TEACHING EFL THROUGH COMICS A WEB- BASED LESSON PLAN

Author: María Aurora Ovalles Professor: Evelyn Izquierdo

July, 2011

The following web based plan has been created with the purpose of incorporating internet tools in the EFL classroom and developing writing skills in a creative and fun way.

Date: December, 2011. Teacher: María Aurora Ovalles. Class level: Teenagers/ Pre-intermediate Lesson lenght: two sessions of 90 min. Topic: Christmas Aim: To conceive,create and publish for a

real audience comic strips in English around the topic of Christmas

Objectives: to develop writing skills in a fun and creative way.

Objectives: To introduce learners to process writing stages:

pre writing, drafting,editing and publishing To promote peer editing To promote learning autonomy Web sites used: Toon doo URL: http://ww.toondoo.com Rationale for selecting this site: Toon doo is a

comic strip creator, easy to use and versatile. It allows writing, editing and publishing and it is free.

Other materials: Paper, pens ,pencils, crayons Teacher preparation: Check internet connection Open website Steps for learners: Description of pre-computer classroom activities: Ask students to bring comics strips in English to cla Brainstorm about comics and their characteristics Explain learners class objectives Learners are given a copy of a blank comic strip

template Learners will plan the content of their comic strips

individually and place ideas on the template given(pre writing and drafting)

Description of computer online activities:

Learners will be instructed on the use of Toon doo as follows:

Enter the link http://toondoo.com Create a free account. Choose your username,

password, and write down your email address. Click on ¨toondoo maker. Create your own

comic¨ Select the 3 panels layout Choose a character Drag it to the comic strip Add speech bubbles Write down your previously planned content

Save your comic clicking on ¨save¨ Add a title, a short description and some

tags. Click on ¨publish¨ and click on the options

¨keep it private¨ Go to ¨my toondoos¨ and edit if necessary. Email this comic to your teacher email

address and classmates for feedback.

Description of follow up activities :Learners peer edit comic strips content,

gramar and mechanics. Teacher will check comic strips and give

feedback. Comics strips will be published and placed

on the class wiki

Optional activities:

Print comic strips and place them on the wall.

Organize a comics school event and invite parents.

Organize a comic strips contest and publish winner´s work on the School newsletter

Thank you very much for your attention

References:

http://www.toondoo.com