Graphic novel on Holocaust chosen for IMS curriculum
Published 10:48 am Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Two new eighth-grade novels recommended by the Middle School Language Arts Team will help prepare students for the rigors of high school. Described by MISD’s director of secondary learning, Michael Schiehser, as “engaging, cognitive, global, critical-thinking novels,” the two books chosen were “Maus,” by Art Spiegelman, and “The Hunger Games,” by Suzanne Collins.
Director Adair Dingle praised the selections. “This is a huge step forward. The books are critically acclaimed and already widely read by the students.”
Indeed, much of the world already knows about “Maus” — a graphic, or what some may call a comic-type book, which is about the Holocaust in very personal terms. The author tells the story of his father and his family in Poland as the Holocaust unfolds. The historical perspective is woven into the life of the Jewish family as their world is torn apart.
It is the combination of the style and its topic that makes the selection of the book unique. At first glance, a cartoon with its main characters depicted as mice, seems like an unsuitable way to present such a tragic and epic event. But the presentation of the material is probably the biggest part of the reason the teachers and administration at Islander Middle School chose the book. It is a serious book about a serious topic presented on many different levels.
The book was proposed by IMS English teacher, Nova Williams. Williams teaches five English classes at the school, both regular and gifted students. She said that the approach of the book represents an extended metaphor. It introduces a form of writing that makes it appealing to students.
The book describes the months and years leading to the Holocaust through the story of an actual survivor, the author’s own father and his family. The book is one of a pair. The book selected for students is the first and ends when the main character comes to the gates of Auschwitz. A second book takes the story from there.
First published in a book in 1973, parts were printed in other publications, then brought together. It has been reprinted many times over.
The book dovetails perfectly into the whole topic of human rights, said Williams. From there we have talked about the Universal Declaration of Human Rights — a list of 30 such rights that are the right of any human being to hold.
Her class has discussed how not everyone has those rights.
Williams said she is pleased to have the resources here to extend learning beyond conventional topics and materials. The students have been engaged in the book, she explained, and many got the second book on their own to read.
“The resources (within the district) are amazing,” said Williams, who taught in New York state before coming here. “Everyone was supportive of the choice.”
IMS teachers are planning on expanding the use of the book next year.
Curriculum choices
For more on how the school district reviews and selects books and curriculum, go to www.misd.k12.wa.us.
