Helping Students Become Technologically Literate Using Clay Animation In Your Classroom Helping Students Become Technologically Literate April Petitt Technology Coordinator Region 5 ESC apetitt@esc5.net

Classroom Movie

Irving ISD Clay Movies Website: Irving ISD The Water Cycle Fraction Action Subjects and Verbs Photosynthesis Forces That Shape Measuring Up Website: Irving ISD

What is Claymation? Claymation is the process of telling a story through the use of clay. The story can be a historical event, a chemical process, a fiction story, etc. All figures and props can be molded from clay or other materials. A background and foreground can be created which would further enhance the story. A series of still pictures are taken with a digital camera. The frames are then put together to create a movie.

Steps for Student Planning Brainstorm in group Sketch of background and characters Storyboard Script Create Background Create Characters Plan area for shooting still shots Import shots in MovieMaker 2 Add audio, transitions, effects, etc.

What student skills are needed? Communication Written Language Organizational Sequential thinking Group collaboration Problem solving Critical thinking Spatial relationships Reflection Assessment Interpersonal Mediation

Reaching Students Artistic Students Students with Learning Differences Creating a clay animation movie gives students the opportunity to use their artistic and creative talents while using clay and technology to communicate and tell a story. Students with Learning Differences Clay animation appeals to multiple intelligences and a broad variety of learners.

Creativity and Collaboration Creativity is encouraged when students sculpt clay characters, draw and paint sets, and animate their stories. Collaboration skills are practiced when students work together to produce a clay animation project.

Language and Math Skills Language skills are engaged while brainstorming and writing the script and storyboard. Mathematical, logical, and spatial skills are used in organizing the project, sequencing the frames, and using digital photography and video editing technology.

Core Class Activities?

Sample Lesson Final Product Storyboard

NETS for Students What is NETS? National Educational Technology Standards released in June 2007 at NECC in Atlanta, Georgia. The NETS were created by ISTE (International Society for Technology) Have influenced our focus on student skills by defining standards for students, and providing guidelines for integrating technology into the curriculum and providing support for technology use.

ISTE NETS Standards vs. Clay Animation activities The primary goal of the ISTE NETS Project is to enable stakeholders in PreK-12 education to develop national standards for educational uses of technology that facilitate school improvement in the United States. NETS Standards vs. Clay Animation activities 3-5 6-8 9-12

Technological Applications Texas Essentials Knowledge and Skills http://staffweb.esc12.net/~lmccray/techintegration/techappsteks.htm

Tech4Learning There are many resources for claymation on the Internet. A list of all resources is included on the claymation wiki. One site that will be helpful is http://www.tech4learning.com/claykit/projects.html This site contains planning sheet, storyboard, rubric, assessment materials, introduction letter, NETS standards, etc. for your use.

How to Begin? If time allows, research the history of claymation. Classroom Materials Letter to Parents Planning Sheet for group Sketch Sheet Rubric Storyboard/Script Moviemaker 2 Handout Student Self-Assessment /Group Assessment Reflection Preparation Ideas

Brainstorm Students will be divided into groups to brainstorm ideas for their project. Students can choose their partners or teacher can assign partners. Once students have brainstormed project and come up with a group idea, it should be approved by the teacher. Planning Sheet would provide planning guide for group.

Storyboard/Script First, you come up with an idea for a character, props, and a background. With this information, you create a storyboard which is the basic layout of what you want to happen in your movie.

Creating Your Background The props and background part of clay animation is probably the second most important thing. It should be colorful and detailed.

Color When dealing with colors, you need to use contrast. Don’t make the character the same color as the background or the character will never be seen. Also, make the clay stand out by using bright and attractive colors instead of dull and ugly colors.

Props and Background Settings The props and background part of clay animation is probably the second most important thing. It should be colorful and detailed. The props you use should look good with the character and the background should be the setting of your character (where you want your character to be. You can also use real objects - a rock for a boulder, a branch for a tree, etc. Objects in the foreground can give your animation a nice sense of depth. You can even create an animated background - one that changes during the course of your animation. For a short cut - use a picture as a background, such as a large photograph, a small poster, or a picture from a calendar. Make sure that your background is the same scale as your characters, and that it will fill the frame for whatever camera you will use to capture the images.

Creating Your Character Start developing your character with the clay you have, by forming the clay into shapes that look like the character you created in your mind. Start with basic shapes and eventually work your way to the more difficult details, such as: eye colors, teeth and mouth shapes, hair shapes, and finger and toe shapes. Soon you character will start to form and become alive before your eyes. Keep adding and adding and sculpting and soon you can begin the process of shooting your movie.

Basic Steps Build a basic skeleton with pipe cleaners, including arms, legs, neck and body. Cover pipe cleaners and add bulk with aluminum foil. Clay will not stick to bare pipe cleaners so make sure they are covered with foil. Prepare clay by flattening out clay into your skin to cover all body parts, clothes, etc. Use the Styrofoam balls for the head. Cover the bare Styrofoam ball with the clay skin. Add features of the face with the clay.

Basic Steps (cont’d) Attach the head to the completed body. The feet of the character must be very similar to “clown feet” to support the figure in an upright position. The limbs of your character must be moveable in order to demonstrate action when filming.

Items To Use: Modeling clay Baby wipes Craft sticks Styrofoam balls Sequins Paper clips Pipe cleaners Aluminum foil Wax paper Glue sticks Yarn Baby wipes Styrofoam balls Fishing line Artificial eyes Construction paper Markers Scissors Roller

Extras A toothpick is great for making small dents or holes. You need a knife for cutting up the clay and making knotches without cutting the clay. You will also need a roller or something to flatten out clay sheets.

Importing to MovieMaker 2 Give handout to students illustrating steps for creating video in Movie Maker 2 Microsoft Movie Maker 2