Graphic Novels in the Classroom
Using graphic novels in the classroom seems like a no-brainer to
me. We live in a time where students are constantly looking at their phones,
playing games on their phones or iPad, even watching TV from these devices. Our
students are very visual people. When they need to find an answer to something,
that answer is literally within arms reach by simply googling the question and
reading the quick answer that pops up. I think reading graphic novels would be
a great way to start the school year, after a good majority of students have
likely not gone anywhere near a book over summer break. The graphic novel would
be a great way to get students back into the flow of reading, while breaking
the stigma that “books suck.”
Graphic novels have numerous proven benefits in the classroom. When
it comes to struggling readers, a graphic novel can provide students with the
support they need to improve their reading abilities. Students who are strong
readers will benefit from a graphic novel because the graphics provide a new
way of looking at a text. Graphic novels have also been known the help students
who have dyslexia and have trouble reading. By looking at the illustrations,
students with dyslexia are able to gain context clues that help them work
through the text if they are struggling. Graphic novels also help ELL readers.
A graphic novel gives an illustration that gives them a deeper understanding of
the cultures speech and cultural norms.
Graphic novels create a new and exciting way for students to
learn writing skills and reading skills. Even students who excel at reading
will benefit from the ways a graphic novel can efficiently teach writing
skills.
Finally, graphic novels provide an entry point for complex
texts. Some books have difficult themes, which creates a struggle for the students
to make connections. By incorporating a graphic novel with the reading of a
novel, students’ ability to comprehend the text increases and allows them to
visualize the events going on in the text.
Critics argue that graphic novels are not true literature. I
completely disagree, and the research proves that their use in the classroom is
beneficial. Graphic novels may not be classical literature, but it is still literature. Graphic novels should not replace classic literature completely; rather, it
should be incorporated alongside it. Why can’t we have both?
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