Local sixth graders recently created their own short comics during a Herkimer-Fulton-Hamilton-Otsego BOCES Honors Program workshop with graphic novel author Ira Marcks.
“This engaging and fun workshop guided students through the four essential elements of comic storytelling: characters, setting, speech bubbles and panels,” Herkimer BOCES Honors Program Coordinator Deborah Schoff said. “By the end of the workshop, students planned and created their own short comic.”
The Making Graphic Novels with Ira Marcks workshop took place on Monday, Oct. 20, at the Herkimer BOCES Gateway Center in Herkimer. Students from Central Valley, Dolgeville, Herkimer, Little Falls, Owen D. Young, Poland, Richfield Springs and West Canada Valley attended the event.
Marcks is an award-winning graphic novelist behind the children’s mystery books “Shark Summer,” “Spirit Week” and “Snake School.” His work has received recommendations from organizations such as the New York Times, the American Library Association and the Junior Library Guild.
“Ira is a natural teacher,” Schoff said. “He engaged the students and interacted with them with ease. His knowledge and passion were evident. He shared his skills of drawing and storytelling, and led students in creating their own short comics. It was fantastic.”
Participants also left the workshop with their own signed copy of “Shark Summer” and a journal to continue their work with creating comic strips and perhaps graphic novels.
The Herkimer BOCES Honors Program is open to students in Herkimer BOCES component school districts and is designed to support the potential of students in grades 3-12 who have above average interests and abilities in a particular area. Programs allow for interaction with like-minded peers. Students learn by engaging in educational activities with presenters who are noted in their field. Exploration and programs provide for different learning styles and include topics in the arts and sciences as well as literature and history. Ongoing evaluation of all programs by teachers and students assures their relevance and quality.
Graphic novelist Ira Marcks (second from left) poses with Owen D. Young students during a Herkimer-Fulton-Hamilton-Otsego BOCES Honors Program workshop on Monday, Oct. 20, at the Herkimer BOCES Gateway Center.
Graphic novelist Ira Marcks works with local students during a Herkimer-Fulton-Hamilton-Otsego BOCES Honors Program workshop on Monday, Oct. 20, at the Herkimer BOCES Gateway Center.
Graphic novelist Ira Marcks interacts with local students during a Herkimer-Fulton-Hamilton-Otsego BOCES Honors Program workshop on Monday, Oct. 20, at the Herkimer BOCES Gateway Center.
