Lesson Basics

Title: Comics, Culture and Communication

Duration: Two to three 50 minute classes. However, this lesson is designed in such a way so that the themes could be continued and elaborated upon in further lessons (Comics and Culture could even be an entire semester!).

Students:
High Intermediate adult non-immigrant academic ESL students. (However, this lesson could be adapted for many different ages and abilities.)

Equipment:
Projector/ way of displaying comics so that entire class can see them
Student access to computers with internet outside of class

Objectives:
To practice effective story telling, summarizing Techniques, reading and writing
To explore subjects of Cultural Differences and Cross-cultural Understanding
To inspire creativity, authentic interaction in target language and task-based language production

Materials and Web-based resources:
Comics to use as in-class modeling tools
Blogger.com
Makebeliefscomix.com

Student Output:
Written script describing/ summarizing comic
2 Blog posts
2 responses to Peer Blog posts
Student-created Comic Strip relating to theme of Cultural differences

Assessment:
35% In-class participation
20% Blog posts
10% Peer Blog post responses
35% Student-created Comic Strip

Rationale for using Web 2.0 resources:
The use of Class and Student Blogs in this lesson as a supplement to in-class work allows students to thoughtfully share their written work, not only with the instructor, but also with their peers. It also provides a forum for peer response, inspires intrinsic motivation and gives quieter students a chance to shine.
Creating their own comic strip online gives students the opportunity to engage in material in experiential and meaningful ways and allows them to take pride in their own learning.

Lesson plan outlined below. Click here or on the link to the right to see the Class Blog for students. Feel free to comment and give constructive feedback on any portion of this (Just click the 'comments' button at the end of each post).