Embedded Files
Who doesn't love the comics in the newspaper? Not that students read newspapers all that much anymore, but I choose to believe that the love for comics is still there! "Make Beliefs Comix" provides a very simple user experience to allow students to create their own comic strips. It's simplicity allows younger students especially to dive into creating their own comics without too much prep time, in terms of teaching them how to use the resource. Whether you would like your students to illustrate a scene from a novel or tell a story from history, "Make Beliefs Comix" allows students to showcase their personality and their creativity simply and easily!
Who doesn't love the comics in the newspaper? Not that students read newspapers all that much anymore, but I choose to believe that the love for comics is still there! "Make Beliefs Comix" provides a very simple user experience to allow students to create their own comic strips. It's simplicity allows younger students especially to dive into creating their own comics without too much prep time, in terms of teaching them how to use the resource. Whether you would like your students to illustrate a scene from a novel or tell a story from history, "Make Beliefs Comix" allows students to showcase their personality and their creativity simply and easily!
1. Setup
1. Setup
1. From the homepage, click "CREATE YOUR COMIX!" to begin. If you would like to walk through the demo put together by "Make Beliefs Comix," select "CLICK TO VIEW DEMO" to the left.
2. Give your "Comix" a title and put your name in as well.
2. Backgrounds
2. Backgrounds
Planning out the "Comix Strip" is an important step for students. They need to have an objective for the assignment. Students should determine what it is they want to focus on within the "Comix Strip," what information will they include, and what characters, objects, and backgrounds will best represent that within their work. Once the objectives are determined, the creation of the actual "Comix Strip" can take place. I suggest starting with the background and working from there.
Planning out the "Comix Strip" is an important step for students. They need to have an objective for the assignment. Students should determine what it is they want to focus on within the "Comix Strip," what information will they include, and what characters, objects, and backgrounds will best represent that within their work. Once the objectives are determined, the creation of the actual "Comix Strip" can take place. I suggest starting with the background and working from there.
1. At the bottom of your page, there are a number of different options. Scroll to the right and click on "BACKGROUNDS."
2. Highlight the box you would like to work on and then click on the desired background. The background will then appear in the box.
3. There is the option also to simply have a solid color as a background. To do so, first click on "BACKGROUND COLOR."
4. Next, select your color of choice.
3. Characters
3. Characters
The next thing to do would be to add your characters. There are dozens of characters to choose from, each with multiple poses.
The next thing to do would be to add your characters. There are dozens of characters to choose from, each with multiple poses.
1. First, highlight the box you would like to work on. Then click on "CHARACTERS." Finally, scroll through and choose the character you want to insert into your "Comix."
2. Scroll through and choose the character you want to insert into your "Comix." Once you choose the the desired character, select the desired pose. At this point, the character will appear in your "Comix." You can then move the character to the desired location. Click the "Move" icon. Then click and drag your character to where you would like.
Once you have added your characters, you can now re-size them and change the direction they are looking within the "Comix."
Once you have added your characters, you can now re-size them and change the direction they are looking within the "Comix."
**NOTE** The following steps will work with "Balloons," "Objects," and "Words" you insert as well.
**NOTE** The following steps will work with "Balloons," "Objects," and "Words" you insert as well.
1. To have your character face the other way, first click "FLIP." Then click on the character itself.
2. To re-size your character, first click "SCALE." Then click on the character to be re-sized. Finally, click and drag the button which will appear until the desired size is reached.
4. Organization
4. Organization
You also have the option to add any number of objects, words, and expressions into the "Comix." With both characters and objects in the boxes now, it is important to organize them. Depending on the situation, it may be more visually appealing to have the object in front or behind the character. Other times, you may decide that the object was unnecessary and would prefer to see it removed.
You also have the option to add any number of objects, words, and expressions into the "Comix." With both characters and objects in the boxes now, it is important to organize them. Depending on the situation, it may be more visually appealing to have the object in front or behind the character. Other times, you may decide that the object was unnecessary and would prefer to see it removed.
1. To bring an inserted "OBJECT" to the front, first click "BRING TO FRONT." Then click on the object itself.
2. To delete an inserted "Object," first click "DELETE." Then click on the object itself.
5. Balloons and Content
5. Balloons and Content
Now it is time to add content. This is likely where students will meet their objectives the majority of the time. This can be done through adding "Balloons."
Now it is time to add content. This is likely where students will meet their objectives the majority of the time. This can be done through adding "Balloons."
1. First, select the box to work in. Then click "BALLOONS & PROMPTS." Select the appropriately sized balloon depending on the amount of text required.
2. After the "Balloon" appears, click inside the "Balloon" to add your text. Then resize it if necessary and drag it to the appropriate location within the box.
6. Finalization
6. Finalization
Once satisfied with the finished product, it is time to finalize your work. This can be done in one of a number of ways.
Once satisfied with the finished product, it is time to finalize your work. This can be done in one of a number of ways.
1. Click "PRINT EMAIL SAVE"
2. You can choose to finalize your work through a variety of ways. Click "PRINT" to print your completed "Comix." Click "SAVE IMAGE TO DISK" to download the "Comix" to your computer. (I prefer this method because students can then upload the image through their LMS to be graded.) Students can also email a copy to whomever by filling out the information and clicking "EMAIL COMIX."
3. You are also able to save your work and return to it at a later time as well. Click "SIGN IN TO SAVE ONLINE."
4. Click "Register" if you do not have an account, or sign in with your username and password.
5. When you return to the site, click "CREATE YOUR COMIX!"
6. Then, click "RETRIEVE." Pick the previously saved Comix to finish editing!
That's it! You have created a "Comix Strip!"
That's it! You have created a "Comix Strip!"
7. Educational Example
7. Educational Example
Check out the classroom example below!
Check out the classroom example below!
1. This was made for my 7th grade social studies classroom. Embedded within the comic strip are multiple references to west African history and culture. The comic's story centers around Mansa Musa's pilgrimage to Mecca.
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