Graphic, Comic, & Humor Books

Instructional Tips

• Spark interest: Make reading fun for motivated, striving, and reluctant readers with different text formats.
• Consider the resource: Plan for instruction based on the following recommendations.
  • Use Graphic Books in these ways:
    • Pair Graphic Books with Learning A-Z nonfiction books to make connections across texts on similar topics.
    • Introduce or expand on topics using the Cross-Text Lessons.
    • Implement in whole-group, small-group, and/or independent reading.
  • Use Comic and Humor Books in these ways:
    • Expose readers to text features such as speech bubbles and tightly connected pictures and text.
    • Introduce jokes, riddles, cartoons, and structured forms of humor, including wordplay, situational humor, physical humor, and character humor.
    • Inspire students to write their own jokes and riddles with the wordless versions of Comic and Humor Books.
  • Use Comic Books in these ways:
    • Highlight familiar characters from Learning A-Z books, such as The Monsters.
    • Reinforce left-to-right print tracking.
    • Introduce dialogue.
  • Use Humor Books in these ways:
    • Support making inferences.
    • Discuss the author's purpose.
    • Build problem-solving skills.
    • Enhance understanding of language rules.