Level: Upper intermediate
Location: Classroom
Activity: Writing
Language: Past Tenses (past simple, Past continuous, Past perfect)

Preparation
Learners enjoy being creative when it comes to story writing and the visual art in comic books can act as a powerful stimulant for their imagination. The following activity requires each computer to have downloaded and installed the free online program 'Comic Book Creator'. You can then easily access and download the Samorost 2 Comic Book Capers activity. Option 1 is print off enough copies for each learner or for a group of 5. Option 2 is to have a different copy of theSamorost 2 Comic Book Capers activity on each computer in the computer room. Option 1 means you only have to download and install the online program Comic Book Creator on one computer in order to print the copies. Option 2 may mean you have to get administrative permission from your school to download the program - it is a great tool though.




Screenshot of page 1 of the Samorost Comic Book Capers activity

Play
1 Either on computer screens or copies stuck on the wall, learners go round and discuss the story as a whole in pairs. This means that when they come to write one of the comic book pages there is a little awareness of the story as a whole and how their page will be part of a whole.

2 Learners sit down in new pairs with a copy of a Samorost Comic Book page (at a computer or with a printed copy) and discuss what the characters might be saying and what is happening in each frame on the comic book.

3 Learners take it in turns to write the story.

4 Monitor to provide input, help and interest. Encourage the use of reported speech, narrative tenses and dramatic language.

5 When learners have finished the activity they can read the comic book pages produced by other groups.

6 Discuss any plot flaws and continuity problems and reach for a resolution and then edit where necessary.

7 Turn their work into a product. A cover could be designed for homework, a blurb written and either made into a printed comic or ask learners to find out how they may display their work online.

8 Finally the class can vote on a title for the Samorost 2 adventure.