The project proposes purchasing graphic novels about history topics and science to make educational reading more engaging for students. Teachers and 250 students in grades 2-5 would benefit. Students would read the graphic novels during class and be allowed to create their own graphic novels using a digital camera and online application. The $947.99 budget would cover 6 sets of biography and science graphic novels and a digital camera to support student creation of graphic novels. Overall the project aims to increase student interest in reading educational texts through an innovative graphic novel format.

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

2. 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
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

3. 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.
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

4. 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 $159.60 $159.60
1
ISBN:
978-1-60270-063-5
Bio-Graphics Set 1 $159.60 $159.60
2
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

5. Zoom Digital
Camera
Model: DSCW570 | SKU:
2061077
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