Making Comic Strips - online or on paper

Using a comic strip format is a great way to rewrite a story that you have read or to tell a new story if you are not yet comfortable with writing a lot. It helps the reader reformulate the text for a more through understanding of what they read. Most kids love to draw or use computer generated images to re-tell or create stories. Even many adults create and read graphic novels.

Think about writing a little story with pictures about one of the nursery tales, or an autobiography about an event in your life. The great thing about using the comic format is that students don't have to be intimidated about writing and can convey the same meaning and feeling through the art of a comic. In short, comics make a nice bridge between casual and academic writing.

This is an example of a comic I began as a summary of Little Red Ridinghood using toondoo.com, a free online service that allows members to create, print, and save cartoon strips.

This comic is a companion to my interactive Internet poster http://artre.glogster.com/redridinghoodbag/

Consider visiting this Spanish version of the story, read by young Spanish speakers!