Drawing · Writing · Talking
Ragged colt comic
A three-panel comic about yourself or a character who starts out clumsy at something and gets good at it.
- 30 minutes
- On your own
- Ages 9–12, Ages 12+
- Classroom or at home
- Printable: comic strip
What to do
- Read the meaning: many a ragged colt made a fine horse. Talk about what a colt is and why a young one might look ragged.
- Think of something that was hard for you at first: riding a bike, swimming, reading, a sport, an instrument. Or invent a character.
- Panel 1: the very start, when it went badly. Panel 2: the middle, practising. Panel 3: getting good at it.
- Draw each panel. On the lines underneath, write what was happening or what the character was thinking.
- Share your comic with someone. Ask them what they are a ragged colt at right now.
Questions to talk about
- Is there something you are a ragged colt at now?
- What would you say to someone younger who is just starting?
You will need
- The printed comic strip
- A pencil and an eraser
- Coloured pencils (optional)
Make it fit
Simpler: Draw the first and last panels only and talk through the middle.
More of a stretch: Draw yourself as an actual colt growing into a horse, while the captions tell your real story.
Printables
The instructions card is for the adult running the activity; the worksheet is for the children. Prints on A4 or US Letter at 100% / actual size; colour is optional.
The comic strip
Ragged colt comic
Name
Draw the start, the practising and the getting good.
The instructions card
How to run it · Drawing · Writing · Talking
Ragged colt comic
A three-panel comic about yourself or a character who starts out clumsy at something and gets good at it.
30 minutesOn your ownAges 9–12, Ages 12+
What to do
- Read the meaning: many a ragged colt made a fine horse. Talk about what a colt is and why a young one might look ragged.
- Think of something that was hard for you at first: riding a bike, swimming, reading, a sport, an instrument. Or invent a character.
- Panel 1: the very start, when it went badly. Panel 2: the middle, practising. Panel 3: getting good at it.
- Draw each panel. On the lines underneath, write what was happening or what the character was thinking.
- Share your comic with someone. Ask them what they are a ragged colt at right now.
You will need
- The printed comic strip
- A pencil and an eraser
- Coloured pencils (optional)
Talk about
- Is there something you are a ragged colt at now?
- What would you say to someone younger who is just starting?
Make it fit
Simpler: Draw the first and last panels only and talk through the middle.
Stretch: Draw yourself as an actual colt growing into a horse, while the captions tell your real story.
Goes with the printable comic strip.