Living History Through Clay Animation By Shelly Laschkewitsch

Why Clay Animation? Engages multiple intelligences Helps students showcase their knowledge Reaches a variety of learners: visual, auditorial, kinesthetic Helps students grasp certain concepts or events Motivates and engages students to learn Encourages connections and communication Helps students learn better while transforming information

National Educational Technology Standards Creativity and Innovation Communication and collaboration Research and Information Fluency Critical thinking, problem solving, decision making Digital Citizenship Technology Operations and Concepts

History Ideas Explore what it might have been like to live during a particular time in history Dr. Martin Luther King giving a speech Characters discussing rights and freedoms Explain cultural differences Show how Egyptians might have built the pyramids Have students create a clay animation movie that depicts a historic event, reflecting the culture, political climate and social structure at that time-

Equipment Digital Camera and tripod Modeling Clay Wire or pipecleaners Sculpting tools Craft materials Computer Stop Motion Animation Software

Production Cycle Set up student teams Research the topic Write or outline a script Storyboard Design background, props and scenery Make clay figures Film clay animation Transfer photos to computer Edit animation on the computer Format animation Share animation with class

Storyboard Make a storyboard: a visual map that shows how the project will proceed Helps plan the main shots Use basic shapes, stick figures, simple background A working document Can use index cards

Backgrounds Background scenery can be made from a variety of materials: e.g., a trifold cut in half, construction paper, calendars, felt board, cardboard box, wood, draped fabric or use a green screen

Scenery To make the animation more interesting and engaging, you’ll want to add scenery and props such as trees, bushes, rocks, benches, furniture, etc. Scenery materials: paper mach é, cardboard, Legos ®, Lincoln logs, sand, moss, live plants, dollhouse furniture, etc.

Clay Figures Materials suggested: modeling clay, pipe cleaners or 16-gauge wire, styrofoam balls, foil, googly eyes, beads, sequins, fabric Craft tools: rolling pin, clay modeling tools, pasta maker, popsicle sticks, foam sheets, baby wipes Tips: keep characters simple, make large feet, don’t make head heavy, make figures short

Clay Best is nondrying modeling clay such as: -Claytoon™ -Sargent Art -Prang -Alex -Klean Klay -RoseArt

Armature Armature is the skeleton of the clay figure. It helps keep the figure strong, flexible and dense. SuggestedMaterials: 16-gauge wire pipe cleaners foil masking tape styrofoam cork

Digital Camera Want a camera that: Has a close-up setting Can be attached to a tripod Has a memory card with at least 4 GB With 4-megapixels or larger Has a retractable 3x zoom lens Has a USB connection

Filming Use a tripod to keep camera steady Position camera about 2 feet away Use good lighting Take multiple photos of each shot Move figures about ¼” at a time Make basic movements Use fishing line to hang figures in the air

Stop Motion Software Frames SAM Animation Movie Maker iMovie Claymation Studio StopMotion Pro Tech4learning Tufts University Honest Technology

Editing Delete unnecessary frames Edit & rearrange frames Add sound effects Record sounds or voice Add dialogue as text if desired Add title Add credits Set timing for animation

Tips Purchase supplies at RAFT, dollar stores, craft stores, Target, Home Depot, online Clay figures shouldn’t be too tall Move figures in tiny increments Take 2 frames (photos) for each movement Film on a surface that clay sticks to Be patient

Classroom Integration Use handouts: Project Proposal Form, Plan Form, Project Rubric, Self Assessment Form Show samples of clay animation movies Keep animation short Expect to take about 8 hours Have students work in teams Maybe complete a unit of study on a particular time period

Sample Clay Animations Mission Life American Indians Basket Weaving D-Day

Lewis & Clark Expedition American Indians Fishing

Living History Hopefully through the experience of your students making a clay animation about a historical event, they will have “lived” that event…………..