Whether it is on our laptops, iPads, or online, there are so many tools you can use with your students to make their own cartoons! Here are some ideas:
Did you know that Comic Life is already on all of our school computers? It is a great program that students can choose a layout for their comic and then add text boxes, speech bubbles, pictures, and more.
ToonDoo is a website that also makes comics from a collection of clip art and backgrounds available on the site. Similarly, ToonBooks is a website that students can use to read graphic novels, read other children's cartoons, and create their own. A great feature of the site is that the graphic novels are leveled by grade so you can differentiate for your students.
Looking to try the iPads in your classroom? Try these great apps! Toontastic is one of my favorite apps on the iPad. What I love about it is that to create the student's story, the app walks through the "story arc", guiding students to create a setup, conflict, challenge, climax, and resolution. There are a variety of scenes and characters to choose from, and students record the movements of the characters with their own voice to make the story.
Sock Puppets is also so much fun! It is similar to Toontastic in that students record the movements and voice of the characters, but they are more limited in the scene they create. They can choose different puppets, props, scenery, and backgrounds and then start creating with the record button. A fun feature of the app is that it will manipulate your voice based on the character - it is sure to get lots of giggles from the kids and teacher!
