When a teacher often thinks of teaching literature t a group of students they often think of reading a novel or assigning stories in a basel. These traditional methods to teaching do not always appeal to every student though. While reading YGBB chapter 5, we learned of students who did not react, or understand traditional methods of teaching. This will probably happen to everyone many times in their classrooms. This brings up the question, are there other methods of teaching these same language arts ideas?
Before reading American Born Chinese I was very skeptical about bringing graphic novels and comics into the classroom. I was not sure how I could connect these types of readings to my everyday curriculum. Post reading this novel I quickly learned that even comic based novels and text of this type can have good messages and connections to the readers. Although there are some good messages I am still skeptical as to how I would work these in. Although there are some ideas here and there in a middle school classroom would they understand the concept. Also how can the students imagine what the characters look like if there are pictures right in front of them? I would love some input on these ideas. This graphic novel concept is foreign to me!
Yea, prior to reading American Born Chinese and the two articles assigned, I was a bit skeptical. However, "Using Graphic Novels, Anime, and the Internet in an Urban High School" is a first hand example of how comics are able to improve student's writing, vocab, etc while getting the students engaged.
ReplyDeleteAlso, the students would definitely still be using their imaginations: Like with the scenes that do not have text, so the reader had to kind of interpret what the character is saying/ thinking; the gutter between each panel, so the reader would have to imagine what was going on in between the "scenes"; and you could create a similar project to what the second article mentions, where the students somehow create their own comic/ characters (using original anime, cut-outs from magazines, etc). These aspects are all about creativity, imagination, and development. You could have a unit on comics/graphic novels, or use only one novel/ comic to read rather than, or in addition to, a typical novel. Hope some of this helps!
I don't blame you for being skeptical. Teaching something like graphic comics, that I had no experience with prior to this, can be daunting. I think we need to have more faith in our students, because if we believe that they will have trouble with something, they can pick up on that and give up. I am not yet sure how I would exactly use graphic novels or comics, but what I do know based on our readings is that it is something definitely worth a try!
ReplyDeleteThe one thing I'll say about not being able to imagine what the characters look like is, while I'm sometimes disappointed by how a character is drawn on the cover or cast in a movie as compared to my own image of the character, students will still be able to visualize both the gutter scenes (as Heidi mentioned) and the motion. When I read anything, but especially graphic novels, I'm reading words but I'm watching a movie in my head. So, turning the pictures into live action is still something available to the students.
ReplyDeleteYou mentioned in class that you wanted to work with students with special needs. I think graphic novels are perfect for them! All of the colors and pictures are very stimulating and they mimic real life. I think your students especially would find the humor relaxing and fun as compared to learning through a more standard approach. Give it a try! I think you will be surprised.
ReplyDeletePrior to reading the convention and other article as well as American Born Chinese I never thought about graphic novels being in my lesson plans. Since I read more on these ideas I really think I could potentially use graphic novels in my classroom. I like the idea of having the students make their own cut outs on construction paper or on the computer in order to involve more options then just drawing. The students can interpret their version of the comic and discuss in the class how each of their comics are similar yet have their own unique twist to the story.
ReplyDelete"Also how can the students imagine what the characters look like if there are pictures right in front of them?"
ReplyDeleteI agree, that is one downfall to the graphic novel.. which is why I think it is hugely successful to students who have trouble beginning to visualize what they read in the first place. But like the others said, our only freedom to imagine the action is what occurs between the "gutter". Although, looking at if from an optimistic point of view, atleast this isn't the only reading material we're limited to, and therefore we can imagine our cast/settings the other 99% of the time. ;)
I also agree with you about the skepicism in using graphic novels. Graphic novels have always been unfamiliar withme so it is hard to imagine how I would use this type of literature in my classroom. As soon as i started reading "American Born Chinese" I was convinced that students would enjoy this type of reading because of the pictures and "easy to read" context.
ReplyDeleteI'm pretty excited to see what the students' reactions are to graphic novels (if they haven't already picked them up).
ReplyDeleteHere are some ideas I put in my blog about different approaches for American-Born Chinese:
--Have students discuss stereotypes and write about an instance where they tried to fit in and compare to how Jin tries to fit in.
--Explore why graphic novel was a good choice for this book and the story
--Write an autobiographical outline from an episode in the student’s life or a family member and having the student create a storyboard
I googled various lesson plans and liked these ideas:
--http://www.firstsecondbooks.com/teachers/abcLesson.html
--Recommends a good approach with students would be to have students read the book and then have the assignment of looking at portrayals of Asian Americans in several genres of comics back through the 1950s.
--Students could review this site and find more information about the legend of the monkey king:
http://www.humblecomics.com/monkey/
Good luck!