miamiherald.com— These are not your father's comic books. Superman and Wonder Woman, yes; but also graphic novel editions of the works of Shakespeare, and many classics -- The Red Badge of Courage, Beowulf, Greek myths, the Adventures of Robin Hood, even Canterbury Tales.
Mar 23, 2008View in Crawl 4
I used comics in my elementary classroom. The students were taught the narrative structure of problem/solution in a few frames. They then had to create their own comics. It was a lot of fun and very motivational. They traded the comics they made and had to read other students'.
It's a good idea for those who don't want to read, but I wonder if it's limiting at all to ones creativity. The allure of a novel is that you imagine all the images in your own way, wheras a comic lays them out for you. Both ways are fine if you're just learning to read, but I can't help but wonder.Also, Dash is the most awesome name for a kid I've heard recently.
I know you're not suggesting that dyslexia is a "dumb" persons problem. Some with dyslexia are thought dumb and some become dumb due to the hardships they have to overcome to be on a "normal" level -meaning it may be too hard for them to learn to read or do math or what have you. It's true we need to better special Ed classes and make the teachers be more passionate. But also, using comics as a tool even for "normal" kids is a great way to open the door to reading as a whole. Show them the world of imagination and then let them explore further. Kids seem to not be as interested in imagination (and that is key in reading) any longer, with toys that do everything for you and the like. I will read the story, thanks
Classics Illustrated was an excellent launching point for many young readers to explore the full-length novels on which the comics are based. They accomplished something that many teachers and parents fail to achieve despite threats and punishments. Early readers read without imagination. Truly. That's why there are so many pictures in children's books. Imagination and the ability to visualize a scene from the written word is something that is an acquired talent. It can take off quickly in some, but never come to fruition in others, even through adulthood.Once the children can see that there is something behind the dense blocks of words (without pictures), and they have a mind's eye picture of it, growing to read other books become easier with every book.
Before, I could read. We were interested in comics. My older sister would read them and then we would act out the scenes. It was before Sponge Bob. What can I say.
As a parent I'd give a lot to have my children just pick up a book and read for fun. So I've bought them Manga Shakespeare and just subscribed to the new issues of Classics Illustrated. It's really rather odd, as they prefer the 'retro' artwork. Probably as it's all full colour. In any event, they read them, and that's what counts. And loan them to friends. And take them to school.The new versions have glossy paper and are books rather than comics, but hey :-) it's the stories we are interested in.
greeneyedmamaMar 23, 2008
I used comics in my elementary classroom. The students were taught the narrative structure of problem/solution in a few frames. They then had to create their own comics. It was a lot of fun and very motivational. They traded the comics they made and had to read other students'.
funnickMar 23, 2008
In college I had to write two papers on the Maus 1 & 2 books by Art Spiegelman. Those were great.
stytheMar 23, 2008
It's a good idea for those who don't want to read, but I wonder if it's limiting at all to ones creativity. The allure of a novel is that you imagine all the images in your own way, wheras a comic lays them out for you. Both ways are fine if you're just learning to read, but I can't help but wonder.Also, Dash is the most awesome name for a kid I've heard recently.
kedohmenMar 23, 2008
I know you're not suggesting that dyslexia is a "dumb" persons problem. Some with dyslexia are thought dumb and some become dumb due to the hardships they have to overcome to be on a "normal" level -meaning it may be too hard for them to learn to read or do math or what have you. It's true we need to better special Ed classes and make the teachers be more passionate. But also, using comics as a tool even for "normal" kids is a great way to open the door to reading as a whole. Show them the world of imagination and then let them explore further. Kids seem to not be as interested in imagination (and that is key in reading) any longer, with toys that do everything for you and the like. I will read the story, thanks
religionofpeaceMar 24, 2008
Classics Illustrated was an excellent launching point for many young readers to explore the full-length novels on which the comics are based. They accomplished something that many teachers and parents fail to achieve despite threats and punishments. Early readers read without imagination. Truly. That's why there are so many pictures in children's books. Imagination and the ability to visualize a scene from the written word is something that is an acquired talent. It can take off quickly in some, but never come to fruition in others, even through adulthood.Once the children can see that there is something behind the dense blocks of words (without pictures), and they have a mind's eye picture of it, growing to read other books become easier with every book.
larenelsMar 24, 2008
Before, I could read. We were interested in comics. My older sister would read them and then we would act out the scenes. It was before Sponge Bob. What can I say.
bosssmileyApr 10, 2008
"Is this a dagger I see before me, bub?"
aristotle111Feb 4, 2009
As a parent I'd give a lot to have my children just pick up a book and read for fun. So I've bought them Manga Shakespeare and just subscribed to the new issues of Classics Illustrated. It's really rather odd, as they prefer the 'retro' artwork. Probably as it's all full colour. In any event, they read them, and that's what counts. And loan them to friends. And take them to school.The new versions have glossy paper and are books rather than comics, but hey :-) it's the stories we are interested in.
aristotle111Feb 4, 2009
They are back www.classicsillustrated.co.uk and also in the US and South Africa I think. Very retro and my kids love them.
Closed AccountMay 18, 2011
Great Idea - especially the Red Robin Comic Book