Graphic Novels in the classroom

I've already talked about this in some of my classes: using graphic novels in the classroom.

I plan on being an English teacher for grades 7-12. Now that our society is becoming more technological, the newer generations are more visual. There's so much that kids can do these days with TV, video games and movies, and they're used to multitasking even when they are relaxing. In order to properly educate kids, we need to upgrade the curriculum to reach their level of interaction, while still maintaining ELA and NYS English teaching standards. I'm sure most of you have experience with things like the effects of media through journalism and propaganda, looking at posters, newspaper articles and some books (like Animal Farm by George Orwell) in you're English class. A current issue that is still trying to wriggle its way in the classroom is the use of graphic novels: books with pictures. They're even starting to come out with specific how-to books for teachers and using graphic novels in the classroom.

A common argument is that students are at a disadvantage with all the visuals because they're missing so much detail that could be in a book. A lot of people call them "comic books," but they're not called that for a reason. Comic books are for more entertainment and artistic value. Even the thickness is different- comic books are thin and made of cheap paper, where as graphic novels are manufactured like a paper back novel. What's more is that the biggest concern is teaching students how to become better writers. That's why using graphic novels could be helpful: you formulate a lesson plan to describe what they see in the picture. First start out with the obvious. Then make the sentences more compound, adding another verb. Do this five times in a row, and the students can see their writing skills evolve and improve their thinking process. And obviously, it helps visual learners. It not like you're only using graphic novels to teach, its ok to use them once in a while as long as you use "real" books. Here are some graphic novels that I know have been used in the classroom:


This was used in Nisky High school. Its a memoir about the struggles of a "man" during the second world war and the holocaust. I haven't read this yet, but it's pretty popular.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maus


I'm actually reading this one right now, Greg had to read it for one of his classes in ACP. Its about a little girl who grew up in Iran during the revolution and the effects of Arabic invasion and Iraqi attacks. There are a few things that could be a little. . . mature for highschoolers, it can get pretty graphic describing prison tourture and showing a man peeing on another's back after a whipping, the use of the f-word in one case. I haven't finished it yet but schools are so strict on censorship that this may need the district's OK before it's allowed into the classroom. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Persepolis_(graphic_novel)


Ok, who doesn't know this one? . . . Well ok, I haven't read it but at least I've heard of it, and I know there's been a film adaption, like many other books/graphic novels. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/V_for_vendetta


I'm guilty of not reading this one too, and I haven't seen the movie either. I prefer to read books first before I see the film adaption. This book is expensive, its like 40 bucks in Borders, so I haven't bought it yet. This might be a bit too mature for highschoolers to read. I know this has been used in the classroom, but only on the college level. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Watchmen

If you guys know of any others, let me know, I'll put them here :)