| Comics for a Cause |
Bismarck Students Develop "Comics for a Cause"
Roosevelt Elementary School fourth graders, Corey and Cory were talking about comics during a study trip on the bus. About a week later, Corey and Cory were talking about comics again on the swings and fourth grader, Nathan, overheard them and had the idea of selling school comics. Corey and Cory liked Nathan's idea. They went to ask Mrs. Pomonis, their teacher, if she thought it was a good idea. She suggested they talk to Mrs. Rodenburg and that they think of a cause for the money they would raise. Mrs. Rodenburg liked their idea, but she had some suggestions for them. First, they needed to think of what they would do with the money raised. They decided to help purchase an accessible swing for Anna and Nicole, two girls in their school in wheelchairs. She also suggested that in their comics, they should not have any put-downs or violence, and they needed to be original. They talked to Mrs. Beasler, their Library Media Specialist, about copyright. She showed them a website called "Comic Creator." They used this site to help them write their first book. They also talked to Larry Heinle, a playground equipment salesman, and he told them the cost of the swing, $1,570.00. He then made a $30.00 donation to their cause. For about three weeks, the boys stayed in from morning and noon recess to work on writing comics. Mrs. Pomonis let them use the classroom computers. 
Their first sale was during a school evening event called "Chili/Bingo Night". They set up a table near the entrance and charged $1.00 per comic book. They made about $100.00. Some people were generous and donated more than they needed to.After their first sale, Tanner joined the writing team. Their next sale was after school one day. They raised about $20.00. Then Brett joined the group, too. They had a Christmas after school sale and raised about $30.00. By now, they had five comic books written. Corey's mom took the comic books to her work and raised $52.00 for the cause. They had also gotten an e-mail from "Bismarck Tribune" reporter Sheena Dooley, and she wanted to do an article on the group. They got on the front page of the "Bismarck Tribune" two days later. After working with "Comic Creator" for awhile, the boys decided that it had stifled their ideas because they couldn't move the characters around, and they had a limited amount of space to write their words. So, they decided to draw their own comics. To their good luck, the boys had an artist come from Theo Art School named Ali LaRock. Ms. LaRock taught an art class in the 4th grade classroom after school. She showed them some manga books and abstract pictures. Corey, Nathan and Cory were in the art class and they learned a lot. They took some of these ideas to help in their comic book designs. They are still in the process of finishing a new comic book. 
During this whole process, the boys had some fights and disagreements, but they worked them out. One thing they did to help was to name one good trait about each member of the group and name one trait that needed work. That way, they all felt good about what they were good at, but also it was a kind way to help each other improve. Sometimes, the boys used the "just walk away" plan for helping a problem. This allowed them to clear their thoughts and calm down.The boys have used many life skills during this project. They have used integrity, friendship and caring, problem solving, responsibility, organization, flexibility, effort, initiative, cooperation, common sense, sense of humor, courage, perseverance, and have lots of pride in their work. In recent weeks, another fourth grader has joined the group. Sean is the newest member. The boys continue to produce comic books in order to raise money for Anna and Nicole's swing. |