Awkward by Svetlana Chmakova novel study lessons, CLICK HERE on TpT.
Awkward by Svetlana Chmakova, written and illustrated by Svetlana Chmakova, is an award-winning graphic novel about the struggles of adolescence. This book is perfect for any middle school or high school English class. It provides educators with a unique way to engage students and help them learn about the complexities of growing up. Here are some tips on how to teach this graphic novel in your classroom.
Integrate Visual Learning
Graphic novels are an excellent way to introduce visual learning into the classroom. By utilizing visuals, educators can provide students with an engaging and interactive learning experience that helps them better understand the text. Incorporating visuals into your lessons will help students better comprehend the material and make connections between images and written words. For example, you can have your students analyze illustrations in order to identify character traits or draw parallels between illustrations and specific moments in the story.
Explore Different Perspectives
Because Awkward focuses on different characters’ experiences at different times throughout their lives, it’s important for educators to emphasize how characters’ perspectives change over time. Ask questions like: why does this character feel this way? How have his/her perspectives changed since we first met him/her? Encouraging conversations about these types of topics will help students gain a deeper understanding of characters’ motivations and feelings as well as spark discussions around themes like identity, acceptance, bullying, friendship, etc.
Group Projects & Discussion Questions
Having students work together on projects related to Awkward by Svetlana Chmakova is a great way to get them thinking critically about the text while also allowing them to form connections with their peers. You can assign group projects such as creating original artwork inspired by certain scenes from the book or writing journal entries from one of the characters’ perspectives. Additionally, provide discussion questions that encourage students to think deeply about what they’ve read and share their insights with others in the class using platform tools like Padlet or Flipgrid.
The Power of Visuals
Graphic novels offer a unique combination of visuals and text. They are often easier for students to understand because they break down complex ideas into simpler, more visual representations. For example, in Awkward, we see Penelope’s emotional turmoil portrayed in images—such as her being stuck between two conflicting worlds—as well as dialogue bubbles that help illustrate her inner thoughts and feelings. The combination of visuals and text make the story more accessible for readers, allowing them to more easily connect with the characters and themes of the novel.
Reading Comprehension Strategies
When teaching any form of literature, it is important to provide students with reading comprehension strategies that will help them better understand what they are reading. One strategy that works particularly well with graphic novels is using character analysis questions. For instance, when discussing Awkward by Svetlana Chmakova, teachers could ask their students questions such as: How does Penelope feel about herself? How do other character’s view Penelope? What kind of relationships does she have with those around her? Answering these types of questions can help students better comprehend what is going on in the story and draw connections between their own lives and those of the characters in the novel.
Open Ended Discussion Questions
One way to get your students excited about reading is by introducing open ended discussion questions into your lesson plans. Open ended questions allow for critical thinking skills to be developed as students formulate answers based on their individual experiences rather than just regurgitating facts from a textbook or lecture notes. For instance, after reading Awkward together as a class, you could ask your students “How has Penelope changed since the beginning of the book?” or “What do you think will happen next?” These types of discussion topics encourage students to think outside the box and engage more deeply with the material that they are studying.
Themes
One of the best ways to teach Awkward by Svetlana Chmakova is to focus on its themes. Themes like bullying, self-discovery, and friendship can be explored through discussion and activities. Encourage your students to think critically about these topics and how they apply to their own lives. You can also assign projects or essay topics that relate back to these themes. For example, you could ask your students to write an essay about the different types of bullying they have seen or experienced themselves.
CLICK HERE for the Digital Course Above.
Characters
Another great way to explore Awkward is by discussing the characters in the story. Ask your students which character they most identify with and why? Ask them what traits each character has that make them unique? What do they think motivates each character? Discussing characters’ motivations will help your students understand their behavior better, as well as give them an opportunity to practice empathy for people who are different from them.
Graphic Novel Format
It’s also important to talk about the graphic novel format itself when teaching Awkward. Ask your students what makes this format so effective for telling stories? What advantages does it have over traditional novel formats? Have them draw connections between art and storytelling by analyzing how the artwork conveys emotion or expresses ideas not explicitly stated in the text. This will help them understand how visuals can be used as a storytelling tool beyond just illustrating words on a page.
Awkward is a powerful tool for engaging learners in discussions around important issues such as identity and bullying while also providing an opportunity for teachers to integrate visuals into their lessons plans. Educators should use this book as an opportunity to explore different perspectives and create activities that allow students to build meaningful connections with each other through shared experiences related to growing up and navigating adolescence. With thoughtful planning and facilitation, Awkward can be used as a catalyst for meaningful conversations among your students that will last far beyond the classroom walls!
Leave a Reply