Teacher guide · Creative Lab · Medium · about 32 min
💥 Comic Strip Maker
Pupils practise creativity through "Comic Strip Maker": Plan a 4-panel comic with a hero, a problem and a twist.
Lesson guide
1. Hook · 5 min
Show the 💥 mission title and read the opening: "Pick your hero.". Take three quick guesses.
2. Model · 5 min
Think aloud through the first step together. Use Pixel the Fox's line as your prompt: "Nice! That's an idea nobody else had."
3. Do · 10 min
Pairs work through the 5 steps on screen or on the printed sheet. Circulate and ask "why?"
4. Discuss · 10 min
Use two or three of the discussion questions. Ask pairs to share different answers, not just correct ones.
5. Reflect · 5 min
Exit ticket: one sentence on how they used creativity today.
Discussion questions
- What was the hardest choice in "Comic Strip Maker", and why?
- Pick your hero — explain your reasoning to a partner.
- Panel 1: describe where your hero is — explain your reasoning to a partner.
- Panel 2: what problem appears — explain your reasoning to a partner.
- Where could you use creativity outside school this week?
- If you did this again, what would you change?
Adapting it
Support: Read prompts aloud, pair with a confident partner, and accept spoken or drawn answers for writing steps.
Stretch: Ask pupils to create their own extra step for a partner and explain the correct answer.
Curriculum links
- National Curriculum: English: composition — planning and drafting ideas (KS1/KS2)
- National Curriculum: Design & Technology: generate, develop and communicate ideas
- PSHE: Health & wellbeing: self-concept, strengths and interests
Pupil sheet
💥 Comic Strip Maker
Name: ____________________ Date: __________
1. Pick your hero.
☐ A cat with a jetpack
☐ A kid who can talk to plants
☐ A very small superhero
2. Panel 1: describe where your hero is.
3. Panel 2: what problem appears?
4. Pick a sound effect for panel 3.
☐ KA-BOOM!
☐ SPLAT!
☐ ZZZWOOP!
5. Panel 4: how does it end — with a twist?