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The Teaching Librarian 25.1 23 Allison Hall Stop motion animation can be used across many different subject areas and is a great way to incorporate media into other curricular strands. Here are a few ideas: Retell: Have students retell a simple story by creating characters out of paper and using stop motion. Narrative: Students can create their own narrative movies using stop motion. Be sure to use a storyboard for planning before the students begin filming. Procedural Writing: Have students build a simple object out of Lego and then explain how they built it using transition word titles like first, then, next, finally. Commercial/Book Trailer/PSA: Students can create a commercial, book trailer or public service announcement using stop motion animation. After they come up with a topic, prompt students to determine the purpose, audience and message of their media piece before they begin the planning process. Math Patterning: Using pattern blocks, have students create growing and shrinking shape patterns and film them using stop motion. Life Cycles: Ask students to recreate a simple life cycle in stop motion - egg to chick, seed to plant - using paper, plasticine or even stones. Cell Mitosis: Show the process of cell mitosis using paper animation or plasticine. There are numerous stop motion apps available in the app store. Here are a few free ones to try: Stop Motion Studio • easy interface for students • onion skin • grid • built-in sound effects and music library • microphone for voice over • can add text Stikbot Studio • simple interface • onion skin • built-in sound effects and music library • green screen feature • video and image mode • microphone for voice over • can add clip-art and text to images iMotion • grid • onion skin • time-lapse feature • interface for older students Stop motion animation is a wonderful way for students of all ages to get creative with their projects and bring creatures to life. z Stop Motion Tips 1. Make sure the iPad doesn't move during filming. Use a tripod or prop the iPad up securely. 2. Give students time to play. Students need to practice the technique before they can begin their final project. 3. Make a plan. Use a storyboard to help students plan their project. 4. Keep it short. It takes time and patience to make a stop motion film. Aim for a minute or less on the first attempt. 5. Keep it simple. A simple plan will result in a better end product. 6. Add sound. Even if there's no narration, music and sound effects will help enhance the film. 7. Use the onion skin. If the iPad moves by accident, you can line up your next shot properly. 8. Create a background. If you're not using a green screen, have students draw or create a background set. 9. Use green straws or green string to help move characters and props when using a green screen for the background. 10. Have fun!