I actually never really wanted a blog. I didn't even want a web site. At first, I mostly didn't want piles of paper all over my classroom. Then, someone used the words "paperless classroom" to me, and I immediately thought, "I want one!" I didn't really think about what that meant, in practical terms.
I spent some time with my web designer (ie, a teenager I know), working on my site. We mostly talked about cool pictures, templates, and background patterns. I didn't really think about how this site would be used in an actual classroom. My bad, as they say.
So... one week in and Chris and I are buried under an avalanche of student email. Clearly, we needed to reconsider the way we use computers. Twitter (sorry!) for warm-ups and reflections, and now the blogs.
Why the blogs? Because we need records of what texts we read, and what was important in the texts. We need to remember what we learned, loved, hated, didn't understand, connected to, and so on.
And so, these blogs. If you are reading this blog, you are lucky enough to be taking Graphic Novels. In your introductory blog, tell us something about who you are as a reader of graphic novels, and what you hope to get out of this class. Responding with "a credit" is a terrible answer. Don't use it.
The blogs will all be linked to the class website, and you'll have opportunities to read and respond to each others' writing. This writing is public; think and revise before you publish.
This is a picture of Tony Chew, from Chew. He's probably my favorite graphic novel character. He's an an FDA agent who solves crimes by getting psychic impressions by eating things, including people. People are always trying to get him to eat disgusting things, or are horrified when they see him eating horrible things. He isn't thrilled about his "superpower," and is often embarrassed by what he can learn from biting a line cook.
