Jump Into a Graphic Novel! Lesson Plan

1. Preview the Issue

Provide students with some background on authors.

Build background knowledge (10 min.)

Watch our video “Jumping Into Action with Dan Santat.” After children have finished watching the video, discuss the following question:

  • What is one thing you learned about graphic novels?

2. Read the Issue

Set a purpose for reading (5 min.)

  • Pass out the issue and discuss the cover. Have any students read a graphic novel?
  • Next read the As You Read prompt on page 2: “Think about the steps Dan takes to make his books.” Encourage children to think about this prompt as they read.

Read together (20 min.)

Pass out the Read and Think printable. Use it to check comprehension as you read the issue together, pausing to ask the questions. 

Review vocabulary (3 min.)

Next, play the online vocabulary slideshow. This issue’s featured words are graphic novels, outline, dialogue, sketches, and series. 

Assessment: Reading Quiz

Pass out the Reading Quiz to review key concepts from the issue and assess students’ proficiency on key nonfiction reading skills.

Shook’s Books

Sidekicks by Dan Santat (20 min.)

What happens when superheroes get older? They need a little help! One superhero has four house pets who all want to be his sidekick so they can spend more time with him. This fun graphic novel will be the first in a series. Students will love following the pets as they vie for the special position!

3. Play the Online Game

4. Focus on ELA Skills

You can use our printable worksheets to focus on important ELA skills. Here’s how.

ELA Focus: Vocabulary (15 min.)

  • Use the Word Work skill sheet to deepen students’ understanding of the terms graphic novel, outline, dialogue, sketch, and series.

Editor’s Pick: Writing (15 min.)

  • Students create their own mini graphic novel with the Tell a Superhero Story skill sheet. The prompts allow students to make a plan before the drawing and storytelling begin!

ELA Focus: Text Features (15 min.)

  • Use the Graphic Novel Feature Hunt skill sheet to have students analyze one of Dan Santat’s books or any graphic novel they find in their school library.

Attention, Graphic Novel Lovers!

Advanced and mature readers who can’t get enough of graphic novels will enjoy Dan Santat’s The Aquanaut. Full of adventure and humor, this book also covers the loss of a loved one. It will make students laugh, it will pull at their heartstrings, and it will help develop their love of reading!

From the Archive

Here are two past issues you can use to extend your lesson on authors:

  • “Making Book Magic,” March 2024. Students will discover how fantasy author Tracey West makes her books come to life.
  • “Meet Christian Robinson!,” March 2021. This article follows illustrator Christian Robinson’s process of telling stories through pictures.

Differentiation Station

You can find a higher-Lexile-level and a lower-Lexile-level version of the article online here:

  • Higher-Lexile level: 590L
  • Lower-Lexile level: 470L