What it is: Create your own comic strips with this free interactive web site. Decide how many panels you want (2, 3, or 4), choose two characters. From there, you can choose the characters' emotions, resize them in the panels, add a talk or thought balloon and start writing.
How to use: Individuals can make up a 4 panel story dialog between two characters, or partners can collaborate by taking over one of the two characters in each panel. Topics should follow your curriculum - create one story showing someone bullying and another story showing the same situation, but with a better resolution for all. Have the two characters discuss facts that have been researched about an animal, or a person, or an event. Give a book report via the comic strip. Have the two characters discuss how to solve a math problem, or to present a story problem to be solved. Use as an evaluation on a class activity or as an assessment following a science experiment. The sky is the limit! When finished, you can print and/or email the comic to yourself to save.
Tip 1: Prepare a storyboard sheet and let students draw and write, revise and edit BEFORE sitting down at the computer.
Tip 2: Scroll to the bottom of the page for Story Ideas and a link to a Writing Prompt blog.
What it is: What fun! This site allows you to sequence short clips from East Indian movies and add your own subtitles.
How to use: Not as flexible as the comix site, but students could still have some educational fun here. You may want to limit the number of clips in each movie (otherwise they could turn into a 1-hour full-feature film. Look at your curriculum for movie topics - reading response to a story, math story problem, research facts, creative writing.
In a one or two computer classroom, you might want to pair students to write and create their adventures. If you have access to a mobile lab or computer lab, each student can create their own movie. Movies are not printable - you can email a link to each movie. Save and you can view at any time.
Tip 1: This project will move a lot faster if you have students fill in a storyboard before accessing the site.
