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IN FOCUS // Graphic Biographies

Kathy Hays

The history of the world is an immensely large topic that crosses vast amounts of time and territory. By contrast, a human being is much smaller and exists for a much shorter time, therefore fitting into the historical narrative on a much smaller scale. How do we make sure to include the human experience into the greater world history narrative? Well, here at OER Project, many of our graphic biographies present narratives from the perspective of underrepresented/marginalized individuals – many you may have never heard of. This month, our focus is on graphic biographies and the tools available to help students understand the impact of historical events on people just like themselves.   

Graphic biographies are one-page histories of individuals that are woven in and out of the global themes of their era. They often highlight the larger scale developments students are studying, and sometimes provide perspectives from opposing sides. Incorporating the Three Close Reads for Graphic Biographies, will help students improve their skills at using these illustrated stories of individuals to support, extend and challenge the narratives they encounter throughout the course. There are guiding questions to help students fit the human experiences into the broader historical narrative. 

This year, the OER Project introduced the 3CR for Graphic Biographies tool that invites students to become co-creators as they observe, understand and connect.  

There’s also a new Introductory Activity in which OER Project superhero Trevor Getz walks students through the step-by-step process of reading a graphic biography. Incorporating these new tools with Three Close Reads for Graphic Biographies, will help students improve their skills at using these illustrated stories of individuals they encounter throughout the course.   

Check out the complete list of the WHP Graphic Biographies and BHP Graphic Biographies, as well as this Graphic Histories page to access lessons and other materials you can use today!

If you are interested in learning more about using the graphic biographies tools in your classroom, be sure to join the OER Project Skills Clinic: Graphic Biographies and Three Close Reads on February 13 from 3:00 – 4:30 PM PDT, then participate in the OER Project Presents: Beyond the Panels with Walter Greason, Trevor Getz, Stephanie Manuel, Tessa Hulls and Argha Manna on February 29 from 4:00 – 5:30 PM PDT. All attendees will be eligible to win graphic history books created by our very own presenters! 

 Our questions for you this month are:    

  • Which OER Project graphic biography is your favorite? 
  • How do you incorporate it into your instruction?
  • What questions do you have about using the new graphic biography tools with your students? 

Share your questions and comments below. Every person who participates in this month’s IN FOCUS conversation will be put in a drawing for a pack of our brand-new graphic biographies posters! Five poster packs will be given away this month. We look forward to learning from you!    

  • I got the email about the graphic biographies when I got into work and was struggling with a lesson for my 6th graders about writing a claim and teaching Ancient Civilization Social Structure. I stumbled upon the Ibn Khaldun comic and it was perfect. The kids enjoyed reading the comic and then discussing the idea of Human social organization is something necessary. It blended in perfectly with our lesson on social structure and why they developed in the ancient world and the class was excited to write their argument to have a debate on the topic later.

  • in reply to Cady Burstein

    Thanks for sharing,  .  I will check this out for my 9th graders for next year!

  • What is appealing to me as a teacher for an activity like this is the different levels the students can address in the creation of the project.  It seems to allow students to grasp the big idea concept of the time era or topic, but also allow for the personalized view - including the view not always represented in the textbook - of the marginalized groups.  I'm thinking of the example with war - men made up the main part of the fighting forces - but the comment that women worked in the factories and behind the scene.  Both of these can be represented in this format.  It can also work well for student who are not strong writers, but have good ideas.  And for non-native speakers who can use art/pictures/graphics to express comprehension rather than by answering a multiple choice question or written response.  

  • As many have posted, there are so many great options to pick from.  My students have found the graphic bios to be accessible and as the instructor I noticed that the bios level the playing field for a wide skill level regarding student reading levels.  I always use the Zheng He option and the bio of Ottilie Baader for Women's History month.

  • It's such a coincidence opening this email shortly after completing an activity where we introduced the time period by previewing historical figures of that era. They were NOT the old standard figures we've grown accustomed to seeing and reading about in history class. Thank you very much for this resource! It has been a great addition to my lessons and the kids are really engaged, including my struggling readers. I also appreciate the tips and tools you provide to help me teach history via these graphic biographies. It's refreshed my lesson plans.

  • in reply to Tanya Insanally

     I am intrigued! Would you mind saying more about your time period introductory activity?

  • in reply to Tanya Insanally

    Steve Krashen wrote about this phenomenon many years ago, he called it a window on reading. Don't let anyone dissuade you!   www.sdkrashen.com/.../comicbook.pdf

  • I'm currently planning a brand new World History course for next year and I'm looking for ways to engage learners in different ways other than just talking at them, showing them videos, and reading articles. They're also great for differentiation!

  • Thank you to everyone for your participation in this month's conversation on using graphic biographies. It was so much fun learning from you. Congratulations to the following community members for winning the OER Project Graphic Biographies Poster Pack! Your names were randomly drawn from all the participants this month. Please check your inbox for an email so we can send you the poster packs.