Learning activities
Animals animated is a literacy and science focused incursion program that engages students in the creation of a stop motion animation communication product using an iPad.
Key questions
What invertebrates are found in our school?
What are some of the features of invertebrates that live in our school?
How do these invertebrates grow and change?
Investigating invertebrates
Students will work in groups of two or three to search for and collect leaf litter or arboreal invertebrates in the gardens and trees found in the school or local area using equipment provided by Field of Mars EEC.
Developing a script, storyboard and props
Students will develop a script in the form of a simple information report. The script will be based on observations of invertebrates as well as simple research using a variety of multimodal texts.
Once the script is complete students will begin to visualise what their final animation will look like. This involves creating a storyboard that will be used to create the animation. A good storyboard simplifies the animation process and ensures students know what is required in each scene.
The script and storyboard will help determine what types of props the students need to create their animation.
The main prop for the animation is an invertebrate. This could be made out of modelling clay, drawn or a photograph. Field of Mars teachers will provide clay and other resources for props.
The props that will be moved will be around the size of a student's thumb. Only one or two moveable objects will be used in the animation.
Creating an animation
The focus of the middle session is to provide students with an opportunity to engage with and creatively explore stop motion animation.
At the start of the session Field of Mars teachers will demonstrate to students how to use the app iStopmotion to create an animation with the assistance of the script, storyboard and props.
A quality animation usually contains 10 pictures per second of film. For a 20 second animation students will need between 180 to 220 frames of animation. To speed up the process a minimum of 5 pictures per second could be used.
Traditionally animations are created by building a small stage indoors. During the program we will utilise the school grounds for creating the animation. Students will use different natural areas for each scene.
In the event of poor weather the 'stage' will move indoors and utilise tote trays to create a setting with natural materials.
Editing an animation
Students will use iMovie to compile their animations into one movie. They will add titles and learn how to improve sound.
Animation theatre
Students will be invited to present their animation on the ‘big screen’ to showcase their efforts to their class.
Animations will be saved and provided to the school for further viewing.
