Unit 18 - Year 3 Lessons

Overview

Students will use stop motion planning and small action changes to animate figures and simple building scenes.

Target skills:

• Animation Observation
• Frame Sequencing
• Motion Design

Tools:

• Stop Motion Studio

Outputs:

• Stop motion action scene
• Stop motion building sequence

Week 1 - Stop Motion Action Figure

Lesson 1 - Animate an Action Figure

Goal: 3D printed action figures /any action figure from the KEA big lego blocks is also fine . -move arms and legs.

Teacher prep:

• Prepare access to Stop Motion Studio and any sample files needed for demonstration.

Steps:

1. 3D printed action figures /any action figure from the KEA big lego blocks is also fine . -move arms and legs.
2. Stop motion studio https://www.stopmotionstudio.com/try
3. Https://play.google.com/store/apps/details-id=com.cateater.stopmotionstudio&hl=en
4. Talk about the Ideas for action to do.
5. But use only 1 action together If there is more than 1 action figure, can do individually or in group
6. Easiest just walking, sit down on a block/”chair”, simple actions
7. Nothing that is too many movements, easy actions.
8. Set the computer up like up side down V. - set the computer up so it does not move around when taking picture etc
9. Using some paper tape to the table to create a small field that the students will use. OR a lego square plate taped to the table., only the figure might not be stable on it.
10. Using the stop motion studio
11. Set the first start of the animation up.
12. Taking pictures and slightly move the figure to do what is required
13. Be cautious of moving the plate or the computer or the hands/body/face of students being in the picture. - Make sure students are out of the camera shot before - computer shifting Can use maybe a heavy book behind the computer to create a backing so it doesn't shift so much.
14. Repeat this and continuing the idea or the already camera set up to reset and try new actions.
15. May use tape to make the character “jump”

Check for understanding:

• Students complete the core workflow for the lesson.
• Students can explain at least one design choice or animation decision.

Extension: Try the same workflow again with a new idea, subject, or visual style.

Lesson 2 - Continue With New Actions

Goal: Continue maybe thinking of other easy ideas, holding lego blocks and moving them around.

Teacher prep:

• Prepare access to Stop Motion Studio and any sample files needed for demonstration.

Steps:

1. Continue maybe thinking of other easy ideas, holding lego blocks and moving them around.

Check for understanding:

• Students complete the core workflow for the lesson.
• Students can explain at least one design choice or animation decision.

Extension: Try the same workflow again with a new idea, subject, or visual style.

Week 2 - Stop Motion Building Scene

Lesson 1 - Build a Lego Scene in Stop Motion

Goal: Action is moving around blocks to build a lego house or something else that is simple to make from lego.

Teacher prep:

• Prepare access to Stop Motion Studio and any sample files needed for demonstration.

Steps:

1. Action is moving around blocks to build a lego house or something else that is simple to make from lego.

Check for understanding:

• Students complete the core workflow for the lesson.
• Students can explain at least one design choice or animation decision.

Extension: Create a second variation or extend the project with extra details if time allows.

Lesson 2 - Create a New Stop Motion Idea

Goal: Continue thinking of new ideas.

Teacher prep:

• Prepare access to Stop Motion Studio and any sample files needed for demonstration.

Steps:

1. Continue thinking of new ideas.

Check for understanding:

• Students complete the core workflow for the lesson.
• Students can explain at least one design choice or animation decision.

Extension: Try the same workflow again with a new idea, subject, or visual style.