Civics for Teachers @ Clayton County, GA

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RESOURCE PAGE FOR TEACHER TRAINING WORKSHOPS (Feb. 2023)

QUICK LINKS:

COMICS WORKSHOP @ Clayton County [PDF]
Georgia Studies: Teacher Notes [PDF]
2023 COMICS WORKSHOP Handbook
marek@marekbennett.com

JUMP TO: Standards | Activity 1: Cartooning | Activity 2: Primary Source | Activity 3: Mini-Comics Etc. | Unit Planning | …

Georgia Standards / Grade 8 / Georgia Studies:

  • SS8CG1 Describe the foundations of Georgia’s government.
    a. Explain the basic structure of the Georgia state constitution (preamble, bill of rights, articles, and amendments) as well as its relationship to the United States Constitution.
    b. Explain separation of powers and checks and balances among Georgia’s three branches of government. 
    c. Describe the rights and responsibilities of citizens according to the Georgia Constitution. 
  • SS8CG4 Analyze the role of the judicial branch in Georgia state government
    c. Explain the difference between criminal law and civil law.
    d. Explain the steps in the adult criminal justice system beginning with arrest. 
  • SS8CG5 Explain how the Georgia court system treats juvenile offenders. 
    a. Explain the difference between delinquent and unruly behavior and the consequences of each.
    b. Describe the rights of juveniles involved in the juvenile justice system.
    c. Explain the steps in the juvenile justice system when a juvenile is first taken into custody. 

INTRO TO COMICS

Basic Comics TOOLS

DEMO: P*I.E. Process >>

DEMO: F.A.S.T. Storytelling Elements >>

ACTIVITY: Basic (Extreme!) Cartooning

CHALLENGE: Create iconic images of specific concepts from the Georgia State Constitution (& other civic elements).

TIME: 10-20 minutes (penciling & sharing)

RESULT: Cartooning experience + visual gallery/glossary of important civics concepts

LIST 1
freedom
wisdom
justice
moderation
peace
happiness
life
equality

LIST 2
guidance
government
right
responsibility
property

LIST 3
person
inhabitant
citizen
family
community
the people
society

DEMOS: NH State COMICStitution

ACTIVITY: Drawing from Primary Sources

Drawing a multi-panel page based on a source text:

CHALLENGE: Draw a 3-panel page featuring 3 key words or concepts from the Georgia state Flag

TIME = 5-10 minutes

RESULT: 1-page personal reaction/reflection to flag symbols

EXTENSION: Draw a 1-page story sharing something interesting or surprising about the history of the state flag.

Concepts: CONSTITUTION, WISDOM, JUSTICE, MODERATION, “In God we trust”

CHALLENGE: Draw a 3-panel page interpreting 1 item (paragraph) from the Georgia state constitution.

TIME = 5-10 minutes (choose article & pencil a page) + 5-10 minutes (peer conference & fix)

RESULT: 1-page personal interpretation of specific Article/Paragraph.

EXTENSION: Combine multiple pages into “graphic novel” adaptation (by groups or class-wide).

RESOURCES: Georgia State Constitution

SAMPLE TEXTS (from ARTICLE 1):

Sample projects from primary source TEXTS and VISUALS:

ACTIVITY: 1-Sheet (8-page) Mini-Comics Interpretation

How to fold a 1-Sheet Mini

Turn a blank paper into an 8-page mini (without glue or staples)!

CHALLENGE: Draw the Georgia State Constitution PREAMBLE as a mini-comic (or 1-page comic).

TIME: 30-45 minutes (P*I.E.)

RESULT: Graphic interpretation of Preamble text & concepts.

EXTENSION: Compare to the Preambles of the Declaration of Independence & the US Constitution

Preamble:

Marked up:

SAMPLE TEMPLATE: See “US CONTITUTION Preamble” >>

Supreme Court Case Template:

Interpret your favorite US Supreme Court case in mini-comics format…

CASE OF INTEREST: Chisholm v. Georgia (1793)

(As in many other cases, it will work best to select & highlight key quotes, summaries, & concepts for students’ reference.)

CHALLENGE: Draw a passage from a favorite speech or text as an 8-page mini…

ACTIVITY: Unit Planning

Considerations when designing a comics activity for your classroom…:

SOURCES: Primary sources & other info students can use to research & create their projects. (Also, possible subtopics &c. …)

FORMATS: What shape(s) might student projects take? (SEE BELOW)

Also consider possible models (books, artists, &c.).

GOALS: Expectations & points for assessment; What will students learn? What will they demonstrate? How will they know they’re successful?

COMICS FORMATS

D.I.Y. formats for self-publishing your work:

More Mini-Comics TEMPLATES:

OTHER APPROACHES & IDEAS…

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