Life is So Much More Fun When It's in Comic Form

                                

How many of you have seen these types of pictures on Facebook recently?  People showing status messages using funny little cartooned versions of themselves?  

Well, I started seeing them pop in to my feed last weekend, but didn't think much of it.  Then, I started to see more and more of them as the week progressed, so I decided to look in to this Bitstrips thing.  And I was ecstatic when I found out that it was a completely FREE app I could download on to my iPhone.

Basically Bitstrip is an app that allows you to create an avatar for yourself and friends, and then provides funny little scenarios for the avatars to be plugged in to.  The captions are all editable, and speech bubbles can even be added to the scenes if wanted.

I downloaded it yesterday, and I've been having a lot of fun with it.  I started out with something simple...

                            

Then, I decided to add Hubby in to the fun...without his consent, but I didn't need it...

                           

Poor Hubby.  That's actually a pretty decent representation of life in my house every evening.  

The more I played around, though, I noticed that there are HUNDREDS of scenes to create status messages with...and I spent a long time just sifting through my options.

I came across a certain picture that would be perfect for a friend and me.  A couple of weeks ago, I had participated in a Facebook meme that asked friends to make up a way that we met.  It had to be a lie...and the fun began.  My friend had posted that we met in prison.  So, when I saw this next picture, I just had to create an avatar for her and post it on her Facebook wall...

                          

After the whole prison story on Facebook, we joked around with each other about how we are so alike that if either of us ever did end up in jail, the other would be there too.  And, my friend joked around how we were like Thelma and Louse.  So...upon stumbling across another scene...it was perfect, once again...

                         

I had so much fun making these little scenes.  While messing around, I thought about what a great tool this could be in the classroom.  The kids could make their own avatars, find a scene to plug themselves in to, and then create a story based on the scene..or even a couple of scenes.  I think kids would have a blast coming up with some stories based on scenes they created.  I've printed out pictures for them before, to use for their writing, but how much more fun would it be if they were the star in the picture?  In fact, they could make their own little books with Bitstrips...and writing in the story on each page.  

Another project I'm giving myself this weekend is to figure out the best way to use this in the classroom.  There has to be a computer version or something like that....or it may come down to me making avatars for all my kids and self selecting scenes for them to write about.  Almost like giving them writing prompts.

The app provides the ability to look up scenes based on feelings, events, and places.  So, when I was perusing the feelings section, I had to laugh out loud when I saw this one...

                          

Of course, this picture probably wouldn't be appropriate to show in the classroom...because I bet a million dollars not a single one of my students has ever seen Risky Business, and so they would just assume it's a picture of me in my underwear.

Even when I was tired and ready for bed, I had to come up with a Bitstrip to tell the world about it...

                        

I've posted more on my Facebook wall in the past 24 hours than I have in weeks.  I don't really post many status updates.  Maybe one a day...or every other day.  I just don't think that everyone I'm friends with cares that much about what I'm doing.  But, it's a whole new ball game when I'm saying it with funny comic strips.

If I woke up this morning and posted "I need coffee", nobody would care.  That's just boring.  But, when I get to say the same status like this...

                         

That makes it a lot more fun.  I can only imagine how many people saw that on my Facebook this morning and smiled or nodded their head in agreement.  The message I want to convey when I post "I need coffee" is given off loud and clear when I look like a zombie scaring the bejeezus out of some poor guy.

And, right before I came on here to write, I made this little strip...

                         

Of course, it would have been more accurate had it been a laptop in front of me...but the message is still conveyed.

For being a free app, it is definitely something worth checking out if you're in the market for something to just waste a little time on.  There are a few minor kinks that I hope they fix...information overload being one of them.  Because so many people are now trying it out, the server crashes A LOT and it takes several attempts to get my status pictures to post.  I have also received a lot of ERROR messages when trying to look at several of the strips due to too many people being on the server. But, I'm sure the creators didn't really know how popular their little app would become.

Also, even though the options to create the avatars can depict a pretty close representation of the person, the options for clothing is extremely limited.  You can pick an outfit, but have no control over colors...and the options that are given are slim pickings.  Also, I was a little miffed when I realized that when you change the color of the hair, it changes ALL of the hair colors.  For example, Hubby has pink hair.  Yes.  Pink.  I can't portray that in his avatar, however, because even though pink is an option to choose from - it also changes the color of his eyebrows and goatee.  He doesn't have pink eyebrows or a pink goatee, so I had to make his hair the natural color.  Again, minor problem and definitely not enough to turn me away from using the app.

I also really love that you can create comics with friends on Facebook...with our without their permission.  If they haven't created an account for themselves, you can create one for them.  You just hunt for the friend you want to use, set up their avatar, and BAM..they are in.  If they have already set up an avatar for themselves, then you can use that one.  

I'm not sure how many people would be OK with that.  There may be some people who don't want a cartoon character made, but if you're friends with them on Facebook...they are open targets.

So, yeah, that's what I spent a small portion of my time messing around with yesterday.  Today, I have to get some work done.  I'm also going out this evening to the last football game of the season, and it's going to be COLD.  Nothing like spending a cold evening sitting on concrete bleachers, am I right?

OK, that's enough for me for one day.

Have an awesome Friday!!

Exactly My Thoughts!

                             

I saw this picture on Facebook this morning, and immediately had to save it.  The amount of times I've said these very words, or very similar words to friends, family, and students.

In fact, I gave a mini speech about this very thing during the first week of school last year and fully intend on giving the same speech again this coming week.

Working in a highly diverse and low income school comes with it's fair set of challenges.  Kids from families who have overcome major hurdles and struggles just to make it to this country and provide a life for their children that is better than whatever original country they came from.  However, some of what parents and families consider major victories, are often perceived as major setbacks to the children.

What I mean is, a family lives with another family in a small home.  There is barely enough money to make ends meet.  But there is food on the table each night, and running water, and electricity.  There is not any money for long school supply lists, fancy tennis shoes, or name brand clothing.  That stuff comes from donations and local thrift stores.  The heads of the family feel blessed that they have a lot more than what they are used to having.  The kids feel like they are poor and are ashamed and embarrassed about their living situation.

Unfortunately, there are several kids that school supplies and clothes are the last thing they are thinking about.  They leave the school each day wondering if there will be food for them when they get home, or water, or electricity.

For some of the kids, coming to school is an escape.  A place where they can actually be a kid.  Laugh, play, enjoy the company of children their own age.  Not having to worry about babysitting or cleaning or preparing food for other children in the home while the adults are off at work trying to make enough money to live on.  

And for many of these children, when asked about their futures, the answers are often pretty grim.

On the first day of school, I ask each child to fill out a survey about themselves.  The generic sort of stuff - things they like, don't like, favorite foods, candy, games, and I always include the question: What do you want to be when you grow up?

I found that last year, I had the occasional teacher, one doctor, and one business owner.  The rest?  Working at the local chicken plant, or local grocery store, or local restaurant.  

Not that there's anything wrong with those professions...but these kids truly believe that's pretty much all that's available to them.  Many don't think of college or leaving their small town as even the slightest possibility.  Their job will to be to help their families, and do what their families do now.  The limit for them is the city limit.  Period.

So, that's why it's so important for me to give them this little speech.... 

I tell them about moving to America.  For me, it was somewhat of a reverse situation.  In England, I thought we were happy.  We had the latest and greatest clothes, toys, and electronics.  We went to good schools and lived in a good neighborhood.  And then one day, my parents told me I was leaving my home to move to a brand new country.  At first, I was excited, but when we arrived... I wondered what on earth my parents were thinking.

I explain to the kids that the town we moved to is very similar to the town I teach in.  Small population. A few businesses strewn about here and there.  The main source of employment coming from a factory that makes engine parts.  The nearest large town was 30 minutes in one direction and almost an hour in the other.  We had to live with my aunt and uncle for a while, and then moved in with my grandparents.  Being the oldest, it was my job to take care of my younger siblings while my parents worked long hours trying to make enough money to get us our own home.  And when my parents were able to get us our own place, it was a small low income house.  Definitely not big enough for 4 children and a new baby that had just arrived (my baby sister).

I explain that up until that time, I had always wanted to be a teacher.  But, my hopes of reaching that goal started to disappear when I saw how much my family had to struggle.  I started to think that I wouldn't be able to go to college.  That I would forever be stuck in that small town.  Except there was one place that kept my dream alive...and that was school.  Going to school was where I could see my friends, not worry about my home responsibilities, and do things I've never done before... like play a musical instrument, use a computer, and act in plays.  

It was a teacher that kept my dreams alive about one day becoming a teacher.  He encouraged me, challenged me, and uttered those words in the picture to motivate me.  And I made the decision in 8th grade that no matter what my home life was like, I would one day break free of this town, go to college, and become a teacher.

And it wasn't all smooth sailing.  I had some obstacles along the way.  But, I kept those words in my head...and no matter how hard things got, I always reminded myself that I made my own decisions.  I was in charge of my future and how it played out.  I couldn't use anything as an excuse... but myself.  

Everyday since that time, I have reminded and keep reminding myself of that.  It is now my job to be the teacher that inspires my students to do the same.  Break free from the mentality that their town is as good as it gets.  That the chances of college, and a fancy career are not possible.  I want my kids to see what the world has to offer, and make their place in it.  To dream big, and know that dreams can actually become reality.

But it all starts with their choices.  Their decisions.

Give me all you got.  Failure is not an option.

If they think they can't do something because they're not good at math.  I'll teach them.  If they think they can't do something because they can't read very well.  I'll teach them.  If they think they can't do something because they're not sure what they need to do to get there.  I'll show them the way.

That's my job.  Inspire.  Motivate.  And turn dreams in to reality.

Teaching them stuff is just others believe I do.  Yeah, I teach them how to do math problems and how to comprehend something they've read... but I also show them how that "stuff" will help them in the future, how it holds the key to their dreams, and that I can only show them so much..  the rest is up to them.  

  

And one day, my hope is that I start getting notes in the mail... invitations to college graduations, birth announcements, emails about being offered a teaching job, or a doctor's job, or being accepted to a fancy law office, phone calls about new start-up businesses being ventured in to, tales of exotic travel adventures, or philanthropic endeavors.  

My hope is that 20 years from now, I won't drive through that town and know most of the faces.  And if I do, I can feel at ease that the person I see wanted that town to be their home, the place they raised their family...their own choice.  

And that's why that speech is so important.

It's those simple words that lead me to where I am today.  And it's those words that will hopefully lead my students in to tomorrow.