Comics
Kids love comics, so why not use them in English class? Students can use comics to retell a story, demonstrate understanding of a concept, or to publish a story they've written. It's a great alternative to a lengthy paper or written piece. There are some great comic strip generators available online. The two I use the most are:
- ReadWriteThink's comic creator - this program is very limited, but students can create some fun comics with it. There is no need to sign up or enter any personal information. Students just need to use it and print their comic.
Comic Creator example
Comic Creator is great for beginners because it is simple to use. There are six different backgrounds (including a blank), several characters, many objects, and speech/thought bubbles. The downside? The characters are limited and cannot be manipulated in any way. Students' comic strips are also limited to 1, 2, 3, or 6 frames.
- Strip Generator - this site requires a username to save students' work, but comics can be printed without any login at all. There are many more choices of characters, objects, and speech bubbles, but characters have a "funky" look to them (see example). It is more flexible than the Comic Creator, too, and has characters, as well as "beings" that can be added. Another plus? Characters can be resized to show detail or perspective. My students like this site more than Comic Creator, but our internet filter often blocks the Java used to run it.
Make Beliefs Comix
Make Beliefs Comix is a good comic site for any age group. Students are limited to three panels at a time, but students can use the panel prompt "to be continued" and continue another three panels.
Make Beliefs Comix is a good comic site for any age group. Students are limited to three panels at a time, but students can use the panel prompt "to be continued" and continue another three panels.
When students are done choosing characters, dialogue, objects, etc., they click "next." Students can print a copy as well as email their comic to someone else. Make Beliefs Comix does not store work, so it's important to remind students to print out a copy before continuing or exiting.
Make Beliefs Comix also has a list of ideas for educators on how to use comics in the classroom.
Make Beliefs Comix also has a list of ideas for educators on how to use comics in the classroom.
Want more comic ideas? Check out this blog article from Technology Tidbits: Thoughts of a Cyberhero. Free Technology for Teachers, another fantastic tech blog, also posted this article on sites for creating comics.
The following slide presentation was written by S. Hendy, author of Digital Tools for Teachers. (Information found on Free Technology for Teachers blog). The presentation is available on Slideshare.
The following slide presentation was written by S. Hendy, author of Digital Tools for Teachers. (Information found on Free Technology for Teachers blog). The presentation is available on Slideshare.
Tap Into The World Of Comics
View more presentations from S. Hendy.