Graphic Novels in the Classroom

Are there particular subjects that are better for using graphic novels?

I found this article to be extremely eye opening.  At first I was not sure what exactly graphic novels were.  I learned that graphic novels are pieces of work in which the story is conveyed through the use of comics.  Growing up, I never read comic books.  I had a hard time understanding the meaning behind them.  Gene Yang talks about the pros to graphic novels in the classroom.  She spoke about how graphic novels are visuals.  They are great for students who are visual learners and need to look at something in order to understand it.  They have also found great success with ELL students.  Graphic novels offer a new approach to learning.  

I thought it was very interesting when she said, "Graphic novels have a visual permanence to them.  Time progresses only as quickly as your eyes move across the page."  You are able to take your time when reading graphic novels and really analyze each particular comic.  They also keep students attention.  

I didn't realize until the end that what I was reading was actually a graphic novel! I really enjoyed reading it and seeing what was going to happen next.  I believe that these are a great way to teach a new topic in a classroom.  It keeps students intrigued and excited about the new topic.  It lets students see a whole different side to a topic.  I think that I will use graphic novels in my own classroom one day.  They are a great way to introduce a new topic.    

"Rube Goldberg- Inspired Drawings of How Art is Made"

What other questions could an art teacher ask their students to illustrate?           

      I found this approach to art as described in the article, to be extremely eye-opening and unique. Many students walk into art class feeling discouraged, unenthusiastic, and uninterested. They often say the three words, "I can't draw." Author Thomas A. Oakley expresses the idea that people are not born with the knowledge on how to draw. It is a learned behavior, just like any other skill. Drawing is something that one must work at in order to improve. Many people believe that they can't draw so they automatically give up.  

              Thomas Oakley gave his students an assignment that I thought was very unique.  He took a whole new different approach to how students think of art. The students all had to illustrate the process of how art is created. I believe that this was a very good idea, because it shows that every person interprets art in a different way. The results showed the diversity of how the students think of art. This is not only a good assignment for students who are discouraged when it comes to art, but for students who enjoy art. It is a way for students to think, look, and learn about art in a different way. It is also interesting for students to learn what their peers think about it.