Janah+Kent+Comic+Master

**What is MakeBeliefsComix:**
====This technology tool is a web site that allows students to create comic strips. There are different backgrounds, characters, objects, and scenes to choose from. Students choose from these options and then are able to write dialogue between characters and even the generate emotions these characters are experiencing. Students are able to print or email their comics. Another option this web site has is different templates for educators to print. There is a large variety of things to print, not just blank comic strips. Make Beliefs Comix is really kid friendly and has education in mind. There is a wide variety of lesson plans, ideas on how to use this tool, and resources for teachers as well.====

**Lesson Plan:**
====I used Make Beliefs Comix in my sixth grade social studies class. We have recently begun our unit on ancient Greece. This week our focus was Homer and his epic poems the Iliad and Odyssey. We discussed the history behind the Trojan War, did some research on this topic, and read several excerpts from both epics. With so many different events surrounding the Trojan War, I had my students create a comic depicting a part from the war story. They could represent any part of the story, from the events leading up to the war, through the battles, to the wooden horse or end of war. Each student was given a scoring guide explaining criteria needed such as how many boxes/sections needed, captions and dialogue between characters, and how to email and print their comics. Using our smart board, I showed my students the web site and some basic skills on how to get started and how to maneuver around. My sixth graders wrote down some ideas they had for their comics and dialogue. We then went to our computer lab and my sixth graders began producing their comics. Towards the end of class time they began emailing me these so I could have a copy. During on our next time we met, my students printed their comics and cut them out and put them on construction paper to present to their classmates.====

**Sample of Technology Tool**
====Below is an example that one of my students created. It is part of their comic for the lesson described above. This comic is representing the part of story of Odysseus trying to get out of going to war.====

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