Study on the Use of Picture Books in Elementary Social Studies Class

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (11) ◽  
pp. 463-476
Author(s):  
Kyungyoon Lee
Keyword(s):  
Social Studies ◽  
Picture Books ◽  
Elementary Social Studies

scholarly journals One Story, Many Perspectives: Reading and Writing Graphic Novels in the Elementary Social Studies Classroom

2019 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
pp. 107-124
Author(s):  
Erica Christie
Keyword(s):  
Social Studies ◽  
Elementary Students ◽  
Critical Literacy ◽  
Picture Books ◽  
Picture Book ◽  
Graphic Novels ◽  
Graphic Novel ◽  
Multiple Perspectives ◽  
Elementary Social Studies ◽  
True Story

Though elementary students often read picture books in school, the growth of critical literacy has inspired teachers to select texts that engage students with literacy and social studies in more meaningful ways. Although many of these texts are traditional picture books, alternative formats like the graphic novel are also being used to invite student questioning and share multiple perspectives. This study examines the ways elementary students understand and retell a complex social studies story using multiple textual formats. Thirdgrade students were exposed to a picture book and graphic novel version of the true story of Alia Muhammad Baker, a courageous Iraqi librarian. After reflecting on the texts, students renarrated the story; many chose to write graphic novels. Students expressed high levels of interest in graphic novels, exhibited new perspectives on the Iraq War and active citizenship, and utilized key features of graphic novels to tell complex and multilayered social stories.

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