Graphic Novels In The Classroom And School Libraries By Paula E.

Let’s be honest, we all loved a good comic book when we were younger, but now that we are older there are few things thought to be more childish than reading a picture book. This is exactly what Scott McCloud has set out to change with his graphic essay from Show and Tell. Being a cartoonist himself, he has set out to change our perspective on comic books from our default categorization in being for children, to being a possible contender in the adult reading scene. By showing the underlying complexity that goes into the formation of a comic McCloud is able to give a clear understanding that comic books are not as simple or easy to create as the general population believes. Multiple times within Show and Tell McCloud

Reading is the beginning of every child’s learning. The basis of education begins with learning to read. Short (2010) explained that literature acts as “an inquiry to life” and a “way of knowing” (p. 50). However, in order to support children’s learning, it is essential to show children that learning is interesting from a young age. When Short first began teaching using worksheets and a basal reading program, she wrote, “I often felt that children were learning to read in spite of me” (p. 49). The students were not learning to think critically. However, when she began introducing literature circles to her students, she saw them “critically exploring their understandings with each other” (p. 49).

Each of the concepts in the article, “Books for Young Readers” addresses the goal of student interest and engagement in reading. The section, “Ways of Reading” talks about balancing the personal and pedagogical responses to reading, which is not easy to achieve. Laura Jimenez and Kristin Mcilhagga are refreshingly open and honest in discussing their lesson on children’s historical fiction where they used the graphic novel, Storm in the Barn, by Matt Phelan. The book served their pedagogical objectives, but neither Lisa nor Kristin liked the book themselves and their students noticed. When asked if they liked the book, they had to admit that they did not. Educators must put themselves in their students’ position when seeking interesting and

Now in days high schoolers are faced with school,sports,homework, maintaining a social life, person things, and getting the correct amount of sleep. Homework is a drag and coming from a high schooler it’s terrible. Most of the time we feel we have better things to do then read a novel but if the book is interesting and creates a picture of what’s happening, then it’s more enjoyable. I’d rather sit down and read a graphic novel any day then have to read a regular novel. Not because it’s easier but because it’s more interesting.

In the essay, “In Defense of Graphic Novels”, Kathryn Strong Hansen explains the different opinions about using graphic novels in a classroom. When most people hear of a graphic novel, they assume it’s a comic book and that it has no relevance in a classroom. Because they have pictures, they also assume that they are meant for children. Hansen explains, however, that students can analyze graphic novels the same way they would a prose-only novel. She also states that low level reading students could benefit from reading graphic novels. Because they can be used to help struggling students, students who are doing well believe that graphic novels are too easy of a read. It could also

When defining great literature, graphic novels are often the last source scholars and educators consider. In general, graphic novels are seen as low-brow, mass culture entertainment or as pedagogical tools (Long 6). In recent years graphic novels have proven to be worthy of being considered great literature and valuable tools in the classroom. Comic books should not be viewed simply as aesthetic objects, but rather as texts which function when read by their audience within a specific context. Our education curriculums are heavily relied on reading comprehension, which has proven to be a struggle for visual learners. Graphic novels offer value, variety, and new medium for literacy that acknowledges the impact of visuals. Novels such as Maus by Art Spiegelman and The Sandman (vertigo) by Neil Gainman, not only appeal to visual learners, but are useful across all curriculums.

Some of my earliest memories of reading and writing took place in preschool. My former teacher, Mrs. Williams always made reading a fun and new experience which helped encourage us to read. I remember always being excited to read a new book as if I were embarking on a new adventure. My mother also encouraged me to read by reading to my brother and I at bedtime. She also gave us plenty of genres to choose from. Even though my dad did not reach much, my mom was very much interested in books about British crime mysteries. My brother, on the other hand, read anime’ comics and video game instruction pamphlets. Although reading has not been my strongest subject, the subject has always been part of my life.

Growing up, I had always loved reading; it intrigued me and stimulated me in ways the typical preschool and Kindergarten lessons couldn’t. I’d come home from a long day of coloring shapes, wrists sore from fiercely

I chose to read and comment on Barbara Kiefer’s “Envisioning Experience: The Potential of Picture Books.” Kiefer’s main point in writing this essay was to get the message across that children enjoy picture books that allow them to identify and make connections with the characters or the plots, and that while reading and analyzing the pictures, they gain a better sense of aesthetics and how to interpret them.

I’ve always been an avid reader. When I was in elementary school, my mother would take my brother and I to the library every week to pick out books. I would take the books to school and read them all in one day. I loved reading so much that my teachers would call home and tell my parents that I was reading my library books during class instead of my textbooks. Reading has always been a major part of my life. I used to aspire to become an author. I even wanted to become an editor at one point. I used to make daily household newspapers and magazines for my entire family to read and enjoy. My strong love for reading certainly came in handy during my freshman year of high school.

Reading has never been too difficult for me. As a child I was constantly reading something. I loved to read, but as I grew my passion for reading slowly began to die. My interest in life and my ideas changed the way I do things, and it unfortunately has changed the way I feel about reading.

retells and think-alouds (Reed & Vaughn, 2012); graphic novels have the ability to strengthen recall because the images and text cause the readers brain to “dual code” the events occurring (Meuer, 18). Not only do the images tend to diverse students but they improve overall memory which is crucial to the assembly of proficient students. Therefore, graphic novels can allow students to be more engaged while receiving effective information because of the images which follow. There are various ways visuals “aid reading comprehension and memory recall” primarily by adding “to the organization in order to make the text more coherent (Levie & Lentz, 1982; Levin, Anglin, & Carney, 1987; Liu, 2004)” (Meuer, 20). Dual-coding may be considered a theory but it is known worldwide that pictures speak louder than words, so when combined with text the reader

When people think of graphic novels, most likely you would think of children’s books or Superhero comics. Now this may be true; but the use of graphic novels hold a lot of benefits for adults as well. They’re the perfect way to share a message without any miscommunication. And let’s face it, almost every adult out has a favorite genre that can be shared in a graphic novel. I for one love comics with Anti-heroes and Sci-fi/Fantasies. One famous graphic novel that shows the power of illustration is Maus by Art Spiegelman, which illustrates the darkest points of the Holocaust with a perspective of mice (Jews) being suppressed by cats (Nazis).

Children’s literature does an exceptional job of encouraging and motivating students’ writing. One method is showing picture books to students. It allows students to visualize how authors use written language to write appealing and entertaining stories. Activities like drawing an illustration after a book reading and writing out all the details of the illustration will help the student engage in writing without realizing it. Before the children know it writing

Reading develops a person’s creativity. Unlike movies where everything is determined by the producer, writer and director, books allow students to create in their minds how a particular character looks like or imagine how a scene plays out.