Tired of taking comic books away from your students when they should be reading a good book? Now, you don't have to! Use this web site to guide them into practicing higher order thinking skills and open up their creative expression. Soon, you'll be asking them to bring their comics to class!
What do cartoons have to do with higher learning? Everything! They are a highly creative form of storytelling that requires effective visual representation and concise text. As a literary form, they are appealing to the older, yet still emergent reader, with visual prompts, clear plot sequencing and manageable text. For the student, creating a humorous comic strip, or using one to tell a story is a fun, open-ended assignment.
The suggested lessons and activities below address the following Hawaii Content and Performance Standards (HCPS II).
Language Arts -Use writing processes and strategies appropriately and as needed to construct meaning and communicate effectively.
Educational Technology - Students use technology to locate, evaluate, and collect information from a variety of sources. Students use technology to communicate, to collaborate, publish, and interact with peers, experts, and other audiences.
Social Studies - Historical Inquiry: Students use the tools and methods of historians to transform learning from memorizing historical data to "doing history."
Fine Arts - Students identify, understand, and apply the elements and principles of art using the language of the visual arts.
Lesson 1 - Cartoonists and Their Cartoons
1. Students take "Pick Your Favorite Cartoon" poll on Directory page. Journal Entry #1 - Why do you think people have chosen the most popular one? Students then bring in a copy of their favorite comic strip. Journal Entry #2 - Why do you like this cartoon? After completing their journal entry, students draw and color one of the main characters from their favorite comic strip. Students display their favorite cartoon strip and their journal entry, and their drawing.
2. Students take "Cartoon Craze" quiz prior to viewing Famous Cartoonists pages. After viewing pages, students retake quiz until they receive a passing mark of 80%.
3. Students take "I knew that!" quiz prior to viewing Amazing Cartoon Facts page. After viewing pages, students retake quiz until they receive a passing mark of 80%.
4. Students conduct Internet research to learn about the cartoonist who draws their favorite cartoon. Students write and illustrate a report on the cartoonist.
Lesson 2 - How to Draw Cartoons
1. Students view How to Draw Cartoons page and complete "Make a Cartoon" activity.
2. Students take a simple tale such as an Aesop's Fable and create a comic strip to tell the tale.
3. Students create their own 3 - 6 frame comic strip.
Lesson 3 - How to Become a Cartoonist
1. Publishing #1 - Student comic strips from previous lesson should be collected and compiled into a book for display in the classroom or school library.
2. Publishing #2 - Student comic strips should be collected and displayed on a student authored web page. They may also be emailed to this address for possible addition to the Student Cartoonists page on this web site, but we cannot publish all that are submitted.
3. Students view How to Become a Cartoonist page. Students research and contact one magazine or newspaper regarding submission requirements, and or contact one cartoonist, studio, or organization regarding tips and suggestions on becomming a cartoonist. Students present their findings to the class. Optional: Talented/interested students could submit their work for publication consideration.
