Helping Students Become Technologically Literate

Using Clay Using Clay Animation In Your Animation In Your

ClassroomClassroom

April PetittTechnology Coordinator

Region 5 ESCapetitt@esc5.net

Website: Irving ISD

The Water Cycle Fraction Action Subjects and Verbs

Photosynthesis Forces That Shape

Measuring Up

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 groupSketch of background and charactersStoryboardScriptCreate BackgroundCreate CharactersPlan area for shooting still shotsImport shots in MovieMaker 2Add audio, transitions, effects, etc.

What student skills are needed?CommunicationWrittenLanguageOrganizationalSequential thinkingGroup collaborationProblem solving

Critical thinkingSpatial relationshipsReflectionAssessmentInterpersonalMediation

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 DifferencesClay animation appeals to multiple intelligences and a broad variety of learners.

Artistic Students

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.

Mathematical, logical, and spatial skills are used in organizing the project, sequencing the frames, and using digital photography and video editing technology.

Language skills are engaged while brainstorming and writing the script and storyboard.

Clay /Japanese Kimono Unit

With this unit I introduce them to Japanese culture. We zero in on kimono styles and

history, then discuss what ceremonial clothing do  we and a variety of cultures

wear.  We view the  following site: http://www.jinjapan.org/kidsweb/index.html and then discuss clay terms and the elements,

form  and texture.  

                      

Storyboard

FinalProduct

NETS for StudentsWhat is NETS?

The National Educational Technology Standards (NETS) Project is an ongoing initiative of the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) and a consortium of distinguished partners and co-sponsors.

The NETS Project will work to define standards for students, integrating curriculum technology, technology support, and standards for student assessment and evaluation of technology use.

ISTEISTE released new student standards in June 2007 at

NECC in Atlanta, Georgia. The next generation of National Educational Technology Standards for Students (NETS•S) were the result of input and feedback from educators across the U.S. and 22 other countries.

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 Standards3-56-89-12

Technological Literacy http://www.ncrel.org/engauge/skills/techlit.htm

Students Who Are Technologically Literate:Demonstrate a sound conceptual understanding

of the nature of technology systems and view themselves as proficient users of these systems.

Understand and model positive, ethical use of technology in both social and personal contexts.

Use a variety of technology tools in effective ways to increase creative productivity.

Use communication tools to reach out to the world beyond the classroom and communicate ideas in powerful ways.

Use technology effectively to access, evaluate, process and synthesize information from a variety of sources.

Use technology to identify and solve complex problems in real-world contexts.

Technological Literacy (cont’d)

Your Wiki ThoughtsGo to http://claymation.wikispaces.comSign up with wikispaces

Tech4LearningThere 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 ishttp://www.tech4learning.com/claykit/projects.htmlThis 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 ParentsPlanning Sheet for groupSketch SheetRubricStoryboard/ScriptMoviemaker 2 HandoutStudent Self-Assessment /Group AssessmentReflection

Preparation Ideas

BrainstormStudents 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.

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.

Storyboard/Script

Creating Your Background

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

ColorWhen 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 SettingsThe 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 clayCraft sticksSequinsPaper clipsPipe cleanersAluminum

foilWax paper Glue sticksYarn

Baby wipesStyrofoam ballsFishing lineArtificial eyesConstruction

paperMarkersScissorsRoller

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 2Give handout to students illustrating steps for

creating video in Movie Maker 2

Microsoft Movie Maker 2