Reflection on Comics in the Classroom

We were recently told to create a comic that relates to our content area.

I used the website Toon-Do, because our teacher said it was one of her favorites.
This website is fairly simple to use, but it got kind of frustrating because I couldn't make the small changes that I wanted to very easily, and unless you're really really into cartoons, you wouldn't want to spend hours fine -tuning stuff like this. However, I did use the website to complete my comic and here it is:

This comic strip above was created using toon-do.com a comic strip program introduced by my Ed Tech teacher. This strip is a play on learning foreign languages because my area of concentration is Modern Foreign Language, and English as a Second Language.

So, the website does work, however I feel like if I were to use comic strips in the classroom I would search for a website that fit my needs a little better.

However, I feel like implementing comics in the classroom could be done a variety of ways. Students could make comics introducing the spelling words for the week, or a new idea that they have learned, etc. Overall, i'm not big on comics and never have been but I feel like kids might get a kick out of using them in the classroom.
Here are some more resources that are for creating comics in the classroom from my teacher's website http://spring11ded318.cdkedplace.info/SPRING_2011/Week_8.html

Resources for Using Comics in the Classroom

These resources are all valuable sources of information, tools, community, and more to help you use comics in your classroom.

1. 1.Comics in the Classroom. This site is all about promoting the use of comics in the classroom and includes news and reviews, lesson plans, forums, a blog, and much more.
2. 2.Teachingcomics.org. This organization helps promote quality teaching through comics and offers such resources as lesson plans, study guides, handouts, connections with other teachers, and featured schools using comics in the classroom.
3. 3.Comics in Education. This website is the final project for a teacher working on his Master’s degree and includes many resources for using comics in school.
4. 4.Drawing Cartoons Theme Page. This site offers tons of links to resources ranging from creating cartoons to learning about the profession of cartoonist to teacher resources.
5. 5.Toon Books. Keep abreast of the latest comic and graphic novels for emerging readers and also find lesson plans here.
6. 6.Educational Comic Books for the Classroom. This helpful article includes a list of comic books for elementary aged children, tips for using comics in the classroom, and resources for teachers.
7. 7.Comic Books as Curriculum. This interview with Richard Jenkins, co-author of Comics in Your Curriculum, offers a peek at the book written to help teachers learn how to incorporate comics into their lessons.
   
   
   Tools
   
   Whether you or your students will be making comics in the class, check out these tools to help you get creative.
   1. 1.Comic Creator. Supply the information you want in this tool that provides people, animals, thought and speech bubbles, props, and backdrops.
   2. 2.How to Use Comic Life in the Classroom. This article describes how to use Comic Life, an inexpensive comic generator, to create a book report for class.
   3. 3.Tech Module: Using Comic Life in the Classroom. Another article about using Comic Life in the classroom, this one also includes several lesson plans utilizing this program.
   4. 4.Howtoons. These comics from Instructables are specifically for teaching children how to do lots of things. These comics make a great supplement to a hands-on lesson.
   5. 5.Make Beliefs Comix. This tool allows students to create comic strips and provides plenty of options for customizing their strips. There is also a section for teacher resources here.
   6. 6.Pixton. Students can create their comic strip here or you can select Pixton for Schools for an education-oriented experience that brings the entire class together on projects.
   7. 7.Bitstrip. Students can browse through other people’s comics and create their own at this site.
   8. 8.ToonDoo. This comic strip generator allows students to create their own comics. Teachers should check the site for appropriate content as it is not specifically an education site.
   9. 9.ArtisanCam. Among the many art projects available here, students can also create comics with this tool.
   10. 10.PikiKids. After uploading images, students can choose their layout, add speech bubbles, and more to create fun comics.
   11. 11.BeFunky. Turn digital photos into digital comics and more with this free tool.
   12. 12.Comiqs. Use templates or design your own images with this cartoon generator that provides results in a slide show that can even be put on a class blog or website.

Creative Ways to Use Comics in the Classroom

These resources offer great ways to use comics in the classroom.

1. 1.The Chess Comic. A sister site to Comics in the Classroom, this site teaches the game of chess through comics.
2. 2.Comics and the Smithsonian: A Beautiful Union of Science Curriculum. Learn about this resource through the Smithsonian’s website that incorporates comics into science lessons.
3. 3.Bringing Comics into the Classroom. This article is written by a college instructor who describes his class on Comic Books as Literature and, while aimed at older students, offers insight into how literature can be taught through comics.
4. 4.The comic book assignment was a hit!. This teacher shares her experience of using a comic book assignment as a final evaluation for high school students. She shares both the positive aspects and her learning points.
5. 5.Checking Out Comic Life. This veteran teacher describes how she plans to use Comic Life with her kindergartners.
6. 6.In the Classroom: Alice in Comic Land. This teacher describes how she used comics while teaching Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. She also includes links for teaching Shaun Tan’s The Arrival.
   
   
   Lesson Plans for Elementary
   
   Elementary teachers will enjoy these great lesson plans designed specifically for early learners.
   1. 1.Comics in the Classroom as an Introduction to Genre Study. Perfect for 3rd-5th graders, this lesson helps students understand the genre of comics through examining and creating comics.
   2. 2.Comic-Strip Challenge. Teach sequencing by using comic strips in this lesson appropriate for grades 2-5.
   3. 3.Creative Writing Using Comics. Teach creative writing to 4th through 8th graders with this lesson that also expands to include vocabulary and a group activity.
   4. 4.Learning Storytelling Elements the Fun Way!-A Visual Storytelling Lesson Using Comics. Second and third graders can practice storytelling and sequencing with this lesson.
   5. 5.Buzz! Whiz! Bang! Using Comic Books to Teach Onomatopoeia. Great for grades 3-5, this four-part lesson lets students create their own comic strip while exploring onomatopoeia.
   6. 6.Comics in the Classroom as an Introduction to Narrative Structure. Sequencing, story-telling, and plotting are all part of this lesson appropriate for 3rd-5th graders.
   7. 7.Creating Comic Strips. Students in 4th through 6th grade can learn about sequencing, drawing, and humor with this lesson.
   8. 8.Make Family Comic Strips. Appropriate for grades 2-5, this lesson guides students through creating a comic strip depicting a funny event from their family.
   9. 9.Story Switch Comics. For learners in 1st-3rd, this lesson allows students to change the problem in a familiar story and draw it in a cartoon.
   10. 10.Book Report Alternative: Examining Story Elements Using Story Map Comic Strips. Students will independently and as a group read a text, identify elements of the story, then create a comic strip to report what they learned.
   11. 11.Gabbing About Garfield: Conversing About Texts With Comic Creator. Students play an online sequencing game using Garfield comics, discuss the elements of comic strips, and create their own.
   12. 12.To, Too, or Two: Developing an Understanding of Homophones. After studying homophones, students will create a skit acting out the homophones, then convert their skit to a comic strip.