Comic strips can be used to motivate writing in three main ways: 1. They provide authentic materials that combine visuals and text, appealing to students of all ages. 2. Teachers can give students empty comic strips to fill in text for characters or write short stories inspired by the comics. 3. Students can also be encouraged to create their own comic strips or books to tell stories.

1. Motivate Writing with.... Comic Strips TeachMeet International Online Meeting 17/12/2011 By Elinda Gjondedaj

2. Why to use comic strips? Authentic material Combination of discourse with artistic creativity and expression Visual language Appeals to all the ages (Real-life language) Funny way to learn

3. Writing Give comics with empty bubbles... ...and ask students to give voice to the characters

4. Writing Write a short story inspired by the comic Write what the characters are doing Describe the characters in a short paragraph Follow-up writing activities ''Anyone who sees a blank talk or thought balloon floating over the head of a character wants to fill it in with words and thoughts; doing so is the first step to telling a story'' Bill Zimmerman – Creator of makebeliefscomix

5. Writing Ask students create their own comics strips or even books. Created by my younger student, 8 years old Some comic book ideas: My life in comics My superhero story My ideal world

6. Some Comic Strip Ideas You have three wishes. What are they? With the snap of your fingers you could change yourself. Who or what would you become? Your characters are given the power to be bold and brave for one day? What great deeds would they do? Imagine you could talk with a character from a favorite book. Who would that be? What would you talk about?

7. How to create your own comic strip? Makebeliefscomix.com Writecomics.com Superherosquad.marvel.com

8. Thank you for attending! You can see my work at: Magic in Education! - Blog: www.magicineducation.wordpress.com Facebook: Elinda Gjondedaj Twitter: @ElindaGjondedaj