Sunday, August 30, 2015

DigiLit Sunday - The Yarn

 
 

      I love that Margaret Simon has started a Sunday Link Up for posts about digital literacy at her blog to challenge us to share our technology journeys.
 


     I've been hearing a lot lately about a podcast series called The Yarn, and since it was about books and recorded by Colby Sharp and Travis Jonker, two of my favorite kid lit enthusiasts, promoters, and experts, I figured I better check it out!  I've been listening nonstop to catch up on the first season.  Wow!  Who knew that a graphic novel requires an army of incredibly talented artists/ entrepreneurs/editors/writers/colorists/designers/etc. to put it together?! After listening to all eight podcasts, you will get an excellent picture of what it took to make the graphic novel Sunny Side Up by Jennifer and Matthew Holm, the brother/sister dynamic duo who brought you Babymouse and Squish.
 
 
 
 
     I CAN'T WAIT to read the book now, and I can't wait to share the podcasts with my students.  I have one student in particular who LOVES comics and drawing comics who I want to share them with, but also all the kids who did a brilliant job writing their graphic memoirs after reading Smile, Sisters, El Deafo, and The Dumbest Idea Ever.  You saw them on one of my blog posts - if you missed it, then you can read them here.  Maybe we could even make our OWN podcasts of interviews with those kids to hear about their creative processes and what inspired them about reading other graphic memoirs.  The possibilities of how to use The Yarn Season One series in the classroom are endless!
 
     Don't wait!  Download them NOW - they're free!! 
 
Learn more about each episode and little bonus stories:
 
     When you listen to the whole series, you're going to want to hear more (I do!), so head to Kickstarter to help fund the next season(s)!


     And a little graphic novel discussion bonus....

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

5 comments:

  1. My students love graphic novels. I subscribed to the podcast when I saw it on Mary Lee's site. I am not such a fan, so I am looking to you to guide how I use them with my students. Graphic memoirs is a great idea. What options do you give the students if they do not like to draw? Perhaps some fo the comic making apps? Do you have a favorite? Thanks for linking up today.

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    1. You're not a fan of graphic novels or The Yarn? When we did memoirs in my classroom, we first read several formats - narrative, verse, and graphic. Then I gave kids a choice to write their own memoirs using any format. Only 3 or 4 kids chose graphic memoirs, but they did an amazing job! David Etkin asked about comic apps right away. I haven't experimented with any, but I'm sure they're out there and are fun. I think the kids who are drawn to writing them (no pun intended ;-)) do have some artistic talent with comics drawing. The podcasts show that, too. I'm not sure an app would be something students would love or use effectively if they don't already love to draw comics by hand. I would never have a whole class write a graphic story. I would only propose it as an option. It's not a medium for everybody!

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  2. Thanks so much for this information. I'm getting better with graphic novels. I enjoyed Drama and El Deafo. But I'm still not there yet. Here's a link to adult graphic novels. http://www.abebooks.com/books/features/50-essential-graphic-novels.shtml Perhaps that would get me closer to my kids in this medium!

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  3. I've heard most of these, Holly, & they will be fun to share with students, & inspiration for creating, too. I just got the graphic novel about Katrina (Drowned City) from the library, am looking forward to reading it.

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  4. Thank you for listening, sharing, and supporting The Yarn - we appreciate it!
    -Scope Notes

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