Third Graders Publish Their Own Comics

My friend and fellow educator, Scott Tingley, has helped his third graders set up their own website (Riverside Reads) to publish their works of art and literature, including comics. It’s a great idea, of course, and teachers across the world are embracing technology as a way to engage children and teens in their own education. Some drivel about students taking ownership of their education. Imagine!

The coolest part is that the students will be focusing on creating their own, original pieces of art and literature, including comic literature, as well as reviewing current titles. I love it and cannot wait to rip it for my future classroom. It is an accepted practice among teachers to beg, borrow and steal from one another in order to secure the proper education of our youth. I am currently working on my eMINTS certification, which allows me to teach technology-based elementary classrooms.

In his funding application, Tingley wrote:

“Differentiation is the cornerstone of positive interventions for all students. Literacy skills will be improved by participation in writing and publishing projects - a class web page in which books, comics, stories and book reviews generated by students will be published, thus adding authenticity to the writing, as well as excitement. A unit creating graphic novels will enhance publication. Students will exchange graphic novels with students around the world, highlighting their community, their province and themselves.” (Tingley teaches in Canada.)

We will certainly be keeping a close eye on the project and wish Tingley and his third graders much success.