Tech Integration Project
Lesson Accelerator: Project Overview

Fat Or Fit?
Software Type: Multimedia Applications
The example project created in this Lesson Accelerator addresses NETS Performance Indicators for middle grades as used in a(n) Health curriculum. It could also be used with older learners or adapted for lower grades. See the section on Extending and Adapting at the bottom of this page for ideas on how to use this same project for different subjects, grades, and skill levels.
Project Launchers
Lesson Accelerator Project Launcher pages contain video tutorials that show you, step-by-step, how to create this project using specific software applications, as well as a movie showing you what the finished project looks like. They also provide a download of all the example files used in the project, so you can recreate it.
When you've reviewed all the information on this page and would like to go to a Project Launcher, click the application name below that corresponds to the one you'd like to use for the project.
Go to: Comic Life 1 (Mac) - Project Launcher FREE!
Description
Students will use the Comic Life application to create a two-page flyer about the benefits of exercise. Comic Life contains specialized templates and tools for combining text and images in a comic book format. Students will learn how to create comic panels of different shapes and sizes, how to add images to their panels, and how to add speech balloons, as well as other text elements to their comic pages. This project can be completed individually or in small groups.
Goals
To provide students with an opportunity to present health-related information in a unique format – the comic book.
Objectives
The student will be able to:
  • Create a new document in Comic Life.
  • Use the basic tools to add panels, images, and speech balloons.
  • Manipulate and change the elements on their comic pages.
  • Use page templates and built-in styles.
  • Print their document or create a PDF version of their document.
Preparation and Skill Mastery
Students should have mastered basic computer skills, such as opening and saving documents, and using input devices, such as a mouse, keyboard, or tablet. Students will need access to the example images included in the downloadable resource packet that accompanies this project, or access to other digital images for placing on their comic pages.
Materials
  • Computer with Comic Life software installed.
  • An electronic or printed copy of the final example project to use for placement and text guidelines.
  • Digital images (examples are included in the downloadable resource packet for this Lesson Accelerator).
  • Printer (optional).
Task List
The tasks to be completed for this project include:
  • Adding panels manually to a blank page.
  • Adding images to panels.
  • Adding text elements to the comic page.
  • Adding speech balloons.
  • Changing the attributes of page elements.
  • Manipulating elements on a page.
  • Expanding the comic beyond a single page.
Assessment
Assessment can be based on the following:
  • Was the student able to demonstrate mastery of the basic tools within the application?
  • Was the student able to add and manipulate images on their comic pages?
  • Was the student able to add and manipulate speech balloons on their comic pages?
  • Was the student able to add lettering and caption elements to their comic pages?
  • Was the student able to create a PDF document of their comic pages?
Extending or Adapting
Here are some possible ways that this lesson plan might be extended or adapted for different timeframes, grade levels, and skill/ability levels:
  • This project can be easily adapted to any subject area. Find digital images that fit the subject being discussed in class and ask students to create a comic book using those images. For example: students in a Biology class might create a comic book about basic genetics or the life cycle of an organism.
  • Comics generally depend heavily on images to tell the story, rather than text. This makes them well suited for young children, ESL students, or language-challenged students who might have an easier time communicating a message through images and limited text.
  • If students have access to a digital camera, this project can be extended to include taking and preparing the digital images. Images of class members in different settings could be used as the characters in the comic panels.