#2159. Writing using Speech Bubbles in kindergarten or gr. 1

Reading/Writing, level: Elementary
Posted Sun Mar 4 07:21:07 PST 2001 by Kathleen Carpenter ().
Plainfield Early Childhood Center & Teachers.Net, Plainfield, CT US
Materials Required: Books, comics containing speech bubbles
Activity Time: Over a period of several days
Concepts Taught: Dialog, speech bubbles, writing in kindergarten, quotation marks

For readers/writers and those at the pre-reading/writing stage, try using speech bubbles as a way to draw out and motivate kids to read and write.

Select a book containing speech bubbles (The Grouchy Lady Bug by Eric Carle is one, there are many others). After reading the story and making note of the dialog inside the bubbles, discuss the use of the speech bubbles-that they contain only the exact words the character says, any clue about HOW it is said is conveyed through punctuation and perhaps the type of font used (no "he yelled" or "she whispered"), and how the point on the bubble points to the character speaking. Relate the use of speech bubbles to what is contained inside quotation marks (some call them "talking marks").

Have the kids look for, perhaps cut out and collect examples of speech bubbles from comics, newspapers, magazines to display (could be homework project with family). Locate and discuss examples of "thinking bubbles" too.)

Let the students experiment with using speech bubbles you have prepared: Ask them to draw a picture showing two characters then make available pre-cut speech bubbles. Children should write (if too young, dictate for transcription) dialog for the characters inside the speech bubbles, then glue it on pointing to the appropriate character in his/her drawing.

After that, leave lots of speech bubble cutouts at the Writing Center!