Autumn Schaffer is applying for a grant to purchase graphic novels and a digital camera to teach students at Anne Street Elementary School. The project will involve 250 students in grades 2-5 and 13 teachers and staff. Students will read graphic novels about history, science, and biographies to make learning more engaging. They will then work in groups to create their own graphic novels using a digital camera and online software. The project aims to improve reading, critical thinking, technology and creative writing skills while teaching required curriculum in an innovative way. The requested budget of $947.99 will cover 6 sets of graphic novels and a digital camera.

1. 2011 Bright Ideas Grant: Southern Rivers Energy
Part 1 of 4: Applicant Information
Last Name:
Schaffer
First Name:
Autumn
Title of Project:
Graphic Novels: Come to Life!
School Name:
Anne Street Elementary School
School Address:
802 Anne Street
City:
Griffin
State:
Georgia
Zip:
30223
School Phone Number
School Fax Number
Applicant’s Email Address
autumn.schaffer@gscs.org
Part 2 of 4: Project Overview
Title of Grant Project
Graphic Novels: Come to Life!
Curriculum Areas that grant will address:
Reading, Social Studies, Technology, Science
Number of Students Project will Benefit
250

2. Grade Levels Impacted
2nd-5th grade
Does this project involve teamwork?
Yes
If so, how many members?
1 media specialist, 12 teachers
Part 3 of 4: Project Description
Brief Description of the Project
Our students have a huge desire to check out more “cool” books from our media
center. They tend to love books that have cartoons and familiar faces from television.
While these are excellent works of fiction, we see a lot of our nonfiction texts, which are
highly educational, being left on the shelf. When asked why the students never check out
the “biography” section of the library, the students simply say that it is “boring.” With a
huge push from the state for our teachers to instill the Georgia Performance Standards
knowledge into our children, there is a direct need for more entertaining educational
materials.
We have decided to use graphic novels to bridge our gap between “fun” and
“educational.” Students are commonly seen with their personal comic books at school,
which consist of all the legendary action heroes. When have decided to turn history’s
leaders, classic characters, and science topics into graphic novels to interest the students.
We hope they can even make some of their own!
What makes this project innovative/creative?
After our students read and see that graphic novels can be based upon super
heroes, history heroes, or even the human body, they will be allowed to make their own
graphic novels. This is a twist for the common story or report writing that many students
are used to and commonly dread. With the use of a digital camera, the students will be
able to take pictures of their scenes, after they have created the plot and setting for their
own graphic novel. They will then use “ToonDoo” a free application online, to create
their own graphic novels based upon stories they have created or individuals/events they
have read about.
How will this project benefit students?
Since these graphic novels have already been leveled, we will know exactly what
types of students are able to read the independently. Teachers will also be given the
option of reading these works allowed during social studies, science, or reading time. The
students will benefit not only from the expose of the words, but from the format of the
text, which is somewhat uncommon. The students will be allowed to create their own
graphic novel, which will benefit their technology abilities as well as their critical
thinking and creative writing skills.

3. Please explain how you will implement this project. If you will be assisted by others,
please include what their role will be but do not include their name or any school
references.
The graphic novel collections will be ordered and placed in the media center. The
media specialist will highlight these by forming and display for them as well as reading
them during the monthly book talks. The teachers and students will be allowed to check
out the books for home or classroom use.
The 2nd, 3rd, and 4th grade teachers will be using the biography graphic organizers
to teach units about the particular individuals listed in their standards. The 5th grade
teachers will use the human body graphic novels to complete a unit on such. Afterwards,
the students will work in groups in their writing class to formulate a graphic novel about
a certain historical figure (2nd-4th) or a body organ (5th). They will complete a story board
for this. Afterwards, they will use the digital camera to take pictures of scenes they setup
for their story. They will then use the pictures in “ToonDoo” to create their graphic
novel.
Part 4 of 4: Budget
Mandatory Items- Items you must have to complete this project:
Item Description, Quantity, Unit Cost, Total Cost
Item Description Quantity Unit Cost Total Cost
Bio-Graphics Set 1 1 $159.60 $159.60
ISBN: 978-1-60270-063-5
Bio-Graphics Set 2 1 $159.60 $159.60
ISBN: 978-1-60270-169-4
Famous Firsts- 1 $119.70 $119.70
Animals Making
History Series
ISBN: 978-1-61641-636-2
Graphic 1 $119.70 $119.70
Adventures: The
Human Body Series
ISBN: 978-1-60270-682-8
Boxcar Children- 1 $119.70 $119.70
Graphic Novels Set
1
ISBN: 978-1-60270-585-2
Boxcar Children- 1 $119.70 $119.70
Graphic Novels Set
2
ISBN: 978-1-60270-714-6
Sony- Cyber Shot 1 $149.99 $149.99
16.1 Mega pixel
Zoom Digital
Camera
Model: DSCW570 | SKU:
2061077

4. Total Amount You Must Have to Implement the Project:
$947.99
Other Items You Would Like for the Project:
$0
Total Amount of Other Items
$0
Total Amount (minimum and other items needed)
$947.99