Nat Good Enough

Set a Purpose for Reading/Preview Text Features

• Ask students to predict what this story will be about based on the title, subtitle, and illustrations on page 10. Review the predictions after reading
• Call on volunteers to read aloud the Think and Read box on page 10 and the Think and Write box on page 15..

Introduce Vocabulary

• Show or assign the Graphic Vocabulary Skill Builder before reading the story to help students become familiar with the style of graphic novels.
• Note: The Close-Reading and Critical-Thinking questions use terms specific to graphic stories. We encourage you to use the vocabulary skill builder before assigning the questions below so students can refer to the terms and their definitions.

• Read the story as a class or have students follow along as they listen to the Read-Aloud. Use the Pause and Think questions at the end of each section for a quick comprehension check.

• Project or assign the Close-Reading and Critical-Thinking Questions. (Alternatively, use all or part of the Learning Journey Slide Deck.)

Close-Reading Questions

• Read page 10 and the first two panels on the top of page 11. What does Ms. Basu announce to her class? Ms. Basu announces to the class that there will be a contest to publish students’ comics in Your Voice magazine. (plot)
• Read the rest of the panels on page 11. How does the drawing in the last panel show Nat’s feelings about her art? The last panel shows Nat thinking that Luca’s drawing of a dragon is much better than hers. (character, text feature)
• Read the panels in the middle and bottom rows on page 12. Why does Nat look so unhappy? Nat is listening to her doubt gremlins. She thinks that she can’t draw and that everyone is better than she is. She believes that she’ll never win the contest because Luca’s drawings are so good. (cause and effect)
• Read the panels on page 13. How does Luca help Nat overcome her doubt gremlins? Luca tells Nat to ignore her doubt gremlins. He tells her to focus on what makes her drawings so special. (main idea and supporting details)
• Why does Nat look happy in the last panel on page 13? Nat is thinking about the ways her drawings are unique. She is thinking about how her drawings are fun, creative, and silly. (inference)
• Look at the panel on page 14 that is labeled “Later That Night.” What does Nat do the next time a doubt gremlin tries to interrupt her thoughts? Nat tells the doubt gremlin to go away and that she has work to do. Then she continues to work on her art. (problem and solution)
• Read the middle row of panels on page 15. How does Nat react after Ms. Basu announces that the magazine will publish her comic? What does the illustration tell you about her doubt gremlin? First, Nat looks surprised. Then she looks very happy. The illustration shows the doubt gremlin taking its bag and leaving her for good. That tells me that Nat has learned to ignore her doubt gremlins once and for all! (character)

Critical-Thinking Questions 

• How do Nat’s feelings about her doubt gremlins change from the beginning to the end of the story? In the beginning of the story, Nat believes what her doubt gremlins tell her about herself. She thinks that Luca’s comics are better than hers and she’ll never win the comics contest. By the end of the story, Nat learns to ignore her doubt gremlins by focusing on what makes her drawings special. She has learned to believe in herself and her drawings. (how a character changes)
• Have you ever felt like Nat before? Have you ever experienced doubt gremlins inside your head? How did you feel about it? Answers will vary. (connecting to the text)

Class Discussion: Supporting Your Friends

In this story, Nat feels like her friend Luca is more skilled at drawing than she is. Even though Luca beats her in a drawing contest, Nat is still happy for her friend. Ask students to think of a time when they were asked to celebrate the accomplishments of a friend or sibling. Was anything difficult about that? Have a conversation about the importance of supporting your friends even if they achieve something you do not. (connecting to the text, theme)

Featured Skill: Main Idea and Supporting Details

• Distribute or digitally assign the Main Idea and Supporting Details Skill Builder.  

• Ask students to write a response to the Think and Write prompt on page 15.