jd0P3gVqMufQTiiWVqPMuSnCyu4k-lfhp6GJjvhUu17wyB3muU3h0k#child-2639 - US State Department resources for an online comics creation course. HUGE list of resources and comics examples from around the world - students creating national superheroes and solving problems. Excellent examples to show different ways to make comics - hand drawing, pictures, PowerPoint, Pixton, and more.
https://www.learningforjustice.org/magazine/spring-2015/martin-luther-king-and-the-montgomery-story - MLK, Jr. and the Montgomery Story comic - also has resources for educators.
https://abcnews.go.com/International/fullpage/madaya-mom-42363064 - Madaya Mom from Marvel Comics and ABC News - based on texts from a mother in Madaya, Sryia during the conflict.
Graphic Novel/Comics reviews and lists -
https://www.ala.org/rt/gncrt/awards/best-graphic-novels-reading-lists - American Library Association best comics reading list
https://www.ala.org/yalsa/great-graphic-novels - HUGE listing of graphic novels for teens from the American Library Association
https://mangainlibraries.com/ - huge resource for Manga
https://www.graphiclibrary.org/ - great comics resource for comics in schools
https://imaginationsoup.net/the-best-graphic-novels-for-kids/ - large listing of graphic novels and some educator tips as well.
https://childhood101.com/comic-books-graphic-novels/ - list organized by age level for younger readers
https://noflyingnotights.com/ - lists and reviews - many by students.
“graphic novels books for kids” - good search thread for Amazon
SOME ARTICLES FROM TIM SMYTH -
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/education/column-bringing-comics-classroom-made-love-teaching
