To Concerned Parents, Regarding Comic Books

Dear Parents,

            As your child’s 9 English teacher, I wanted take the time to discuss the curriculum I have chosen for your student’s success during this first 9 week marking period. It has been brought to my attention that many parents may be uneasy regarding my choice to incorporate a comic book as a part of the 9^th grade curriculum. These concerns are justifiable and have not fallen on deaf ears; however, I would like to personally explain my reasoning as to how I feel using Ms. Marvel: No Normal, Vol. 1 will be an appropriate and effective tool to help students achieve their Common Core goals, and reach future success.

            At face value, comic books are picture books. Therefore, some parents have legitimate concerns that their child is not being challenged on the right academic level when a text such as this is introduced into the English classroom. Unfortunately, the gap between what students want to read and what teachers are having them read is ever growing. In today’s classroom, comic books are becoming a tool for teachers to engage young adults in the content area with a text that they will enjoy reading. Furthermore, comic books are no longer the simplified texts many parents remember in their youth. In today’s comics, students will be able to “explore current and historical events” (Bucher, Hinton 332) with significant themes such as “issues of acceptance, nonconformity, prejudice, social injustice, coming of age, triumph over adversity, and personal growth” (Bucher, Hinton 332). Studies have also shown that students are more likely to read voluntarily if comic books are offered as one of the choices:

After adding graphic novels to the school library collection, one library media specialist found that graphic novels account for more than 25 percent of the circulation although they make up less than 1 percent of the total collection. Another library media specialist spent $1,000 on graphic novels and saw a 50 percent increase in circulation (Bucher, Hinton 329).

These books that seem like they are no more than basic picture books are actually texts that are packed with content that encourages higher-level thinking and will advocate to close the gap between what the students want to read, and what they are required to read. I believe that it is my job as an English teacher to show students that reading can be enjoyable as well as educational so that my students will choose to read for pleasure long after they have left my classroom.

            Common Core standards also demand that teachers use nontraditional media outlets in their classroom for the optimal learning experience. For this reason, the comic book format meets this requirement by forcing students to analyze artistic choice as well as word choice within the context of one singular text. The comic book format encourages a new teaching technique called UDL (Universal Design for Learning) that works with Common Core and inclusive practices to ensure that every single student is using the different parts of their brain necessary for engagement, representation, action, and expression. In my classroom, Ms. Marvel: No Normal will be used to encourage each student to read, analyze, annotate, and create. Rest assured, your student will be required to do extensive and challenging work that includes lengthy class discussions and specific notes regarding Ms. Marvel: No Normal.

            In regards to the new educational push to use content across different classroom curriculums, I have arranged to have Ms. Marvel: No Normal used as a co-curricular text in the freshman art classroom as well. Mr. M, the freshman art teacher has agreed to start this 9 week marking period with a lesson on establishing and identifying minor details to help students understand the many complexities to be found within this comic book. In this way, starting off the school year with a comic book will actually help establish the connection between the student’s classes and set them up for further success by being able to look at one text in multiple different ways.

            I hope that I have been able to ease any concerns you may have had regarding my choice to incorporate a comic book into my class curriculum. Throughout the semester, please feel free to contact be if you have any further questions or concerns regarding your child’s education in my classroom. I believe that education is a partnership between the teachers and parents and I look forward to hearing any specific input you may have to help me better help your child succeed in my class.

                                                                                                                        Sincerely,

                                                                                                                                    Ms. Taylor

Works Cited

Short, Katherine Bucher and KaaVonia Hinton. Young Adult Literature: Exploration,   

   Evaluation, and Appreciation. 3rd ed. Boston: Pearson, 2014. Print.