Twilight is a novel I had been dreading since it first came out. I saw the movie with a friend of my who had read the series and absolutely loved it. I thought what the hell I’ll go see the movie since I live vampire movies and girl movies on occasion. I can honestly say that after I left the theater I wished to say as far away from the series as humanly possible. I was so animate about this that when I saw the required reading for this class and found Twilight on the list I was quite annoyed to say the least and my friends thought it was the funnies thing alive.

Three weeks ago I decided to read the dreaded book to get it over with so I could spend more time rereading Harry Potter. I read the book in one long weekend where I spend every other chapter complaining to my husband about the horrible writing and dreadful main character, Ella. I have never been a fan of wining characters or those who complain in every other sentence, which is a common occurrence in this book.

When I have thought about the book I’ve tried to decide if the story plot was written in another way would I like it and continue reading it? She does have a great way of weaving the characters together; I would have to say the only good thing in this book is the complexity of the characters, which was discussed in the article and probably one of the reasons why it is such a popular book for YA.

Since I’m working to becoming an English teacher I probably should read the other books since my students mostly will already, though I’m finding it very difficult to really want too. I have agreed to go see New Moon with my friend because I figured two hours of pain is better then a weekend of reading it on my own and in the same amount of pain.

Teaching with a Graphic Novel

Research Questions:

1. Being a newly acknowledged literary type will a teacher be able to find enough outside sources to help effectively teach in class that the administrators will support?

2. Can the students find the same literary themes in a graphic novel so you wouldn't necessarily have to use a classic or will the sudents get distracted by the simplistic first impression of a graphic novel?

Sources:

Weiner, Stephen. "Show, Don't Tell: Graphic Novels in the Classroom" Bold Books for Innovative Teaching"

Fisher, Douglas & Nancy Frey "Using Graphic Novels, Anime, and the Internet in an Urban High School" Popular Culture

I have two other sources (book anther article) but I did not bring them to class today.

Other then starting some preliminary searching I have not really found an exact direction. I work more all at once then take two days to review and adjust.

I really have enjoyed the two graphic novels in class as well as a few I've looked at previous to this class and I had never really thought to teach them in a classroom. If I can use one of these novel types to help get my students into reading and creative writing it would be so helpful. My only concern in being a new teacher would be to get the backing from the administration and personally be able to do them justice without leaving something out of the curriculum.