Living History Through Clay Animation

ByShelly 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

BackgroundsBackground 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 maché, 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 steadyPosition camera about 2 feet awayUse good lightingTake multiple photos of each shotMove figures about ¼” at a time Make basic movementsUse 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…………..