Show
Share this post
Wondering how to bring comic strips into your next project? Your students can create comic strips in Google Slides. By setting up a template in this popular tool, you can customize a space for students while giving them the flexibility to make the space their own. Comic strips are a fantastic product for student creators in any subject area! Although I use Google Slides as an example in the blog post, it’s not the only option. You could use a slide-based presentation tool like Microsoft PowerPoint or Apple’s Keynote to accomplish the same goal. Or you could use a tool designed for comic creation like Book Creator. Note: I have a free download for you with 15 ready-to-use comic templates you can grab here. Choosing a Comic Strips LessonIf you’ve followed along with the blog for a while (we’re celebrating the tenth anniversary of ClassTechTips.com this year!), you’ve probably heard me use the phrase “tasks before apps.” Before diving into the steps for creating a comic strip in Google Slides, a quick reminder about setting an intention. Your goal for this project might include having students:
Part of your preparation for this activity might include sharing an exemplar for this project. This way, students know what direction they’re headed in. This is also an opportunity to share examples of comics in case it’s a medium students haven’t seen before. Creating a Comic Strips Google Slides TemplateYou can create comic strips in any shape and size in Google Slides. In the example of this post, I used the dimensions 15 x 10 inches. Once you pick a size, you’ll stick with it for the whole presentation deck. After choosing your dimensions, you can add shapes to make the comic cells. I decided to create rectangles with a thick border, using the border options at the top of the screen. When students access this template, they can add pictures in each box to create their comic. For the comic strip captions, add a text box with a background color at the bottom of each frame. Using a background color for this text box is important if you have students add pictures and layer this on top of the image in their comic cell. Here are a couple of quick tips for comic strips in Google Slides:
Note: I have a free download for you with 15 ready-to-use comic templates you can grab here. Sharing comics with studentsAfter you’ve created a template for students that connects to your project or activity, you can share it in a few different ways. For example, you might share the document through Google Classroom so that it automatically makes a copy for your students. Or you might use a forced copy, similar to how I set up this link for you to make a copy of my example from this blog post. Ready to get started with comics in the classroom? Try these steps to set up comic strips in Google Slides, or download my ready-to-use templates right here. Stay up-to-date on all things EdTech.EdTech tips and resources for educators, straight from Monica’s desk every Monday. Don’t miss a thing. Share this post:Monica BurnsDr. Monica Burns is a former classroom teacher, Author, Speaker, and Curriculum & EdTech Consultant. Visit her site ClassTechTips.com for more ideas on how to become a tech-savvy teacher. Start every week with a plan and stay organized this school year!
Free summer Checklist5 Things to Do Now to Make Tech Easier in the New School Year
Spring Cleaning with an EdTech twist!
Can I use a comic in a presentation?Cartoons (and well designed presentations) fit this mold. Ideally an entire presentation follows a story, and this makes a presentation extremely powerful. It's possible to go a step further and illustrate an entire presentation with a cartoon story (essentially all the slides would form a long comic strip).
What is a comic strip example?Strips are written and drawn by a comics artist, known as a cartoonist. As the word "comic" implies, strips are frequently humorous. Examples of these gag-a-day strips are Blondie, Bringing Up Father, Marmaduke, and Pearls Before Swine.
How do you copyright a comic strip?To access eCO, go to the Copyright Office website and click on Register a Copyright. sheet for paper applications), go to the Copyright Office website and click on Publications, then Forms. Complete the form(s) on your personal computer, print them out, and mail them with a check or money order and a deposit.
|