Thinking Globally

Today's link for the agenda is:  goo.gl/2kLjG.

When thinking globally it is important to begin reaching outside of your classroom and teaming up with other students and professional around the world.  I was introduced to this last year as I was attending the ITSC conference and Silivia Rosenthal Tolisano's work session!  She started a quad-blogging project in which you sign up and are assigned three other schools in which you rotate whose blog you read for the week and reply to.  What this does is ensure that your blog is read and replied to.  I have blogged about this in the past...such ideas as skyping with authors, other classrooms, and professional or using edmodo/collaborize/blogging/etc. in the classroom to connect with others!

When thinking about how I will use this in my situation I struggle with this.  I would love to work with a teacher who is interested in exploring this.  I can see some great collaboration projects even for the science classroom--everything from talking to "real" scientist, taking virtual fieldtrips, blogging, to gathering data for various topics (weather).  One area I think we could really build this into the curriculum is in language arts.  It seems like every teacher has a book they love to read with their classes...why not explore the author's blog, twitter feed, and facebook to gather background knowledge.  After research skyping with the author might be a possibility if there are additional questions your students would like to know.  In addition, if a book is set in a particular location why not try to find another classroom that either reads the same book or is located in that location.  Some ways I would try to find a classroom would be through Edmodo Communities, ePals, Twitter, Skyping, emailing local teachers, etc....

On ePals I tried typing in the title of a book I know LA teachers use and got some results.  For example, here is a teacher who would like students to be able to discuss books like Huckleberry Flinn, The Great Gabsey, to Kill a Mockingbird, Macbeth, etc...  http://www.epals.com/show-profile.php?id=69405692-96ac-462f-915f-bc93bc0604ba and here is another one:  http://www.epals.com/show-profile.php?id=be300297-cc87-40c4-a32e-3e91d06b9dcd and one on Huckleberry: http://www.epals.com/show-profile.php?id=51f83dec-a061-4734-a510-252af7a77d7d.

When getting other classes or students to create something for you such as a videos have them send it to DropItToMe so you can pick them up.  Check out Joe's Project we got as HW!

Notes:  Check out Edmodo Community for global projects revolving around the election.
Screencastomatic, screenr, camstudio (get avi file), Jing, Camtasha (paid)
Reflection App ($15):
Check out equipment....are there any projects PRSD would like to try with iPads?

New OS Downloads

I think it is crazy all these new OS downloads...for schools with many iDevices it seems like this is one of the biggest hiccups--updating to new operating systems.  This is brought on by the new iOS6 that was just released by Apple!  Yet again the public must update their devices!  It seems like these updates are coming every three months now and keeping us hopping when it comes to investing time in getting everything up and running.  I can only hope that Weston teachers have got this down to an art by now and feel for the extra time it takes to get it done!  Someday, I hope to have this same glorious problem!

Major up grades include increased visual maps--there is a flyover arrow in the top right corner that allows you to fly over cities or landmarks!  Could be a great tool for virtual fieldtrips and such!  I can't wait to see how the tilting and angling of the device changes the view of the cities and such!  What about SIRI?  Boy I love the idea of this feature.  Someday when I have an iPhone or such this will be a lot of fun to use!  No more thumb typing for me!  Can't wait!  And Facetime--works over phone lines as well!  If we weren't already connected before we will be now!  And finally, the Accessibility app is really coming along with adaptations for special needs people in our world!  What a great way to help students focus on one app by being able to eliminate the home row stuff!

So, with that I would like to share one last thing that makes iDevices a good thing--dragon dictation!  My son is really seeing the benefits of this in his English class---with his iTouch he reads his paper into the app and emails it to himself!  What is awesome is you get to choose the format-word, pdf, or pages-for the email!  This makes transferring so easy for us.  Once he emails it to himself, he opens the document, saves it to a flash drive, and edits it at school while everyone else is wasting a class period typing!  I am glad that Levi had both the initiative and bravery to ask his English teacher if he could do this and it has prompted a discussion with the Superintendent about BYOD, and ultimately resulted in me being asked to prepare a little presentation on this for both the new HS principal and School Board!  This is all thanks to the movers and shakers of this world!  So, thank-you to all you movers and shakers!  You are empowering so many of us to make a change in the world--no matter how trivial it is!  In this case we are utilizing our class time much more efficiently and making up for the lack of keyboarding skills training!  Yeah You!

20 Google Search Shortcuts

Great resource and sweet information...can't wait to try these out!
http://lifehacker.com/5940946/20-google-search-shortcuts-to-hone-your-google+fu

J.R.R.Tolkien reads Elvish Poem

Listen to J.R.R. Tolkien read Elvish poems from The Fellowship of the Rings:

From the blog post:  

In the short clip above, Tolkien himself recites the Elvish poem Namarie, or Galadriel’s lament, from The Fellowship of the Ringnovel (it doesn’t appear in the film). Namarie translates as “Farewell,” and the poem in English reads thus:

Ah! like gold fall the leaves in the wind, long years
numberless as the wings of trees! The long years
have passed like swift draughts of the sweet mead
in lofty halls beyond the West, beneath the blue
vaults of Varda wherein the stars tremble in the
song of her voice, holy and queenly.

Who now shall refill the cup for me?

For now the Kindler, Varda, the Queen of Stars,
from Mount Everwhite has uplifted her hands like
clouds, and all paths are drowned deep in shadow;
and out of a grey country darkness lies on the
foaming waves between us, and mist covers the
jewels of Calacirya for ever. Now lost, lost for
those from the East is Valimar!

Farewell! Maybe thou shalt find Valimar. Maybe
even thou shalt find it. Farewell!

Google Docs for the iPad

Google has finally heard the cries from all those frustrated iPad schools---Now they have introduced Google Drive (was Google Docs) as an app for the iPad!  According to this blog entry you can import photos and videos from your iPad into the Google documents! Don't forget you also have access to the Spreadsheets, Forms, Presentations, and folders.  It sounds like you still can't create these forms on the iPad, but you can edit, organize, collaborate, and share documents from here!  I am sure the rest isn't far behind--at some point we will be able to create from here as well!

From blog above:
"The best update to arrive in version in Google Drive version 1.1.0 is the editing option. Users can edit much easier and with a cleaner interface. Plus, the editing and collaboration features are much faster through the Google Drive App. Users can also see who is editing on the doc at the same time. In addition, docs can now be accessed offline as well. Users can edit a doc offline and once it hits a wi-fi connection, the doc will sync with Google Drive and save in the cloud. This feature will happen automatically or via the refresh button in the upper-right hand corner of the home screen of the app."

Good luck with this new app!  Like I said before--don't give up on Google Docs....

Mad Lips App = Blabberize

So, I ran across this app for the iDevices called Mad Lips.  Currently it costs $2.99...but I heard it has been free at one point.  It is a lot like Blabberize, but it works on the iPad.  Here you can import pictures or use some from their picture bank and then record yourself saying something.  You have some choices like different sounding voices and how much of your own face shows up in the video.  This is just another way to bring book talks/summaries, character analysis, and other projects to life!  The video is saved write in your photos and I am sure can be emailed to the teacher.  In the lesson link below the author talks about having students post it to Edmodo...I don't know if this still has to be done on the computer or if Edmodo and the iDevice are talking more fluently...  It seems like you should be able to pull something from your photo album and attach it to Edmodo...but I don't know since I don't have an iDevice to try it on!  Maybe someone can comment as to whether this works yet or not!

Here is a lesson plan idea using this app to create book reports/talks or character review for LA class:  http://www.appeducation.com/2012/06/17/talking-book-covers-using-mad-lips/

Here is the link to the iTunes listing:  http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/mad-lips-make-talking-orange/id454777881?mt=8

Livebinder for WMS

Over the summer I have been working on putting together a Livebinder for the WMS teachers.  Throughout this process I have come to realize that this might not have been the best tool to use to compile all the data necessary for helping teachers during this new school year.  The most difficult part about this is that most of the subtabs ended up being links to the resources rather than a description or application of resources.  Upon reflection I have decided to go back and try to add a Word document to the original Tab that summarizes the subtabs.  The other option would be to include such a document as a subtab.  I have a huge list of things to add to this resource and hope to finish this up over the week.  I don't know if anyone will use this resource...but it is a continual work in progress.  It was really hard to work on this over the summer...but I am fired up to get it done!  If there is something you would like to see here that isn't please let me know and I will work on adding it!

Access Key:  WMStigerscot

What's new for Edmodo?

So, I was going to sit down and compile my Edmodo information but remembered Edmodo is getting a major facelift and I might have to relearn a lot of the new features anyway in order to compile the "how to" for the Livebinder I am creating.  Not only is Edmodo getting a whole new look, but it also will have three major new features:  Discovery, Insights, and Apps!  Yes, I said apps--these will be available for U.S. teachers this fall!

Let's start with the new look:  Here you can see the basic set up.  Within the red circle on the right you will have a quick access to all your notifications.  This will help to let you know who has questions, who has completed what assignments, etc....  In the yellow circle on the top left you will see some new menu tools.

1. Calendar:  This will be transformed into a planner rather than just a monthly calendar.  You will be able to fill in and view weekly assignments and assign badges as progress assessments in order to further map out each unit and what is due for students when.  In addition, you will be able to create a task list in which to help you keep track of your "to do's" as they come up!  
2. Grade Book:  This is evolving as well.  Badges can be used as progress rather than just grades.  It seems that teachers will need to assign different badges for different skills.  For example, a teacher working on multiplication tables with students may have a badge for each number 1x, 2x, 3x, etc....  With the new badges page you can quickly see who has achieved what! (See second picture above.)
3. Library:  I am not sure about this icon...guessing.
4. Folders:  Now you can create folders in which all your units are pre-arranged (can be re-ordered throughout the year) and stored in the classes.  You just check the boxes next to an assignment when you are ready to assign it.  It looks like these assignments will be in your library and you can add the folders to multiple classes--looks like we won't need that dummy class any more and can make all assignments and assessments ahead of time and keep it nice, neat, and organized!
5. Managing Groups:  This seems to also be streamlined.  You will be able to access all small group info on one page...you can also compare data quickly for the whole year or by subject!

NEW FEATURES:

1. Discovery:  This gives you instant access to resources you can use right away.  Now instead of going to the subject community, posting the topic you are teaching, and requesting materials you can just click on this icon and type in the topic you are teaching at the top of the screen.  Instantly you will receive a listing of resources on the that are commonly used and can be added to the library.  On the right you have a list of the teachers you are connected with and the topics they are teaching.  You will also see other teachers that are teaching similar content who you might add as connections, the topics most commonly taught in conjunction with what you are teaching and the topics most commonly taught at this time in the school year to help build possible content connections.  You can also search by topic...they are expanding this library as we speak!
2. Insight:  This is an impressive feature that students will soon have access to...they will be able to use emoticons to tell you how they are felling or doing with a particular assignment or assessment.  They can express things like:  didn't have enough time, didn't study, finding it confusing, difficult, fun, engaging, etc....  Great tool for teachers to get a general feel for how things are going in the classroom.    You also can quickly see who is behind in assignment and who is viewing materials.  (I thought this would be a great tool for Gail and Ann as they flip their classroom!)
3. Apps:  This surprised me a little...but Edmodo is not contracting with apps and building them into Edmodo itself.  Now students can access these apps directly from Edmodo (teacher sets it up--only two available right now) and all work is posted directly to Edmodo and grades are directly connected to Edmodo by student as well.  I don't know if this will solve the lack of a file system on the iPad or not--but it might!  There should be more apps available in the coming months--keep checking it out!

That is all I know so far...here is the video from the last EdmodoCon Conference summarizing the information above!  Enjoy!

P.S.  Be sure to visit the other sessions as well!  Lots of great information!

Spelling City for iPad

For those of you who still do spelling tests...Spelling City is now available for the iPad (and according Heidi-iTouch as well)!  This app allows students to log into their account, search for the teacher generated list, do audio testing, and play practice games as well!  And to top it off--it's free as well!  Music to my ears!  

Here are some of the games available:

inquiry work-samples

Here is another great idea on how to create an inquiry work-sample.
This video was compiled in iMovie, but has still shots from Keynote and pictures from the camera roll.  The Keynote slides were saved as an image and inserted into the Keynote later!  This is a tradition "drops on a penny" lab.  What I would have liked to have seen more of an analysis and build up of the background information, but it is on the right track.

Time lapse photography

I ran across this blog post and revisited time lapse photography...like one reviewer said it would be really nice if you could import old pictures from the camera roll.  However, this blog brought up another idea on how to use this app in the science classroom.  I love the idea of documenting procedures or construction projects especially since engineering is such an integral part of the science inquiry process now.  This building the bridge assignment (or similar engineering feats) could be documented through this process.  Now without an iDevice to play with, I am not sure how this works whether you can set a timer or whether you have to manually take each picture.  My guess is you can do both.  Be sure to check out the blog entry to gather more info and see an example.

EdmodoCon 2012

What a fabulous day of learning...Edmodo put on an online conference today for free!  IT was fab!  I missed about three hours and of course forgot it started 10 ET...missed first hour, picked it up around 8 PT (11 ET).  They covered a wide range of topics...and what's even better is the whole thing will be available for viewing by next week at Edmodocon2012.com.

Be sure to view the keynote speaker since he will discuss the redesign of Edmodo coming out soon....  They already are rolling out apps you can purchase within Edmodo and that will directly upload into Edmodo...I am guessing this is a response to the fact that so many schools are going to iPads and this is the way around the lack of a file system.  Right now there are two apps available for free to play with.  Apparently they will be rolling out more very soon.  (I missed the keynote...can't wait to view!)  Just look for the grid icon next to the search bar!

Each session today also had a group code you could join within Edmodo.  Be sure to look in the "Library" for each group to see the ppt and materials they shared in their presentations!  Here is what I have:

1. Game Based Learning (Hunger Games Activity--#HG2212); Bianca Hewes; Group Code: n71wrm
2. Flipping the Classroom; Tony Edwards (@edlearninglab); Group code:  qe1uod
3. Start off on the right foot; Richard Farmer; Group code:  mn45az
4. Using Edmodo to Enhance Collaboration; Richard Farmer and Jamie Weir; Group Code:  x6g4mg
5. ow5urj
6. Edmodo Apps; Matthew Tobin; Group Code:  hgozjh and 9u4kdi
7. Making PD Fun and Relevent with Edmodo; Hollie Becker; Group Code:  51235u
8. Group Code:  f51bzf
9. Group Code:  guscne
10. Group Code:  MST3K
11. Group Code:  mn45az

Several things came out of these sessions...but the one idea I really like is the idea to start an Edmodo group for my OSTA region members.  I need to reach out to these members soon and begin building a network for us.  I believe this is a great tool to do that!  A group of admins or teachers in district or region is a great idea!  Let's see if I can get it going.

25 Ways to Integrate Social Media in Education

Be sure to check out this infographic about how to use social media in the classroom!  There are some great ideas here.  Just click on the title below and explore away!

25 Ways Teachers Can Integrate Social Media Into Education 

7 fun (and cheap) class projects to try w/ video

Here is a great post of ideas for the classroom.  I particularly like the first idea for iPads--turning them into a microscope.  It looks like gluing the grommet to the iPad is removable with fingernail polish remover!  I love this idea and how does Amazon sell things so cheap.  I am not sure that I was as impressed with his video of the grasshopper though.  Seems like we could do a better job!  Their tip for the iPhone was to glue the grommet onto a cheap case you put on the phone...same thing could apply to the iPad!  Here each student in class (if 1-to-1 iPad) could have their own microscope and take it in the field with them for studies!  Love it!  (Only thing for WMS--is they already have Broc Microscopes that they can take in the field--the red ones--come off their stands!)  I do like the idea of the microscopes attached to the iPads since students can take pictures!  Sure would make inquiries interesting and easy to document!

Seven Fun (and Cheap) Class Projects to Try with Video

July 26, 2012 | 8:00 AM | By MindShift

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Flickr: Category 5 TV

By Hall Davidson

For educators interested in incorporating video into classroom lessons, here are seven projects to dive into.

1.   TURN AN iPAD OR (OTHER MOBILE DEVICE) INTO A VIDEO MICROSCOPE. For less than $8, an iPad can be used as a 45x microscope to capture still images or videos from leaves, household objects, insects, or anything that warrants closer inspection. With an $0.80 grommet from a hardware store, super glue, and a 45x power microscope (usually found for less than $5), the camera in the iPad or mobile phone can become a microscope. This is how it works: the grommet (think of it as a ½-inch rubber washer) is glued around the camera opening, and the microscope plugs into it. You can see how it’s done on this YouTube video, step-by-step.

2.   MAKE VIDEOS FROM VIDEO GAMES. Any technology that produces a ‘video out’ signal can create content for media projects. Students have done this with MineCraft and Halo. Teachers can use the video characters to teach math concepts or build curriculum-based stories with students.  Essentially, the computer becomes a camera with video screen capture or for media files generated by the game. You can do this with devices like EZcap and Dazzle. Screen capture can be done in QuickTime 10 (Mac) or CamStudio (PC), or many other screen capture alternatives.  This YouTube video explains how to connect EZcap, and these YouTube videosshow how-tos using Macs.

Hall Davidson

Cinemagram

3.   VIDEO-MAKING ON THE iPAD/MOBILE. A huge variety of sophisticated video effects can be done on mobile devices — some of which used to require a television studio and entire crew! You can use fun effects like Green Screen MovieFX, an app for iPads, iPhones, and Windows phones, which allows for a color in a video shot live to become a pre-set video.Cinemagram, a new app that allows part of a video to be frozen while the rest of video continues, is also fun to play with. Coaches Eye, which allows coaches or teachers to slow down, mark up (like on ESPN), and comment on student videos shot on cameras or phones works great for assessing videos. And MadPad, a multiple-screen video display that can be crafted into a math, social studies, or vocabulary game is another great tool to play with.

4. MORPHING. Morphing images means transforming one image smoothly into another (remember the end of Michael Jackson’s “Black or White” video?) You can blend student’s images from their earliest elementary school grades through graduation and then segue into futuristic images, or blend two images of a student into his or her hero, or into the center of their report, or into animals or any other images that lend themselves to class subjects. Software that can be used: Morpheus, FantaMorph, MorphX, and free websites such as MorphThing.com.

Hall Davidson

5. QR CODE GAME OR SCAVENGER HUNT.QR Codes — those little squares that, when viewed through smartphones lead to videos, sounds, or websites — can be used to create multiple-choice questions and answers. Here’s how: a QR is “broken” into pieces that are linked to questions and answers. Students can drag the piece next to the answer they think is correct into a grid, and the pieces form a QR code. If the answers are all correct, the QR code reveals a video. If not, nothing happens. But students can adjust answers until they get it right. To make it easier (for the teacher) and more visual, each QR code piece is colored. The grid, coloring, and QR code construction can all be all done in PowerPoint, but any software with graphic capabilities, such asHyperStudio, works well too. The low-tech alternative is to simply cutting up a QR Code and stash it along the path of a scavenger hunt. The teams can bring back the pieces and reassemble them to uncover the video, still, or sound that the QR code that appears on their smartphone.

6.   TRANSFORM AN OLD CAMCORDER TO A GREAT WEBCAM. There are legions of old digital camcorders in parent and teacher closets. Maybe they ate tapes. Maybe they were too big, or just outdated. These broken or discarded camcorders can be connected to a computer for use in online conversations, as a document camera, or for scientific observations. Any camcorder that allows a “video out” connection will works, but those that are designed to connect to a computer are easier to use. These usually have “DV” (digital video) printed somewhere on the camera and, hidden under a black flap is the DV connector. Even if the camcorder doesn’t record anymore, or the tape motor is broken, this will work. The great lenses on those camcorders are a tremendous asset. A classroom talking with an expert, for example, could let the teacher zoom in student faces. Once the connection is made, the preferences or options in Skype, FaceTime, QuickTime, etc., are set to show the camcorder instead of the built-in camera or webcam. A mini-tripod can hold the camera steady.

7.   CREATE A MEDIA FESTIVAL. Celebrate the works of your students by putting on a media festival, showcasing their work in media, digital content, games, and music. The California Student Media Festival can be used as a prototype of how to model such a festival; find resources for guidelines, entry forms, judging rubrics, and structures for guidance.

Find more details about specific apps and more here.

Hall Davidson is senior director of Global Learning Initiatives at Discovery Education.

FILED UNDER: Tech Tools, digital media, project-based-learning, video projects

Prezi/Keynote Audio Files

So today we were working on our multimedia presentations.  For the most part, they are going just fine.  The biggest hurdle has been adding the audio to both Prezi's and Keynotes.  Our first work arounds for each was to send the audio file (Garage Band) to the class Youtube account.  When you do this if you don't make it public then the students can't pick it up themselves to add to their Prezi's.  Again, by making it public they are now accessable by anyone, anywhere.  This may not be a concern except that some of our student's names are on them.  I would highly recommend that students only use their first name and last initial if the name is needed.  The other option is for the teacher to be logged in and as students finish change the public setting to private.  (I will probably do this tomorrow unless Gail wants me to do it sooner.)


Once the files are in Youtube then you can add them to both Prezi and Keynote (as a hyperlink).  Again you have issues.  First, in Prezi if you make it a path stop it is its own visual.  You can't set the audio to play while the prezi is playing (until I figure out how to do this as an auto play), although you can keep the audio separate from the path and play both at the same time.  In Keynote on the iPad2 I can't find a way to get the audio file to be embedded in the slides, rather you have to link it to a word or picture and then when you touch it, it opens up a separate internet screen to play it. 

So here is the real solution now...after time playing and researching....

If students want the visuals and audio to play at the same time create this in iMovie and then export it to YouTube for insertion into the Prezi or export it to the Camera roll for inserting into Keynote.  Now when you go to a slide or create a path the audio and visuals will be lined up.  For both ideas you might want to consider making short mini-movies to scatter throughout the path; however, if you feel a longer movie would work better consider making your whole presentation in iMovie rather than Keynote or Prezi.

What I learned from this process is that you really need to know what you want your presentation to look like and then pick the presentation tool that is designed to fit this type of presentation.  Sorry kids....but planning is super important!  Hence the reason you need to have your script and story line created and well thought out ahead of time!

Prezi Presentations!

So, as we worked through this system we found that our students needed create their own accounts in order save and edit their work.  In order to save time I went in and signed each kid up for an account using their Google email addresses and passwords.  I had to have Joe open the email restrictions so I could get the confirmation email.  (Note:  Don't sign the kids up until the email restrictions have been lifted--or you have to do it all over again...the email isn't just sitting there waiting to come in.)  Once that was done...we were ready to roll!  Things seem to run much more smoothly once this decision was made.Following our last OETC training session, Gail was very excited about a Prezi presentation that Jennifer used during her presentation.  This Prezi program allows you to create a path in which you can zoom in and out throughout you Prezi.  In this example, Jennifer had created a Wordle and mixed both visuals and YouTube videos into the Wordle.  It almost looked like these extras were embedded into the the Wordle itself, but they were actually pictures placed on top of pictures.  Once the path was created you could travel throughout the Wordle itself as if it was its own space.  Pretty neat.  

After returning to school she wanted to present this tool to her 8th grade classes who were working on creating a multimedia project for their famous persons report.  Although we tried to provide a variety of tools to complete this project, one class in particular (first period) just didn't get started...they lacked inspiration.  Part of this was my fault because I didn't have any "oh-ah" examples to show them.  I know better too---good examples inspire creativity and I dropped the ball.  (Next time I would have fab examples ready for viewing.)  In addition to perhaps a lack of inspiration was the fact that giving some students so many choices was very overwhelming.  This thought was confirmed after we make the choice for the class to do a Prezi and several students commented that they were glad they didn't have to choose which tool to use.  Again, giving students this much freedom in school is foreign to them.  In the traditional classroom teachers basically have spoon fed everything to their students, now we are suddenly giving them some freedom and they don't know what to do with it.  Some groups just aren't ready for the freedom...we really need to start this process earlier in our educational system.

The next issue we had was creating paths.  For some reason this feature wasn't working for kids and the help video was not the same version that we were running.  So,  I did a little more research and discovered we needed hidden frames around everything we wanted to make a path to.

 Here are the directions:



Once the paths were created we needed to figure out how to get this document to the teacher for review.  That was as easy as clicking the share button and then the envelop to email this Prezi link to the teacher!  Yeah, one more project done!

more comic creators

Check out this livebinder with avatar and comic creator links.  Wish I would have found this a while ago.  Still have much more searching to do.  Great?!!?!

I just came up with a great idea for comic creators in the classroom--practicing foreign languages!  What a great way to creatively practice not only dialog but also written language!

check out this list of ideas from Kelsey Allen at http://www.teachingdegree.org/2009/07/05/comics-in-the-classroom-100-tips-tools-and-resources-for-teachers/

Understanding Benefits and Usage in the Classroom

Understand how comics are beneficial in schools and ways they can be used.

1. Eek! Comics in the Classroom!. This article describes many of the benefits of using comics and graphic novels in education and also includes resources for places to find appropriate materials for class.
2. Comic Books in the Classroom. This news story outlines why comic books may be a great way to promote reading in reluctant readers as well as help teach writing, emotions, and more.
3. Comics in the Classroom. Take an in depth look at the recent trend of using comics in the classroom, whether it is appropriate for the classroom, and resources for teaching with comics and graphic novels.
4. Using Comics and Graphic Novels in the Classroom. Understand how using comics and graphic novels can help teach complex reading skills, punctuation, outlining, paragraphing, and literary terms.
5. Comic Book Science in the Classroom. Listen to this NPR report about teaching with comics, including both benefits and concerns as seen by educators.
6. Maryland Comic Book Initiative. Read about this initiative in Maryland elementary schools, then read the research behind it, get sample lessons, and watch videos of students in action.
7. MSP#101: Comics in the Classroom. The last half of this podcast features Dr. Peter Coogan, Director of the institute for Comic Studies as he discusses comics in the classroom.
8. Thoughts About Comics #2 My Comics Classroom. This teacher describes the value of comics in his fourth grade classroom.
9. Comics in the Classroom. This informative article examines some of the reasons why comics and graphic novels are fast growing in school libraries, but a bit slower to reach the classrooms.
10. Comic Books in the Classroom. The New York Times takes a look at the value of using comics in education and the success of The Comic Book Project.
11. Gurney Journey: Comics in the Classroom. Illustrator James Gurney describes a tour of a class using comic books as inspiration. Be sure to read the comments section to hear from the teacher of the class.
12. Hamlet too hard? Try a comic book. This article describes some of the benefits of using graphic novels in class to help struggling readers and to boost interest in subjects.

Resources for Using Comics in the Classroom

These resources are all valuable sources of information, tools, community, and more to help you use comics in your classroom.

13. Comics in the Classroom. This site is all about promoting the use of comics in the classroom and includes news and reviews, lesson plans, forums, a blog, and much more.
14. Teachingcomics.org. This organization helps promote quality teaching through comics and offers such resources as lesson plans, study guides, handouts, connections with other teachers, and featured schools using comics in the classroom.
15. Comics in Education. This website is the final project for a teacher working on his Master’s degree and includes many resources for using comics in school.
16. Drawing Cartoons Theme Page. This site offers tons of links to resources ranging from creating cartoons to learning about the profession of cartoonist to teacher resources.
17. Toon Books. Keep abreast of the latest comic and graphic novels for emerging readers and also find lesson plans here.
18. Educational Comic Books for the Classroom. This helpful article includes a list of comic books for elementary aged children, tips for using comics in the classroom, and resources for teachers.
19. Comic Books as Curriculum. This interview with Richard Jenkins, co-author of Comics in Your Curriculum, offers a peek at the book written to help teachers learn how to incorporate comics into their lessons.

Suggested Comics for the Classroom

If you need a little help knowing what comics are both high-quality and age-appropriate, then check out these lists.

20. Graphic Novels for (Really) Young Readers. Written by an elementary school librarian, this article offers excellent suggestions for beginning readers through more accomplished elementary readers–and a reminder of the powerful effects of using graphic novels in education.
21. The Best Comics for Your Classroom: A List for All Grade Levels. This resource features lists of highly recommended and recommended comics categorized by age group.
22. Comics in the Classroom. This PDF lists several comics and includes age ranges, including a "mature teen" rating, and publication information.
23. Top 20 Children’s Comics. This listing offers descriptions, awards won, and any potentially objectionable material that might be in any of them.
24. The Twelve Best Comic Books for the Classroom. This list includes five books for grades 2-6 and seven books for grades 7-12.
25. Comics in the Classroom. This article, despite the numerous grammatical mistakes, does offer a wealth of information as to specific comics and the grade levels at which they may be used.
26. Comics in the Classroom – The Course in Computer Games. Sent on a mission to discover which comics students could read that might make a good computer game like Second Life, this writer investigates and reports her findings.
27. Reading, Writing, and Inquiry in the Science Classroom, Grades 6-12. This excerpt from the book includes a brief history of comics, a look at why comics are appealing to children, and a listing of comics and graphic novels that can be useful in teaching science.
28. Top 10 Superhero Comic Books Your Kids Should Be Reading. This list is from a parent and only focuses on superhero comics, but browse through the comments for more recommendations, including many outside the superhero realm.

Tools

Whether you or your students will be making comics in the class, check out these tools to help you get creative.

29. Comic Creator. Supply the information you want in this tool that provides people, animals, thought and speech bubbles, props, and backdrops.
30. How to Use Comic Life in the Classroom. This article describes how to use Comic Life, an inexpensive comic generator, to create a book report for class.
31. Tech Module: Using Comic Life in the Classroom. Another article about using Comic Life in the classroom, this one also includes several lesson plans utilizing this program.
32. Howtoons. These comics from Instructables are specifically for teaching children how to do lots of things. These comics make a great supplement to a hands-on lesson.
33. Make Beliefs Comix. This tool allows students to create comic strips and provides plenty of options for customizing their strips. There is also a section for teacher resources here.
34. Pixton. Students can create their comic strip here or you can select Pixton for Schools for an education-oriented experience that brings the entire class together on projects.
35. Bitstrip. Students can browse through other people’s comics and create their own at this site.
36. ToonDoo. This comic strip generator allows students to create their own comics. Teachers should check the site for appropriate content as it is not specifically an education site.
37. ArtisanCam. Among the many art projects available here, students can also create comics with this tool.
38. PikiKids. After uploading images, students can choose their layout, add speech bubbles, and more to create fun comics.
39. BeFunky. Turn digital photos into digital comics and more with this free tool.
40. Comiqs. Use templates or design your own images with this cartoon generator that provides results in a slide show that can even be put on a class blog or website.

Creative Ways to Use Comics in the Classroom

These resources offer great ways to use comics in the classroom.

41. The Chess Comic. A sister site to Comics in the Classroom, this site teaches the game of chess through comics.
42. Comics and the Smithsonian: A Beautiful Union of Science Curriculum. Learn about this resource through the Smithsonian’s website that incorporates comics into science lessons.
43. Bringing Comics into the Classroom. This article is written by a college instructor who describes his class on Comic Books as Literature and, while aimed at older students, offers insight into how literature can be taught through comics.
44. The comic book assignment was a hit!. This teacher shares her experience of using a comic book assignment as a final evaluation for high school students. She shares both the positive aspects and her learning points.
45. Checking Out Comic Life. This veteran teacher describes how she plans to use Comic Life with her kindergartners.
46. In the Classroom: Alice in Comic Land. This teacher describes how she used comics while teaching Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. She also includes links for teaching Shaun Tan’s The Arrival.

Lesson Plans for Elementary

Elementary teachers will enjoy these great lesson plans designed specifically for early learners.

47. Comics in the Classroom as an Introduction to Genre Study. Perfect for 3rd-5th graders, this lesson helps students understand the genre of comics through examining and creating comics.
48. Comic-Strip Challenge. Teach sequencing by using comic strips in this lesson appropriate for grades 2-5.
49. Creative Writing Using Comics. Teach creative writing to 4th through 8th graders with this lesson that also expands to include vocabulary and a group activity.
50. Learning Storytelling Elements the Fun Way!-A Visual Storytelling Lesson Using Comics. Second and third graders can practice storytelling and sequencing with this lesson.
51. Buzz! Whiz! Bang! Using Comic Books to Teach Onomatopoeia. Great for grades 3-5, this four-part lesson lets students create their own comic strip while exploring onomatopoeia.
52. Comics in the Classroom as an Introduction to Narrative Structure. Sequencing, story-telling, and plotting are all part of this lesson appropriate for 3rd-5th graders.
53. Creating Comic Strips. Students in 4th through 6th grade can learn about sequencing, drawing, and humor with this lesson.
54. Make Family Comic Strips. Appropriate for grades 2-5, this lesson guides students through creating a comic strip depicting a funny event from their family.
55. Story Switch Comics. For learners in 1st-3rd, this lesson allows students to change the problem in a familiar story and draw it in a cartoon.
56. Book Report Alternative: Examining Story Elements Using Story Map Comic Strips. Students will independently and as a group read a text, identify elements of the story, then create a comic strip to report what they learned.
57. Gabbing About Garfield: Conversing About Texts With Comic Creator. Students play an online sequencing game using Garfield comics, discuss the elements of comic strips, and create their own.
58. To, Too, or Two: Developing an Understanding of Homophones. After studying homophones, students will create a skit acting out the homophones, then convert their skit to a comic strip.

Lesson Plans for Middle School

Middle school teachers will find plenty of great ideas for teaching with comics among these lesson plans.

59. Comic Book Characters. 5th through 7th graders can study gender representations in media through an examination of comics with this lesson.
60. Greek and Latin Roots Lesson Plan: Superhero Comic Strip. Let students show their knowledge of Greek and Latin root words by creating a superhero comic strip in this lesson plan.
61. Comic Book Project – Grades 5-8. This writing lesson emphasizes such concepts as creating conflict and resolution, sequential writing, action verbs, descriptive language, and onomatopoeia.
62. Comic Strip (Lesson Plan). Students create their own comic strip in this lesson that is easily adjusted for any age.
63. Fair Housing Lesson Plan. This lesson uses a bilingual comic book as the text and teaches 7th and 8th graders about the Fair Housing Act.
64. Cartoon Project. 7th through 12th graders can reinforce math concepts of ratio and proportion in this lesson.
65. Change Happens. Study the development and change of tools and systems through creating comic strips.
66. Make a Statement. Students take a position on the politics during the American Revolutionary War and convey their stance through several different mediums, including comics.
67. A Directed Listening-Thinking Activity for the Tell-Tale Heart. Students listen to a reading of Poe’s Tell-Tale Heart and write a response in comic strip form.
68. Book Report Alternative: Comic Strips and Cartoon Squares. A great alternative to traditional book reports, this lesson has students explore comic books and graphic novels in order to create a report of a traditional book.

Lesson Plans for High School

These lesson plans supply creative, engaging, and educational ways to incorporate comics.

69. Lesson Plan: Maus. This high school lesson uses Art Spiegelman’s comic book, Maus (the first comic to win the Pulitzer Prize), to teach students about the Holocaust and World War II. Read through the information about comic book programs, then find this lesson plan at the end of the report.
70. The Comic Book Show and Tell. Students will draft a comic book script based on a prompt, create a layout, revise their drafts, and share revisions with others.
71. Comic Book Show and Tell. Related to the above lesson, this group activity allows students to create and draw their own story through the medium of comics.
72. Comic Makeovers: Examining Race, Class, Ethnicity, and Gender in the Media. Students will learn to recognize stereotypes as presented by the media in this two-week lesson that culminates in a "comic character makeover."
73. Man in the Iron Mask Teachers’ Guide. This detailed lesson plan for the Marvel Illustrated version of Man in the Iron Mask includes vocabulary, cross-curricular applications, literacy standards, and detailed instructions for lessons.
74. Last of the Mohicans Teachers’ Guide. The second from Marvel Illustrated, use this lesson plan and graphic novel to supplement your class’ reading of the novel.
75. Treasure Island Teachers’ Guide. The third in the series, be sure to use this lesson plan when studying Treasure Island in class.
76. American Born Chinese Lesson Plans. This guide offers suggestions for teaching culture and history using graphic novels.
77. Examining Transcendentalism Through Popular Culture. Students learn about Emerson, Thoreau, and aspects of transcendentalism through popular culture–including comics.

Lesson Plans for All Ages

These lesson plans are adaptable for a wide range of student.

78. Comic Strip Lesson Plan. This lesson plan is actually for an ESL class, but can easily be used in any class and is adjustable to the age and/or reading level of the students.
79. Superhero Comic Strip. This lesson plan can be adjusted from 3rd grade up to 12th grade and focuses on the difference between a hero and a superhero as well as creating a comic strip.
80. Character and Plot Development Through Comics. Character, plot development, point of view, and tone are learned through this lesson plan that is specifically aligned to the Florida testing standards.
81. Comic Strip. This lesson can be adjusted for any age and reinforces listening skills and comprehension.
82. Art Lesson Inspired by Japanese Manga. Adaptable to any age, this art lesson uses Manga as inspiration for learning to draw.
83. Comic Book Superheroes Unmasked!. This study guide from the History Channel offers suggestions for teaching this lesson to middle and high school students and also includes a link to the video.
84. Comic Concepts. For students in 4th to 12th grade, this lesson allows students to create and draw their own comic narrative based on one of three styles.
85. Autobiographical Comics. This project steps teachers through guiding middle and high school students through creating comics to detail autobiographical stories.

Manga and Anime

Manga (the written comics) and Anime (the motion cartoons) are not only super popular in Japan, but have gained a huge following around the world as well. Both Manga and Anime provide important lessons not only about Japanese culture, but about education and life lessons as well.

86. Using Manga Comics in Education. This article details the use of Manga in classrooms outside Japan.
87. Wanna Learn About Statistics? Read a Comic. This article describes a Manga comic that teaches statistics and previews others coming up that will cover calculus and more.
88. Manga Another Comic Format Worthy of Classroom Consideration. This blog post offers a detailed look at Manga, why it can be an important teaching tool, and the age-appropriate levels for Manga.
89. Anime and Manga: It’s Not All Make-Believe. This professor examines both the benefits and drawbacks of teaching these forms in the classroom and also offers some excellent recommendations for classroom use.
90. Manga Start! Resource Library. The lessons here are specifically for K-12 teachers who want to teach their students to draw Manga.
91. Anime (and Manga) for Parents (and Other Grownups). This site is an excellent starting place for parents and teachers to learn about Anime and Manga, and it also provides recommendations for both.

Free Comics for Educators

Now that you are ready to start working with comics in your classroom, find out how you can get started with these free comics.

92. Classical Comics. Teachers and students can download these comics based on Shakespeare’s works such as Romeo and Juliet and The Tempest.
93. Free Comic Book Day is This Saturday. While it’s too late for this year, put the first Saturday of May on your calendar to receive free comic books.
94. Career Comic Book. Get free samples of this comic book that details the work veterinarians do.
95. AMU Reprints. Teachers can receive seven reprints a year from this service that archives most of the popular comics found in print.
96. verb lesson – grammar comics. Download this free comic that teaches about verbs from the ebook, Grammar Comics!.
97. The KidsKnowIt Network Funny Pages. These original comics are free for educators to download and change weekly.
98. Nature Special Comic Book Offer. The PBS show, Nature, is offering free comic books targeted at pre-teens and teens to educators and cover stories related to three Nature episodes.
99. Cindi in Space Comic Book. Download this free comic book that is specifically for grades 6-9, but appropriate for students outside that range.
100. Free Comics from TeachKind. This organization offers four free comics for teachers that are targeted at students from 7-13 years old.