One of my favorite units to teach is our unit that covers WWII and the Holocaust. Students often find themselves emotionally invested in the events they may be hearing about the first time. The emotions are certainly heavy and overwhelming for middle school students. They find themselves wanting to understand. That's where this graphic novel comes in.
Maus presents the event in not only a historically accurate way, but also in a relatable, thought-provoking fashion. Students, well, students at the age group I teach are proving to be reluctant readers (or they are pretending to be). As Maus is a graphic novel, it invites those reluctant readers in and it refuses to alienate the hardcore reader. It brings to life a truly horrific event and asks students to make connections. I want to use it as yet another way to discuss the event and interest young readers in not only literature but history as well.
About my class
One of my favorite units to teach is our unit that covers WWII and the Holocaust. Students often find themselves emotionally invested in the events they may be hearing about the first time. The emotions are certainly heavy and overwhelming for middle school students. They find themselves wanting to understand. That's where this graphic novel comes in.
Maus presents the event in not only a historically accurate way, but also in a relatable, thought-provoking fashion. Students, well, students at the age group I teach are proving to be reluctant readers (or they are pretending to be). As Maus is a graphic novel, it invites those reluctant readers in and it refuses to alienate the hardcore reader. It brings to life a truly horrific event and asks students to make connections. I want to use it as yet another way to discuss the event and interest young readers in not only literature but history as well.