D’oh! Using The Simpsons to Improve Student Response to Literature

Students in Ginger M. Eikmeier’s high school classes link themes and terms from their readings to episodes of The Simpsons. Because students are already familiar with The Simpsons, Eikmeier believes that using the show supports students’ comprehension and retention by activating prior knowledge. Additionally, it shows students that she cares about their interests when designing the curriculum.