Professional Development

Writing is a valuable learning tool that can quite effectively help students learn and understand science content. In Strategies for Writing in the Science Classroom, author Kathleen Kopp uses step-by-step directions, rubrics, student examples, templates, technology tips, and ideas for differentiation to go beyond journals or reports to show how science teachers can use writing to develop critical-thinking skills, improve understanding of scientific concepts, assess students’ progress, and hone skills in content-area writing. Her writing strategies support the Common Core Standards and science teachers can easily incorporate these strategies in any unit of study. This comprehensive resource makes it easy to incorporate writing in your science class.

Strategies for Writing in the Science Classroom book cover

The Classroom-Friendly Purpose Behind Graphic Novel Panels

How can educators apply graphic novels to both Language Arts and Science classroom teaching and learning? Using traditional elements of story, our Graphic Science books take the graphic novel concept further by explaining concepts of science. Each book introduces science concepts and explores them through the use of graphics that engage students’ thinking as they access the content.

There are 11 types of graphic novels panels and each can be aligned to the traditional elements of story mentioned in the Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts:

 Traditional Story Element  Graphic Novel Panels
 Plot  Main idea that drives the story from beginning to end
 Character  One or more of the characters and their individual traits
 Setting  Where the story takes place
 Conflict  Primary tension in the story
 Rising Action  The building tension in the story
 Climax  The pinnacle moment in the story—the moment when all the building tension hits its highest point
 Resolution  Resolving the tension and its ultimate climax
 Foreshadowing  Allude to or hint at future events/situations in the story
 Theme  Core, foundational ideas, or lessons found in the story
 Symbol  Contains images that remind readers of significant situations, people, or events in the story
 Combination Story  Overlaps two or more of the above graphic novel elements of story panels into one panel