Blog 1

I do not think I am very familiar with graphic novels. I have read quite of few books back in middle and high school but I do not know whether they were considered a graphic novel or not. It will be great to learn and hear today what is considered a graphic novel and how it can be useful for the secondary English language arts classroom. I think that as teachers we need to supply students with a wide range of literature. This can show students that literature does not mean one single thing and can broaden their idea of literature. By integrating various types of books inside an English language arts classroom will help students develop visual literacy skills as well. I believe that graphic novels would help student’s learning English as their second language because it provides visual art along with language. This would emphasize or ease what the story plot is about. I do recall that as an elementary ESL student I preferred to read books that had pictures in them because it decreased my reading anxiety. I recall reading Captain Underpants and this other chapter book with a girl named Ramona. As I continued to learn English and understand it, I slowly moved to chapter books that did not have any visual aid. I am excited to learn how I can integrate graphic novels in the high school level. I do not think it would be silly to use graphic novels at the high school level because it may appeal to the students. I think this would give students the opportunity to possible make their own graphic novel and a chance for creative writing.