Years ago, I made a file folder game that has traveled with me to elementary, middle school, special education, adult education and homeschool classrooms. This language arts- reading game uses cartoons, comic strips and graphic novels. I call this game Cartoon Cut-Ups.
Each student is given an envelope containing the individual frames of one cartoon strip. I use the colored comics from the Sunday cartoons in the newspaper. Each comic strip have six to eight frames. The object of the game is to reassemble the mixed up cartoon frames back in their original order so that the cartoon makes sense. Graphic novels work well also, but generally have more frames. Assembling a graphic novel cartoon will be more challenging.
Cartoon Cut-Ups challenges a student skills in looking for details, sequencing, ordering and classifying. Cartoon Cut-Ups helps students explore and understand, plot, dialog, time progression, if-then relationships, contextual clues, drawing conclusions, making inferences and predicting character behavior. Higher order thinking skills practiced include analysis, application and synthesis.
When choosing a comic strip to use for this reading game, look for cartoon that show plot progression at various levels of comprehension. Look for comic strips in which the plot progression can be traced from frame to frame. Many cartoons rely not only on dialog to carry the plot, but picture or context clues. Characters' facial expressions help identify the plot, also.
To make Cartoon Cut-Ups, you will need:
-one blank manila file folder
-assorted comic strips, cartoons and graphic novels
-scissors
-small envelopes
-small round or square stickers
-gallon sized zipper bag
-stapler
-laminating materials or contact paper
-dark marker
Procedure:
-Rule off 12 large squares on the inside of file folder, and outline them in dark marker. Number each square inside 1-12.
-Laminate the file and the uncut comic strip.
-Affix a sticker to the back of each cartoon frame and label the stickers in order. This way, students can self-check their work, correct any errors and have immediate feedback.
-Cut comic strips apart along the frame lines.
-Place individual comic strip pieces in unsealed envelope and label with name and difficulty level.
-Gather all cartoon envelopes into zippered bag. Leaving bag open staple one side to inside of file folder, below the zipper area. Seal bag.
-Label outside of folder with game name. Write directions on the back.
