"WHAT MAKES THE BAD TIMES UNIQUE ?
THE BAD TIMES is the first graphic novel to be produced on the topic of the Great Hunger. Although it is aimed at young readers, like all graphic novels, it can be read and appreciated by people aged from 8 to 80.
More than simply telling a good story based on a tragic event in Irish history, THE BAD TIMES contains many teachable and relatable moments that can introduce young people to issues that are relevant today - concerning social justice, human rights, emigration and dislocation, and love and humanity in the midst of catastrophe.
To assist educators, a number of key curriculum questions have been created by Dr. Anne Dichele of Quinnipiac University and can be found HERE. Additionally, historical background and primary sources have been provided by Professor Christine Kinealy."
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Published Online: February 29, 2012
Published in Print: February 29, 2012, as Reading Fiction Whole
Reading Fiction Whole
English teacher Ariel Sacks believes it's important to lead students to make their own discoveries in literature.
-Emile Wamsteker
A language arts teacher uses a 'whole novels' approach to give her students an authentic literary experience.
By Ariel Sacks
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Literary fiction is an art that seeks to create an immersive experience for the reader, but we often don't approach it that way with our students. We parcel out books in pieces and ask students to analyze them along the way without the ability to understand a work in its entirety. This is sort of like asking students to interpret a corner of a painting. Without the entire context, it lacks meaning and can become frustrating."
"As states across the country implement broad changes in curriculum from kindergarten through high school, English teachers worry that they will have to replace the dog-eared novels they love with historical documents and nonfiction texts."
Introduction to Multimedia ... An important re when considering the CCSS ELA and the term 'multimedia' beginning in Grade 5:
RL.5.7 Analyze how visual and multimedia elements contribute to the meaning, tone, or beauty of a text (e.g., graphic novel, multimedia presentation of fiction, folktale, myth, poem)."