Cartoons and Comics

Using Cartoons and Comics in the classroom is a great way to engage your students and get them creating. I have always thought that if you teach something then have your students share that information with their peers they are 100 times more likely to remember the information. A comic is a great outlet for teaching or sharing information as well as having students do the same. Graphic novels seem to move through circulation in the library the fastest out of any genre. STUDENTS LOVE THEM! Why not have students create what they like reading. Here are a few sites to get you started on your comic-making journey. 

Pixton

Here is the comic I created using Pixton

The Educator subscription for Pixton is pretty cool if you like Bitmoji then this site is right up your alley. You can create your own avatar and have your students join to create their own avatar to make a class picture something I can not wait to try when I get back in the library. After you create your avatar you have premade options like this voice level chart to use/print. 

I think this would be a great option for learning enhancement in the classroom but having to pay for anything is hard. You have options for subscriptions free with limited options, basic monthly pack for $9.99, Access Everything for $24.99 a month or $99 a year. I am cheap so I'd go with the free option to start and if you use it often and your students are engaged and using it just as much then definitely think of upgrading. 

Make Beliefs Comix

Here is the comic I created using MakeBeliefsComix

Make Belief Comix was very easy to use and gave me great options for creating my comic.  There is no need to log in or create an account since all the options for use are enough for any activity. If you do create an account you would be able to save your creations within the site. the site also offers many languages for use. Other options for creation within this site are ebooks, cards, and resources for parents, teachers and special needs. I really liked the character options and I think students will enjoy them as well. 

Make Belief Comix would be great to use for creating writing prompts or to create after writing. Other uses could include acting out vocabulary, a summary of a story or even to summarize a lesson learned. 

Fotojet

Here is the comic I created using Fotojet

I have to say I thought I was going to like using Fotojet to create a comic but I was kind of let down after trying all the other comic creator sites. Fotojet seemed to be the most work. First, you have to sign up for a trial and I hate doing that. Especially when they ask for your card info right off the bat. I worked around that by looking up (Google searching) Fotojet comics and got started there. You can upload images or use their pre-existing images. The set up for Fotojet was just like Canva and I love Canva so it was easy to traverse and create, but there were problems. You definitely have to get the text just right in the callouts or you have to resize both and if you have to move text and callout you have to remember to select everything or you mess up your bubbles. Let's just say it takes a bit of time and if you or your students are perfectionists they may get frustrated with this program. If anything you can use Canva and you don't have to pay for a trial. With Canva you can link/sign up with Google as well as link to your colleagues for shared projects. 

WittyComics

Here is the comic I created using Witty Comics

Witty comics was very easy to use. I did not have to log in or create an account to make the above comic. If I wanted to save it within Witty Comics site then I would have to create an account and I would have also had a few more options offered to add to my comic. 

The creator offers 60 backgrounds, 48 characters and gives you 4 bubble options. Not an abundance to start with, but if you don't want something overwhelming with too many choices this is the comic creator to start with. The choices are flashy so it makes choosing quick. 

Here is what the choice board looks like. 

Students will like this for ease of use. There are plenty of choices and all are located in one space.  I think teachers will love this site because you can jump right in. There is really no instruction or learning time needed to use this site.

Final Thoughts

I think that having students create comics is a much more engaging activity than writing out long essays that may not show the creativity of a student. Comics captivate students, reading them and creating them! Pixton would be my top choice for use and ease. P{lus you can make avatars of yourself and your students. My next two options would be Make Beliefs Comix and Witty Comics. Both were easy to use and didn't cost me anything. Ultimately it is what's easiest for you as a teacher to implement. There are many ways you can get your students using them. Try some and see what you think.

* Summarize a story
* Explaining cycles and phases in science
* Create the comic version of a drama or play
* Create a comic about a poem read
* Re-enact events in Social Studies.
* Create a comic math problem

Let's get creating!

Something different

Some students may like to try animation on the go with Tellagami app students can create an avatar, insert background and record a short video. This would be a great tool to share information from field trips or on research. Right now the developer hasn't kept up with updates for use on my phones but it may work for yours.

Here is a short informative video on the Tellagami app.