Lessons Overview

#1 Picture This

#2 Storyboard 2

#3 Lights, Camera, Action

#4 Word and Thought 'Balloons'

#5 Presentation or Publication

Resources

Links to samples

Assessing the Unit

Extensions & Ideas

Big Purposes-

To Inform: teachers can give instructions in a 'show, don't tell' format, kids can think visually, spatially, dramatically....then plan & present.

To Entertain: The entertainment value is both for the creator(fun to make), and the for the viewer of the photocomic. Imagine that students finish their units of learning not (just) with a test.... but with unique representations of what was done, learned, important. <it's very instructive to us as teachers to give students some chances to 'show what they know'..... which starts with their thinking and representation of what is important>

List of ideas (add your own!)

1. Lab or activity instruction sheet- show & tell with good pix and simple word instructions. (we all know kids often struggle with instructions). This is especially important for 2nd language learners.

2. Visual exam sheet- pictures from previous activities, students fill in captions or word balloons to show their recall of concepts.

3. Visual field trip- teacher or students can share experiences away from school.

4. Social Training*- We often have lists of rules, and "don'ts"... again show, don't tell. Example: As student dress codes evolve.... you can have fun using student models to show/exaggerate what is or isn't 'code'. Likewise, showing steps in good working practices, helpful group dynamics, etc. Fun, but clear.

5. Blend photos and handdrawn pictures for variety and usefulness. (just take a photo of the drawing to make it ready. Multimedia!

6. Take photos of posters, data or drawings on board, student concept maps or other work, and integrate them into the photocomic.