This year, Tapestry is inviting guests of many career experiences to the classroom to provide our students with opportunities to deepen their learning and connect with different perspectives. Recently, our sixth-grade class was fortunate to welcome Gina Gallois, a parent of one of our students, who shared her newly published graphic novel, Quantum Possum. This visit enriched our narrative-writing unit and gave students an exciting chance to engage directly with an author, learning about the creative process behind storytelling.
Sixth Grade English Language Arts & Social Studies teacher, Ms. Outar said, “During the visit, Gina introduced us to her book, Quantum Possum: A Neurodivergence-Affirming Graphic Novel, which features an opossum as the main character alongside other animal friends. The story highlights neurodiversity in a positive light, encouraging students to appreciate differences in how people think and experience the world.”
The class explored key elements of storytelling, such as developing unique characters and writing engaging dialogue, and discussed what makes graphic novels distinct from traditional novels. These conversations were thought-provoking and allowed students to reflect on their own writing.
Having guest authors provide hands-on, interactive learning experience for students, making the subject matter come alive in new and exciting ways. Students left the discussion feeling inspired and more confident in their ability to craft their own narratives. To pruchase her book, now available from MoonFlower Press here, is a valuable resource in the classroom.
