Are you using every tool you have in your "teacher toolbox" to help engage your student writers, but are still finding that they're either reluctant to write, not producing a lot of writing, or are spending more time moaning and groaning than they are writing? If so, this mini workshop is exactly what you need. After spending time with me over seven lessons, you will find that your students are moaning and groaning now because writing time is over–and you'll also see your student writers (as well as their many strengths!) through a whole new light.

We will begin by discussing why it makes sense for us to use comics and graphic novels as a part of our writing workshop. Then, we will tackle a big question I often hear from teachers interested in doing this work: What if my students aren't great artists? (SPOILER: They don't have to be!) Once I show you how to get started using an inquiry approach, we will explore how to turn students' noticings and wonders into writing lessons and discuss how you can help them revise and refine their work for an authentic audience. Of course, we can't talk about teaching students to write comics and graphic novels without also talking about how to assess this work. Finally, we will wrap-up our time together by addressing some of the more common "roadblocks" and/or concerns you or your students might encounter along the way.