Hello. It has been quiet on Perceptive Gaze this Fall. Michelle and I have both started new positions at different schools and are still getting our bearings. Chel transitioned to a K-8 Catholic school, and I am the inaugural History Department Chair at a brand-new, urban, PBL charter school. We both have enjoyed the opportunities for personal and professional growth in the past three months.
One significant difference for me is the students for whom I serve in my new school. Moving from an independent school in the suburbs to a city charter school means no budget, long hours, and confronting many of society’s most significant challenges. My students are diverse, but a majority are poor, Black, and read multiple grades below grade level. They are also curious, spirited, eager, and seeking a voice in the world. As sixth graders, they come to school with many deficits but still have time to apply their strengths towards paving a pathway to a bright future.
Transitioning back into the history classroom has been an exciting development because it affords me the opportunity to build a department with social science, critical thinking skills, cultural competency, and interdisciplinary focus. However, I admit that I miss teaching English. There is nothing better than connecting with students through literature, talking about rich stories and characters, exploring our creative voice through writing, digging deep into authors’ craft, and reading comics. So, how can I still connect with students in a social studies classroom teaching ancient civilizations?
Over the last few months, I have kept a keen eye out for openings to connect to students through comics and build a reading culture that is crucial for student long term success. I started a comics club where I book talk comics every week, lend books from my collection, invite amazing local creators to visit, Skype with out of town creators, and keep a stack of books always available in my bookbag.
It’s working. Slowly a reading culture is growing through comics. Students whom I don’t have in class are now coming to request books or recommendations. Through donations, purchases out of my pocket, and Donors Choose project; I am building our school library’s collection of graphic literature. It is slow and a constant challenge, but the books are flying off the shelves. Just last night, I received an email from a student apologizing for forgetting Lauren Myracle’s Under the Moon: A Cat Woman Tale out at recess where the rain ruined it. He was so engrossed in his comic that he brought it outside the building to finish at recess. That’s a win far more valuable than the cover price of the book.
Stay tuned for more on this journey and how comics become integrated into my ancient civilizations, PBL classroom.
So glad to be able to read your blog! I’ve had to ask one student, in particular, to put aside his Black Panther graphic novel on multiple occasions so we could get going on Science work, but I almost hated to do it. As you so astutely pointed out: kids reading is like babies sleeping. If it’s happening, try everything you can to let it keep happening. He got his science work done a little faster with the prospect of returning to the adventures of Black Panther as an incentive, though, so it all worked out.
I need to get my hands on a copy of that Iliad graphic novel. A certain teenaged girl I know would be ecstatic to get it for Christmas.