Author James Rourke speaks on his comic book curriculum--great for teachers and homeschoolers

Tuesday, October 28, at 6 p.m., local author James Rourke will be speaking on his book, titled “The Comic Book Curriculum: Using Comics to Enhance Learning and Life.” This innovative book shows teachers or parents who home school how to use these ever-popular stories to enliven any classroom. The book does not suggest replacing classic works with comics. What it does offer is ideas and techniques for using comics to generate interest in a topic and for transferring that enthusiasm to more-traditional classroom lessons.

The first section of the book introduces superheroes and the sometimes-surprising depth and thoughtfulness of comics. For example, it shows how the X-Men can be used to illuminate the Civil Rights movement, the dangers of fundamentalism, and the power of diversity. Similar treatment is afforded other popular characters such as Batman and Superman, and curriculum connections are made to topics that include the struggle between freedom and security, Norse mythology, the Holocaust, and nuclear disarmament. The second part of the book offers specific tools that will help teachers use comics as a welcome—and effective—doorway to learning.

James Rourke has a Doctorate in Education, and has been a history teacher in Norwich, CT for 19 years.
He is the author of a Young Adult fantasy novel, as well as another nonfiction book on teaching, titled “From My Classroom to Yours: Reflections on Teaching.”

Programs at the library are free, open to the public, and handicapped accessible.