MakeBeliefsComix.com is a place to create comic strips. The site provides characters that are drawn displaying several different emotions. You can choose a character and its emotions, then place a text balloon above them and type in some dialogue. When your comic is complete, you can print it out, email it or share it on line.
This site is wonderful for motivation and to engage students in writing dialogue. My kindergarten students can work as a whole group (on the Smart Board), or for those more advanced students, individually. Students can create their own comic strips by choosing a character then choosing its mood and typing in dialogue. These comic strips can be beneficial in teaching reading, writing, and literacy. It can also be used to teach social skills and appropriate responses to different situations. As a springboard for conversation and discussions, it can be a tool for teaching appropriate behavior and empathy. I would absolutely use this site with my students for many lessons. Besides having students use their imagination and create their own stories, I would present them with a character with dialogue and another character without. Students can make decisions as to responses. We can use these comic strips to incorporate new site words and vocabulary words. The comic strips can also be a tool for teaching students to work cooperatively and have students each pick a character and have dialogue with each other.
Providing students with the empty talk balloons gives them the opportunity to think imaginatively and to practice language skills as well as to practice reading, and communication skills. A recent addition to this site is that they provide printable. You can print out comix templates and students can use this to write on and color.
