Apps of the Week!
Technology Training
Comic Creators
Boom! Pow! Swoosh! The power and inventiveness of using comic strips in the classroom allows students an alternate avenue to expressing themselves and sharing with you their knowledge through a different medium. Get creative as you investigate comic creators for classroom use by your students. Stress not just comprehension skills or concepts but also language and grammar styles... haven't you heard of onomatopoeia?
Technology activities can be easily accomplished with a few creative and free applications. Whether you have 1:1 devices or a set of 5 computer desktops, incorporating technology can transpire flawlessly during center rotation.
Pre-K Guidelines
X.A.3. Child operates voice/sound recorders and touch screens. The child:
- uses voice/sound recording and touch screen devices appropriately.
- creates writings and drawings using software.
- uses a variety of software packages with audio, video, and graphics to enhance learning experiences (improving vocabulary; increasing phonological awareness).
X.A.5. Child recognizes that information is accessible through the use of technology. The child:
- learns new information through interaction with technology.
Technology Applications TEKS Kinder- 2nd
- Creativity and innovation. (1A) Apply prior knowledge to develop new ideas, products, and processes; (1B) Create original products using a variety of resources; and (1D) Create and execute steps to accomplish a task.
- Communication and collaboration. (2C) Format digital information, including font attributes, color, white space, graphics, and animation, for a defined audience and communication medium; (2D) Select, store, and deliver products using a variety of media, formats, devices, and virtual environments.
- Critical thinking, problem solving, and decision making. (4C) Evaluate products prior to final submission.
- Digital citizenship. (5A) Adhere to acceptable use policies reflecting appropriate behavior in a digital environment; and (5B) Comply with acceptable digital safety rules, fair use guidelines, and copyright laws.
Technology Applications TEKS 3rd-5th
Creativity and innovation. (1A) Create original products using a variety of resources;
Communication and collaboration. (2A) Draft, edit, and publish products in different media individually and collaboratively; (2B) Use font attributes, color, white space, and graphics to ensure that products are appropriate for multiple communication media, including monitor display, web, and print.
Digital citizenship. (5A) Adhere to acceptable use policies reflecting positive social behavior in the digital environment; (5B) Respect the intellectual property of others; (5C) Abide by copyright law and the Fair Use Guidelines for Educational Multimedia; (5D) Protect and honor the individual privacy of oneself and others.
Online Web App Comic Creators
Strip Generator
Read Write Think's Comic Creator
Superlame!
Write Comics
Make Belief Comix
Slightly Different But Still a Good Option
iPad Apps
Few Examples to Implement in the Class
- Retelling or Summarizing: Students recreate important scenes from a story.
- Reinventing: Students will change the ending of one story and invent a new ending.
- Plot: Students learn and demonstrate that stories have a beginning, middle and end.
- Grammar Lessons: Students create comics concentrating on certain grammatical devices. Include quotations, semi-colons, or perhaps other literary devices.
- Prediction: Students create a comic strip with one piece of the story. Another student will predict the story part missing.
- Social Studies mapping: Students create comic strips where characters are visiting other countries or places and ask for directions.
- Sequencing: Students draw a cartoon on a key event from history.
- Processes/How-to: Students create comic strips focusing on explaining a process like cycles in Science or government processes like voting.
- Current events: Students will use the comic to explain a current event or news story.
Samples
Photo Courtesy
Extra Resources
Remember, these are plenty of apps to try. But, it will be a personal preference as to the one or two you decide to utilize in the class. You should think about the ease of use and the needs of the students in your class. You need not use all, but explore for the best option.
Cynthia L. Piña
District Technology Trainer/Specialist @ Laredo ISD
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Email: clpina@laredoisd.org
Website: https://smore.com/u/pinatechtrainer
Location: Laredo, TX, United States
Phone: 956.273.1341
Twitter: @pinatechtrainer