The Adventures of Penguin and Panda: Surprise

by Brenda Maier

Penguin and Panda are unlikely best friends who navigate small, relatable adventures filled with surprise and humor. Through graphic panels, they explore the joys of friendship and learning how to handle unexpected moments.

Big Idea

Friendship is defined by how we share and react to the surprises life brings us.

Discussion Questions

1.How does the graphic novel format change how we see the story?
2.What does 'surprise' mean to Penguin compared to Panda?
3.How do the expressions on their faces tell us how they feel?
4.Why is it important to have friends who are different from us?
5.If you were in the story, what surprise would you plan?

Lesson Plan

⏱ 50 minutes📦 Comic strip templates, colored pencils, fine-tip markers.

Learning Goals

Understand the structure of graphic novel panels
Express emotions through visual cues
Sequence events logically

Activity Steps

1.Create two characters with different personalities.
2.Plan a 'surprising' event that happens between them.
3.Draft the three panels on a worksheet.
4.Add speech bubbles and sound effects.
5.Present the comic to a partner.

Standards Connections

RL.K-5.7
W.K-5.3
SL.K-5.4

Pace-Write-Read Study with Pace-Write It!

Graphic novels like Penguin and Panda teach writers that 'white space' is just as important as words. The pacing is dictated by the grid layout, forcing the reader to pause at specific intervals to digest both the action and the character reactions. By teaching students to write for panels, they learn to condense information and focus on the most vital beats of a story. This creates a tight, efficient writing style that prioritizes visual impact and humor.

Element	How to notice or teach it in the novel
Pacing	Control the flow of the story by determining how many panels are dedicated to a single action.
Plot	Focus on a single, contained event that has a clear beginning, middle, and end.
Prosody	Focus on the rhythm of the dialogue within the speech bubbles to create natural pauses.
Word	Choose onomatopoeia to heighten the impact of physical movements or surprise events.
Voice & Worldview	Develop a distinct personality for each character that stays consistent regardless of the plot.

Pace-Write It!

Students sketch a 20-minute storyboard focusing on one character being surprised by a sudden sound or object.

Classroom Activities

Surprise Panel Design

Students create their own three-panel comic strip depicting a surprising moment between two original characters.

Surprise Panel Design

Students create their own three-panel comic strip depicting a surprising moment between two original characters.

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Discussion questions PWR workshop PDF download