Put Yourself in a Comic!

Why not make you (and your friends or siblings) the main character(s) in your own comic?!  

Our friend, Agnes Hsu at hello, Wonderful (http://www.hellowonderful.co/) just designed a decal based on one of the most popular activities on their site.  You can order it at Plaeful (http://plaeful.co/).  It is frames that you can draw in, post your artwork etc. (Perfect for doodling while dad or mom makes dinner!)  What we like about it is that it is re-useable and works with washable markers!  (Better for the earth and fun for kids- what’s not to love!?!).  We got a decal over the holidays and our son used it to make his own comic, starring him, his brother and sister!

Materials

• Plaeful’s erasable decal, washable markers, 1 damp cloth and 1 dry cloth or cotton swabs- perfect for erasing small details!

OR

• A large roll of paper, pencil/eraser, ruler and pencil crayons, markers etc. OR this idea http://www.hellowonderful.co/post/EASY-DIY-FRAMES-WALLPAPER

Directions

• Look at comic books, comics in the newspaper etc.  and get familiar with the format- what do you notice?  How do they introduce the characters?  Is there a problem that must be solved?  What makes a good super hero?  Will you include a villain?  How does the super hero use her/his super powers?  Do they transform?  Are there different alternatives to solving the problem?  Who benefits with each option?  What are the restrictions?  Did the problem get solved in the way that you predicted?  How does the storyline end?

• Sketch out your ideas.  What was flexible about the erasable decal was that it was easy to make changes.  Our son mapped out the characters, the settings and the plot all within the frames, adding numbers so the reader could follow along.  He then completed his ideas in with various colours.

• Once done, share your story with your family or classmates!

Purpose

• Becoming familiar with some of the traits of various types of writing/communication (comics).
• Identifying what elements are necessary to make a story effective (characters, plot, setting etc.).
• Learning how to organize your thoughts in a sequence for your audience to understand them.