Help me give my students comic books for my Heroes and Villains in Literature class. These comic books inspire reluctant readers in my classroom as they are high interest and pair words with vibrant images.
My 12th grade students are part of a small school district in metro Detroit. My students learn in one of the most culturally diverse high schools in Michigan. This diversity is what makes the school strong and unique, and a place where learning occurs in and out of the classroom. My students enjoy sharing their diverse experiences with their peers, and recognize that though their life experiences may vary, they are more alike than different. One of the commonalities that exists among my students is their significant need for resources, such as school supplies. Most of my students are from low income homes and receive free/reduced lunch. The need of my students may be great, but their desire to learn is greater.
My Project
I teach a 12th grade English class called Heroes and Villains in Literature. This class examines the concept of the hero's journey in various forms of literature, including comic books, graphic novels, and traditional novels. These comic books will allow me to provide my students with choice in their learning by enabling them to select the text they wish to read and work with in the classroom. Comic books are a high interest form of literature that pair vibrant images with language to create meaning. There is a much to learn from comic books. Comic books are a great medium to teach New Media Literacy, essential reading skills for the 21st century learner. Young people today often encounter graphics and words online that inform, explain, and persuade. Yet, not all young people necessarily recognize the important messages created by these words and graphics. These comic books will help engage students in learning relevant reading skills using a high interest medium. These engaging comic books will also help students analyze the artistry and craft and structure of storytelling.
My reluctant readers will especially benefit from these comic books because they are less intimidating than other forms of literature.
The images are inviting and the text is organized in a way that allows readers to gain meaning one panel at a time, making the story more accessible to them. As such, students will be more apt to engage in activities related to reading. Students will be empowered to participate in literature circles and share their ideas. In addition to literature circles, students will participate in literary analysis activities and story-writing activities using these comic books as mentor texts.
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