Cosmic Comics

 Cosmic Comics

Planning

• Decide the approximate time frame for students to engage in this activity

• Decide on the type of comic strip generator to be used

• Discuss with teachers if there are any cross-curricular connections that can be used while engaging in this activity

Promotion

• Verbal promotion among teachers to aid in tying in cross-curricular material

• Verbal promotion among students 

• Create a flyer and/or add information to social media websites

Preparations

• Collect various short age-appropriate comic books or comic strips to share with students

• Ensure accessibility to the correct amount of operating computers or Chromebooks for students 

• Gather information about how comic books or comic strips are created

• Verify and become familiar with how the comic strip generator will be used (including the need to register or log in to the website) and determine if students will be able to download a copy or if the comic strip created must be virtual

Procedures

• Day 1

• Share with students a few comic strips

• Discuss what elements a comic strip has (framing, text bubbles, images) and why people may like them

• Share with students that they will be making their own comic strips and to begin thinking of ideas

• This would need to include what type of characters, plot, setting, etc.

• Provide students with paper to begin planning out their comic strip story

• Day 2

• Read some comic strips to students

• Discuss the elements they find appealing

• Have students share some of the ideas they came up with for their own comic strips

• Show students a video from Make Beliefs Comix on how to use the program to create their own comic strip 

• Note: Pixton is another excellent comic generator but isn’t free  

• Allow students time to finish planning their comic strip

• Day 3

• Provide students access to desktops or Chromebooks to begin creating their comic strips.

• Students will need to log in to Make Beliefs Comix using their school email

• Allow students time to become familiar with the program options. 

• If possible, lead students through the creation process again by displaying the screen on an interactive whiteboard. 

• Students may begin creating their own comic strips once comfortable navigating the program. 

• Day 4

• Provide students access to desktops or Chromebooks to continue creating their comic strips.

• Assist in accessing the website if necessary and logging in 

• Allow students time to continue creating their comic strips and provide guidance as needed.

• When students are ready, assist them in printing a copy of their final product. 

• Day 5

• Some students may still need to finish their comic strips. Allow those students to finish their creations. 

• While others wait, they may be reading comic strips. 

• Once all students have finished creating and printing their comic strips, students may trade their creations and read each other work. 

• Have students leave notes on post-its of reviews on the comic strip they read

• Remind students to be kind and only leave positive remarks about workmanship 

Payoff

• Provides an opportunity for the librarian to collaborate with teachers 

• Provides students with a creative outlet

• Provides students an opportunity to view a genre they may not be familiar with

• Provides students the opportunity to learn about different technology tools