Twilight and Learning?

I’m working each week to find my “voice” as I brainstorm and contribute to this blog. I thought about the various topics that I’ve encountered this week through work, school, and my personal life one sticks out in my mind… “Twilight!”

Friday night my family and I ventured to the mall to be one of the first to own the release of the “Twilight” DVD. This fictional fantasy started over a year ago with my 12 year old daughter, Zoë. She found the first book and in no time had read all four in the series. Little did we know the REST of America was, too. Zoë read the entire series not just one, but two more times. She saved her allowance for weeks just for Twilight merchandise. She counted down months until the release of the Twilight film, and yes, was there on opening night to see it. Yes, she is officially obsessed.

Yet she keeps going back to the books and is pretty critical of the film. She comments, in detail, about how the characters are not ‘accurate’ in the movie. Zoë also notes that many events were changed just for the movie. I have encouraged her to consider most of popular media this way. Copyright and artists’ rights have also come up as a result of the Twilight mania. Zoe was sad to learn that because of a copyright breach, Stephanie Meyer may not finish the series with a final book. The author took the time to write to her fans and explained how the motivation diminished along with the secrets of her draft. Read her blog entry for her thoughts and a copy of the draft of the unfinished final book.

There have been so many “lessons” surrounding Zoe’s journey with Twilight. From Art to Music to Copyright to Technology to Social Issues to Economics and more. I wonder if teachers are using Twilight as an opportunity to teach their students? I can attest that there are at least two hundred middle school aged fans in Gainesville, Florida who would respond to lessons surrounding Twilight. I know since they were in line with us until 12:01, March 21st for the DVD.