"Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood" by Marjane Satrapi

Me in my Hogwarts shirt with Ms. Satrapi's book.

THE BOOK:

"Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood", by the amazingly talented Marjane Satrapi, chronicles Strapi's middle childhood as an Iranian girl growing up in the 70s and 80s. Her personal tales of her family's involvement in the revolution (her grandpa was prime minister), and her reflections on growing up under the Shah and the Ayatollah. This memoir has everything to do with our young people as it deals with a loss of innocence, religion, family, youthful rebellion, and revolution. It is nothing short of fantastic.

USE THE BOOK:

This book is one of the most compelling graphic memoirs, and is in my top ten books to use with high school students. Because of the language and content, this book is only for high school students on up. With that said, it is a fabulous book with many applications. Here is just one of them:

Graphic Memoir with Historic Spin-

We are all surrounded by the makings of history. Often we observe it from afar, but at times the stuff that will be written down in history books will seep into our lives. This lesson asks students to think about a historic situation they lived through that had a personal impact on their lives. Here is the lesson:

Grade Levels: 9, 10, 11, 12

Materials Needed:

Computer for research

3" x 5" index cards (5 per student)

Drawing paper

Markers, pens, and pencils

1.     After reading Persepolis, talk about how Satrapi was able to weave in the story of a nation and the story of her life. Have students find evidence for both interwoven storylines.

2.     Now share the prompt for this creative assignment with the class:

Construct a 3-page graphic novel-styled memoir about you and an historic event that had a significant impact on you. Each student may choose his/her own method for constructing their art: draw it; get magazine or online collage pictures; or even recreate the scenes with photography.

3.     At this point, we spend time doing a brief overview of modern history, especially events that may have touched close to home. I basically spend twenty minutes highlighting two or three main events from the past 15 years. Some events include: The invasion of Iraq, Hurricane Katrina, Obama is elected, the Great Recession, legalization of gay marriage, etc.

4.     I then have the kids answer the questions below. This may be assigned as homework:

a.     What significant events have happened during my lifetime in world events? List at least three.

b.     Now circle the event you plan on writing about. That event took place in the year _______________.

c.      During that time I was _________ years old.

d.     I lived here: ________________________________.

e.     My favorite food was _____________________.

f.      My favorite activity/game was __________.

g.     I liked this type of music _________________.

5.     The questionnaire is VERY important, as kids will get a chance to think back to that time. All students need this data to make a well-rounded memoir. 

6.   I then have the students copy their questionnaire data onto a 3” x 5” index card as  a system for recording and storing data. I use this system detailed by another blogger.

7.     After they have copied their data, have them now research their "historic event" on the Internet.  For instance, if I was to construct a graphic memoir on 9/11, one of my sources would be this link. All students will need three sources that describe that significant event. Significant facts should be copied onto 3” x 5” index cards using the above mentioned system; each student should have one index card per source.

8.     After collecting the data, the student will need to interview one other person who was either with them during that time (a parent, sibling, or teacher) or a person who also remembers that event, anyone alive during that time—not necessarily someone who was “with” that student. (Remember, some kids no longer live with their families from that time.) Significant facts should be copied onto a 3 x 5” index card.

A page on "smuggling" from the memoir.

9.      The student should have 5 index cards of data—1 with personal information, 3 with information on the event, and 1 with an interview from a person who was alive during that time.

10. With that data in hand, share a comic book template like these from Google Images. Have the students plan how they will organize their information into a minimum of 3 pages; they need to include one bit of information from each source.

11. I have my students write out a mock up “storyboard” with words only. Use Satrapi’s book to talk about the balance of text and pictures. Note the use of strong vocabulary and specific details.

12. We then take a day in class to edit the words and flow of the story. I suggest assigning the storyboard, starting it in class, and then having the students finish it for homework.

13. Collect the drafts and review for story flow and ideas.  Then have one-on-one meetings with each student or have kids do peer editing to focus their drafts. Be sure to look for those five ideas from the research.

14. At this point, the students need about one week to make the final draft—either in class or at home.

15. In the mean time, have the students make a Works Cited page. I use OWL at Purdue to help teach this.

16. After the work is complete, have a reading day in class. Kids really love reading other works. I ask them each to have a blank sheet of paper at the back of the book where readers can give compliments to the author.

17. I grade this project using the following scoring guide:

• The draft/"storyboard" was turned in complete and on time _______/10 points
• Research index cards completed and followed proper format ________/25 points (5 per card)
• Works Cited page attached and in proper format _______/20 points
• The graphic memoir follows a historic event with researched details _______/10 points
• The graphic memoir includes personal details from the questionnaire _________/10 points
• The graphic memoir uses strong, academic language ________/10 points
• The graphic memoir is organized in a logical manner, is easy to follow, and shows good effort in art  ______/15 points 

Here is a sample page of my historic, graphic memoir on 9/11

My historic, graphic memoir. Feel free to print it and share!

Discussions/Writing Prompts:

Use these prompts to talk about the book with your kids, or you can have them write their responses. Remember, picture books don't need to stop in second grade!

Two pages from the memoir.

1. Was Marjane's life better under the Shah or the Ayatollah? (I stole this question from my friend Vickie Gill.)

2. What would have changed if Marjane had not rejected her call to be a so-called prophet?

3. How does Marjane's relationship change with her parents throughout the memoir?

4. Do you believe Marjane's parents were right to send her away from Iran? Why or why not?

5. How does this story relate to your experience of growing up? In what ways do you relate, and in what ways do you contrast?

I hope you enjoy "Persepolis"... And I hope you do take the time to talk with kids about how the world around you relates to your lives!


Happy learning!

"Nathan Hale's Hazardous Tales: One Dead Spy" by Nathan Hale

THE BOOK:
"Nathan Hale's Hazardous Tales: One Dead Spy" is the first in Nathan Hale's series of historical graphic novels. This book humorously shares the events of the American Revolution from famed revolutionary spy, Nathan Hale (same name as the author/illustrator).  The book's premise is silly--Nathan, prior to his execution, is swallowed up by an enormous American History book, thus allowing him to know all there is of the nation's past and future, so the executioner and British soldier prolong his life to hear his tales--but beyond the funny premise, the historical content is great! For fifth graders on up, they can explore some of the milestones that have defined our nation, starting with Mr. Nathan Hale's zeal for his country in this first book. Spoiler Alert- Nathan doesn't die... yet.

Me (trying to look tough) with "One Dead Spy"

USE THE BOOK:

This book would be a good one for a book club because kids will want to hold this book. Sorry, it isn't a read aloud. It is, however, the perfect book to work in a cross-curricular manner between art, language, reading, and social studies. The book has SO many uses, but I'll just jot down a few...

1. Comparative Study:
Most teachers and homeschool parents have an official textbook adopted for instruction. Crosscheck facts, dates, and ideas presented by Hale . Compare what his "research babies" have collected for him (see the back of his book for a joke about how he got his research). Make a Venn Diagram showing the relationship between the two sources. In some cases, the information will all be in the middle area; however, some texts will contradict or have different details.

2. Class Debate:
While I normally save discussion prompts for the end of the post, I thought the actual structure and style of the book to be an important question to debate in the classroom.

Most people I have met really like this book and find it to be a great springboard for discussion; however, some may actually find it offensive that great heroes have been reduced to fake, comic book-styled icons. Thus, a debate is a great way to get kids to consider the merits of both arguments.

Divide the class into two groups: one side will take the stance stating it is honoring to Nathan Hale and the other men and women presented in the text to be immortalized in this graphic novel. The second half of the class will argue it is disrespectful and demeaning to the characters to be reduced to a comic book. No matter the child's perspective on the novel, make the children find arguments for their assigned parts.

After a good 10 minutes of discussion in the own groups, have students pick a buddy from their side. This newly formed pair will then meet up with a pair from the other point of view. For another 4-5 minutes, have the teams debate it out--not argue. Tell them the point of the debate is to bring up valid points, not to knock the other side down. A good example is to say:

"If you are in favor of the novel's portrayal of the American heroes, you wouldn't say: 'You guys who are against the book are stupid. Obviously this book is good because it is. You are just dumb.' Clearly, someone who uses name calling hasn't made any arguments for their side--it makes them look like they have no evidence to defend the book." 

Some of the opening pages of this hysterical-historical book.

Evidence is the key word. Make kids think: Why is the book's style good? Why is the book's style bad? While I tend to think this book is nothing less than fabulous, I can come up with a handful of valid ideas to counter my own beliefs.

At the end of the small group discussions, have students create t-charts, then have each group share some of the debates that went on in their groups. Each student is now able to collect information on both sides of the argument.

Finally, have students form their own opinions and write a persuasive paper on the novel. Challenge students to include specific details and counterarguments.

3. Comic-ing All of History:
This book inspires me to consider what other significant events could be told in graphic novel format. Think about all of the history lessons you teach, and consider one that lends itself to a good visual. The formation of the California missions? Ancient Egypt?

Give students a basic comic book template, and ask them to plan out a three-paged comic book-styled work that tells of one event in history.

Hale's novel has a great sense of wit, storytelling ability, and historical fact in his work. Students can have the same in their own work. For added learning, have students make a reference page where they can cite where they found their information.

4. Discussions/Writing Prompts:

Use these prompts to talk about the book with your kids, or you can have them write their responses. Remember, picture books (and in this case comic books) don't need to stop in second grade!

1. What aspects of this book's format (graphic novel) cause you to see something new about America's history?
2. Though Nathan Hale is famous for being a spy, the book doesn't paint him as the greatest spy. What traits do you think define Hale and his legacy?
3. The book brings up the use of mercenaries in war. Do you think it is right for people to fight in wars that are not their own? Why or why not?
4. Were the Revolutionaries moral in their methods? Killing, stealing, destroying property, and cursing are just a few of their moral ambiguities. Were the British moral in their methods? "Over" taxing the people, killing, stealing, and leaving POWs to die are just a few of their moral ambiguities.
5. If you could write a letter to George Washington to tell him of how Nathan Hale should be remembered, what would you say?




I hope you enjoy "Nathan Hale's Hazardous Tales: One Dead Spy"... And I hope you and your kids learn something from this hysterical-historical adventure.


Happy learning!