DISCLAIMER: This post is not endorsed by Bill Watterson or his publisher. I am just sharing because that is what tutors and teachers do best!
Calvin and Hobbes is wildly popular and stands the test of time. Bill Watterson’s comic strip features an imaginative boy and his best friend Hobbes, a stuffed tiger. I have found that this comic strip can engage even the most reluctant reader to get excited about reading. Here are five reasons you should consider using Calvin and Hobbes with your readers:
1. Inference Skills
When reading Calvin and Hobbes, the reader naturally has to observe, use prior knowledge, and logic to come to conclusions. An example of this within the comic is that Hobbes is a stuffed tiger and only Calvin sees him as a life-like friend.
2. Phonics
Calvin is a fun and rambunctious boy who makes all kinds of sounds whether he is in trouble, screaming, or upset. Typically, Bill Watterson writes out long groups of different sounds. Students will have to access their own knowledge of phonics in order to grasp what sounds Calvin is making.
3. Empathy
Even well behaved children can relate to the antics of Calvin. They can link the story line to themselves. There are times when all of us wish we could blow up a test or get out of homework! The stories can help validate some of the frustrations that a reader may be struggling with.
4. Vocabulary
The author is speaking to a wide audience which includes adults. Some of the comics have rather difficult words and reading this comic strip exposes the reader to some words they otherwise may not encounter for quite some time. When you find an unknown word with the reader, stop and research it's meaning together.
5. Builds Fluency
When reading the comics out loud, readers can work on their intonation to help bring the story alive. You can model what reading the comic strip with no emotion or inflection and then read again with lots of emotion. Ask readers which reading they enjoyed more.
I created a free teaching resource for you! Inside, students will be asked to study one specific Calvin and Hobbes comic and answer some questions. There is a page for vocabulary, a character study page, and a blank cartoon page to have students write their own Calvin and Hobbes story.
If you enjoyed this resource, will you please oh please share on Facebook or Pinterest?
I also found a fun site that allows you to create your own comic of Calvin and Hobbes right on their site. Head over and check it out! The comic used in this blog post was written by me!
Photo credits: books digital calvin and hobbes
Its really a nice and informative reason you have shared with us which help us to improve my knowledge.
ReplyDeletesubject teachers