A How to ToonDoo
Downloads for this lesson plan
Introduction
Students will have a list of the general topics they have studied in the geometry unit. They will choose one of the topics and then create a cartoon on ToonDoo.com that teaches readers “how to do….” something about their topic in a creative way. For example, students may choose the topic of angles and use their cartoon to explain how to classify angles by their measurement.
As a required component of my class, students are asked to “Brain Bubble” their work. Brain Bubbles are thought bubbles in which students write anything that supports/justifies their work. (Brain Bubbles are separate from work; they support the work.) This assignment will help students think critically to develop Brain Bubbles for their comic characters that support the work we have done in class.
Prerequisite Experience
Students should have developed an understanding of the following topics before completing this assignment:
- congruency
- angle classifications
- angle relationships (ex: vertical, corresponding, alternate interior & exterior angles)
- 3-D figures and corresponding nets
- triangles
- quadrilaterals
- bisectors
- interior angles of polygons
Students should also be familiar with using a mouse to manipulate images. Teachers should be familiar with registering students on ToonDoo.com and using the various features on the site.
Teacher Prep Time
1 hour (this includes time to complete the following):
-Make copies of the assignment
-Make copies of the parent letter
-Obtain laptops and make sure they are in working condition
-Obtain an LCD player with laptop & internet connection
-Register for and research ToonDoo.com to become familiar with the tools
Project
Students will create an orginal ToonDoo comic strip that illustrates how to do something about a geometry topic of their choice. They will choose from this list of topics:
- congruency
- angle classifications
- angle relationships (ex: vertical, corresponding, alternate interior & exterior angles)
- 3-D figures and corresponding nets
- triangles
- quadrilaterals
- bisectors
- interior angles of polygons
The ToonDoo should show evidence that the student makes use of efficient strategies to explain their chosen topic. Strategies should be mathematically sound.
Assessment/Grading
RubricTime Management Tips
- One week before the project begins, make copies of the parent letter & explain the assignment to students. This will allow students plenty of time to share the assignment with their parents and ensure they have time to return the letters before the launch of the assignment.
- As students return their parent letters, group them into the following groups so that it is easy to manage them when they are completing the project:
- Students who are using a personal email account and have already registered
- Students who are using a personal email account and need to register
- Students who are using a teacher-generated email account and need to register
- Students who will be completing the assignment with paper and pencil
- This assignment was created under a 50-minute bell period. The time for this assignment may need to be modified according to personal schedules.
- Once students are familiar with the tools and procedures for using ToonDoo.com, they can complete the assignment outside of class. It may be helpful to book laptops for an extra day for students who may not have consistent access to the internet or a computer at home.
Lesson Plan Details
Engage
- Display an example of a cartoon made using ToonDoo.com. This could be one that you created, or use the one that is attached to this lesson. The cartoon that is attached has geometry joke to capture students' attention.
- Use the cartoon to introduce the assignment and explain the requirements for the parent letter.
- This should be done several days (or up to a week) before the launch of the assignment to provide students with ample time to return their parent letters.
- On the day that you plan to start the assignment, show the YouTube.com tutorial (see above) or model how to use the tools on ToonDoo.com.
- Discuss how to create safe and secure passwords and take students ideas on why creating secure passwords is important for any Web 2.0 application.
Explore
- Ask students to go through their notes and make a list of 5 main topics that they have studied in the geometry unit.
- As a class create a general list of topics that have been studied.
- Modify student ideas as needed to keep the list general and not specific
- Example: Instead of the topic "acute angles" write "angle classifications"
- Modify student ideas as needed to keep the list general and not specific
- Distribute copies of the assignment and tell students that they will need to choose a topic on the assignment sheet that most interests them.
- If students listed topics that are not on the assignment sheet, but would like to pursue them as their final topic, make sure their ideas correlate with the unit and are appropriate to the assignment.
Explain
- Allow students time to begin designing their ToonDoo comic strips.
- The scenes that students create should illustrate in a unique and creative way how to do something related to the topic of their choice.
- Ex: a student who chose the topic of angle classification may create a cartoon in which the characters present information on determining whether an angle is acute, obtuse, or straight.
- Monitor to make sure students are on task and are manipulating the tools appropriately.
- As students work, ask individuals questions to help them reflect on the design of their project:
- What message do you want to convey to your readers?
- How will the props, characters, scenes support the overall message you want to convey to your readers?
- How can you condense complex topics into simple Brain Bubbles for your characters?
Elaborate
- After choosing appropriate scenes, characters, and props for the assignment, students should begin to synthesize their ideas into Brain Bubbles (thought bubbles) above each character.
- Students should be able to condense complex topics into brief and creative blurbs that inform readers how to do something about their topic.
- The topic should be clear and information in the comic strip should be mathematically sound.
Evaluate
Students will be evaluated using the rubric provided with this lesson. Before submitting this project, students should reflect on their overall product and circle the criteria on the rubric that they feel best describes their product. The rubric contains the following criteria:
- Mathematical Understanding/Explanation:
- Student uses efficient strategies to explain their chosen topic. Strategies are mathematiacll sound. A unique approach was taken to expalin the "How to..."
- Creativity:
- The student makes use of various tools, props, characters to support his/her explanations.
Extend
- Students can post their comic strips in a collaborative workspace such as blog or Wiggio. Peers can comment on and make suggestions to the posted work.