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Education
Our primary aim here at Classical Comics is to make classical literature appealing to all.
Needless to say, this starts with younger readers and in education. Created to match the UK curriculum guidelines, our series provides multiple text versions of favourite and well loved books.

In order to be true to the Bard's works, our Shakespeare titles contain the full unabridged text, in the original setting. However, our research has revealed how difficult the language can be for some readers, and how that difficulty can be enough to deter some readers from tackling the full text. For that reason, we also create a Plain English version of the dialogue, which contains approximately the same word count as the Original text.

Remembering that we want to make the classics available to all, we also produce a Quick Text version of the work. This version contains much simplified dialogue so that a younger or a lesser able reader can understand and enjoy the play. We believe that this approach is unique to us.
 

Click Here for our free Key Stage 3 English test downloads!

"By mixing tradition with a more creative approach to the curriculum, we will achieve our objective of producing successful learners, confident individuals and responsible citizens."
- Ken Boston, Chief Executive of QCA

"This is a fun way of getting into the stories. Plays are not meant to be read but to be seen. The illustrations in these books are an easy way of following what is going on.
The genius of Shakespeare is in the language but for some students understanding it can be a struggle. It will be useful for teachers to have three different versions of the text
"
- Ian McNeilly, director of the National Association for the Teaching of English

Original Text

Plain Text

Quick Text

The three text versions linked to enthralling graphics, are the key to engaging students of all ages.
We take the reader on a journey through the classics from the basic story written in simple language, moving through the full story in plain English, to the wonders of Shakespeare's full, original English text.

These are not just for children - adults will be able to use this "study path" to better understand these wonderful works. Our current policy for our non-Shakespeare titles is to publish Original Text and Quick Text versions only, as the Original Text is much simpler than the more poetic Shakespearean speech (and unfortunately we are having to abridge those texts due to the sheer length of the original works, but we are still working towards 120 pages or more in order to provide a substantial reading experience).

As well as the mainstream UK applications in education, the books, especially in their Quick Text format are superb for EFL/ELT teaching too. Our titles provide a unique classroom opportunity to teachers given the following benefits:
  • Inclusive Teaching
    Our three text versions allow a single class of mixed abilities to work with the same story. Lesser-able readers can use the Quick Text version, while the more-able readers can use the Plain Text or Original Text versions, giving you a classroom of pupils, of whatever ability, effectively reading from the 'same' page.

  • Cross-Curriculum
    The books can be used to encompass core and foundation curriculum subjects including English language, English literature, history, art, drama and ICT as well as inspiring individual creativity within children.

  • Reluctant Readers
    Experts in the field, and teachers we are working with, believe that this medium promotes literacy in the most reluctant readers. A paper on the subject, courtesy of Mel Gibson and LTScotland gives the full picture: Graphic Novels across the curriculum

  • Teaching Classics at Key Stage 2
    As our model schools have found, the books can be used from year 5 onwards utilising the Quick Text versions for classroom work, and Plain English plus Original Text for smaller reading groups. Designing cartoons based on the novels, then creating a new story, or ending, have been particularly successful with the Key Stage 2 groups.

  • Getting Boys to Read
    A current, well-documented challenge! Our books have been greeted by boys of all ages with massive enthusiasm. Quotes such as "I didn't know that Shakespeare could be so cool" and "I would read these at home too" came from our latest focus group looking at Henry V. The "high-impact" graphics make a world of difference here, appealing to readers on a visual level regardless of their reading ability.

  • Teachers Resources
    We are developing an integrated package of tools and resources for each book, written by teachers, for teachers and suitable from Key Stage 2 upwards. Both hard copy teachers' guides and interactive whiteboard software will be available. For KS2 and 3 the resources provide cross curriculum topics and the opportunity to tailor lessons to meet individual needs. Again meeting the requirements of the UK curriculum guidelines, the teaching resources provide exercises covering structure, listening, understanding, motivation and comprehension as well as key words, themes and literary techniques.

For more information, please go to our links page for a comprehensive list of educational resource sites.
 

"What a marvellous way to bring Shakespeare to new audiences and venues.
Bridging 400 years with a graphic pen is brilliant.
"
- Barbara Romer, founder The New Globe Theater, New York

"This is a means in which to reawaken youth to the magic of literature."
- Leah, teacher, Canada

"It's interesting to explore this phenomenon further and discover how these graphic forms of celebrated text can do a great deal to the already existing excitement of Shakespeare in the classroom!!"
- Lauren, teacher

"Where was this when I wasn't reading King Lear and Tale of Two Cities in High School? Seriously, I think it is an inspired idea. Some would say that this would be a good tool for the lazy student, but the fact is that there are students that cannot read that well, no matter how hard they try. Why shouldn't they have the chance to understand the content and participate in class discussions?"
- Scott Tingley, Comics in the Classroom, Canada

"As a teacher I think these graphic novels are an amazing way in which to have our students experience the variety of text available."
- Leah, teacher, Canada

"The trouble is, Shakespeare wrote those words nearly 400 years ago and language has changed since then. The interesting thing about these comics is that they have 3 versions- the original Shakespearean text, a plain text which translates the words into Modern day English and a quick text version which condenses the meaning into as few a words as possible. "
- Naomi, teacher

"As a long serving primary school teacher who, for very complicated reasons, finds herself teaching KS3 Shakespeare, may I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your wonderful 'Much Ado' resources.

Thank you!
Thank you!
Thank you!
Thank you!
Thank you!   x
"
- Mandy, teacher

Presenting Shakespeare through graphic form can have a tremendous impact on readers' understanding of the play and the visual imagery that the bard so beautifully and purposefully uses!"
- Lauren, teacher

"the Original Text version is like watching the play; all of the dialogue included. So this version would be good for any student. The Original Text version could help the students reading the original version double check for understanding, and the Quick Text can be for anyone that needs it."
- Scott Tingley, Comics in the Classroom, Canada

Ordering Information
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