tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8068873.post2065980386860923775..comments2024-03-20T19:40:58.078-05:00Comments on The OF Blog: Using a fantasy book in the classroomLarry Nolenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16001420558511460998noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8068873.post-34682894752598667902008-09-27T08:28:00.000-05:002008-09-27T08:28:00.000-05:00Simon, I have that book on pre-order from Amazon, ...Simon, I have that book on pre-order from Amazon, since it won't be released in the U.S. until late February 2009, but I do agree that Tan is an excellent storyteller/illustrator. <BR/><BR/>Brian,<BR/><BR/>I toyed with the idea of showing some of the early scenes from <I>The Gangs of New York</I> in class to illustrate immigrant life after arriving in the U.S., but that movie is also excellent. Only problem I have is that I have to send out parental notes, etc. just to show anything from an R-rated movie. When I get to World War II/the Holocaust, I'm debating how to incorporate Art Spiegelman's <I>Maus</I> into it, since that story is so powerful, as it focuses also on the aftermath as well as on the actual events.Larry Nolenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16001420558511460998noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8068873.post-88437240345864945392008-09-27T08:03:00.000-05:002008-09-27T08:03:00.000-05:00I love the usage of non traditional material in th...I love the usage of non traditional material in the classroom. Great job.<BR/><BR/>When I was in...middle school I think...a teacher used the immigration portions of The Godfather II to illustrate the harsh realities of Ellis island at the turn of last century. <BR/><BR/>At that age we were much more riveted to the material then if it had been a straight textbook lesson.Brian Lindenmuthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02519203797661128049noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8068873.post-64531838985148288732008-09-27T06:48:00.000-05:002008-09-27T06:48:00.000-05:00wow, what a great idea. I thin the graphic novel f...wow, what a great idea. I thin the graphic novel form has so much power to communicate, especially with lower reading levels these days in school students. And Shaun Tan is a master of depth and communication in his drawings. I love all his work. Have you checked out his latest 'tales from outer suburbia'? It is a fantastic collection of short stories written and illustrated by Tan, and is beautifully executed, and really seems to leap into new areas of interaction of image and text in my opinion. All the stories focous on life in suburbia, and though very playful and lighthearted, touch on some serious topics in quite a deep way. You should definitely check it out :)Sihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05511327186979724348noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8068873.post-52547383617180024702008-09-26T23:25:00.000-05:002008-09-26T23:25:00.000-05:00In a social studies/history class? It's very diff...In a social studies/history class? It's very difficult to work that into the curriculum, to say the least ;) But more generally, the difficulty a teacher would run into in utilizing a fantasy text in a "real world" setting is that much fantasy revolves around a sense of strangeness or estrangement, not as much on connecting directly with elements of the human condition, as expressed in historical or cultural developments. It takes quite a bit of setup and planning for any of that to "connect" with the students. Sadly, it takes almost as much to connect "real" historical events with the present in a way that the majority of students can grasp and take to heart.Larry Nolenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16001420558511460998noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8068873.post-62649379999597716202008-09-26T23:04:00.000-05:002008-09-26T23:04:00.000-05:00Why would you assume fantasy can't have that effec...Why would you assume fantasy can't have that effect on a regular basis?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8068873.post-57849068007109001462008-09-26T22:49:00.000-05:002008-09-26T22:49:00.000-05:00I teach high school juniors who are in regular ed ...I teach high school juniors who are in regular ed classes. What's also cool is how many of my students are immigrants themselves, as they seemed to feel more a part of the discussion then. And yes, you really do need to read Tan's book as soon as possible. The illustrations are so moving, especially when seen as being still shots from a silent movie film strip.Larry Nolenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16001420558511460998noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8068873.post-9868008137628760562008-09-26T22:30:00.000-05:002008-09-26T22:30:00.000-05:00Very cool, Larry. I love when something like that ...Very cool, Larry. I love when something like that sparks genuine reactions from students. What level do you teach?<BR/><BR/>I've been putting off snagging The Arrival, but I'm convinced more than ever that I need to read it.Jason Erik Lundberghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18159887257065611447noreply@blogger.com