Bilingual Comics
When?
This activity could be modified to become a unit, or a smaller activity at the end of a unit. The creation of a comic could take several sessions, depending on how many aspects of writing the teacher wanted to cover.
How?
Materials?
Why?
Students love comics. They are often easier for ELs to read because of the support that the images offer. Students will have the opportunity to experience situations of characters through the creation of the comic. Common occurrences or phrases could be offered, providing students with words that may benefit them later outside of the classroom (such as students being called "out", being fair). Recently learned vocabulary could be incorporated into the comic creation.
Resources:
www.makebeliefcomix.com
http://www.everythingesl.net/inservices/giants_steps_nonficti_writing_96247.php
This activity could be modified to become a unit, or a smaller activity at the end of a unit. The creation of a comic could take several sessions, depending on how many aspects of writing the teacher wanted to cover.
How?
- Students will visit www.makebeliefcomix.com. This free site offers English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese or Latin and a diverse cast of characters
- Students will see what is possible by viewing mentor texts on the site and familiarizing themselves with the diverse characters available.
- Students will pre-write using graphic organizers or storyboarding tools. A variety of different forms and structures could be taught for use in the comic. Students could be provided with sentences stems, story starters or situations to scaffold the creation of their story.
- Students create their comic. It could be in English, they could create one in their own language if available, or perhaps a combination of the two.
- Comics could be collected into the student's own comic book for publishing at the end of the year.
Materials?
- One computer for each student or group of students
- www.makebeliefscomix.com
- Graphic organizers
Why?
Students love comics. They are often easier for ELs to read because of the support that the images offer. Students will have the opportunity to experience situations of characters through the creation of the comic. Common occurrences or phrases could be offered, providing students with words that may benefit them later outside of the classroom (such as students being called "out", being fair). Recently learned vocabulary could be incorporated into the comic creation.
Resources:
www.makebeliefcomix.com
http://www.everythingesl.net/inservices/giants_steps_nonficti_writing_96247.php