10 April 2011

Graphic Novels...


I am thinking of teaching a graphic novel unit sometime this year, perhaps even next term, but it is finding one that the students are really going to get into and enjoy. I am currently reading "Chew, Volume 1: Taster's Choice" by John Layman and Rob Guillory. I am enjoying it much more than I thought I would.

I am not resistant or reluctant to new methods of getting the students to learn the knowledge that they need to be successful in their post-school endeavours. However, I do envisage that there may be some interesting discussions about the value of using "comics" to teach English and literacy.

I used a graphic novel version of Macbeth once to teach a Year 9 English class where there was a variety of literacy skills presented. The key to teaching a graphic novel is very much ensuring that everyone is involved and providing extension activities for those who find the graphic novel format an easy alternative to the classic "here's a novel, now read it" method. Yet, my experience tells me to date that no matter what one chooses there is always going to be myriad of learning styles. Thus some are going to love the graphic novel and others are going to hate it.

Any suggestions on how to teach the graphic novel as a unit of work for years 9 or 10 will be gladly received. I will be sure to post updates on how the unit unravels (in both the positive and negative senses or the word).

2 comments:

Harry Nizam said...

Hi Rob,

Your students are very lucky to have a teacher who cares so much about their learning development.
Their parents would surely be happy.

Rob Baiton said...

@ Harry...

Hmmm!

I am working in a school where it is a daily struggle to convince students that there is value in completing all six years of their secondary education.

This is not a challenge because of intellectual or ability concerns. This is a challenge because most have the intellect and the ability to succeed at school but the vast majority of them believe that there futures are in the town and on the farms where they come from and that a Year 12 education is not going to change that.

It is a challenge that I relish and it is a challenge that I am confident of getting the students to relish as well.