Creative Learning in Action

Lesson Plan Overview

Year Levels: Years 3-4
Subject: Technologies
Focus: Digital Technologies, Stop Motion Animation using iMotion App
Duration: 45 minutes
Australian Curriculum Component: Digital Technologies (ACTDIP013)
Students will learn to create simple algorithms and use digital systems (iMotion app) to create stop-motion animations.

Lesson Objectives

• Engage students in designing and creating a short stop-motion animation using the iMotion app.
• Develop skills in sequencing, storyboarding, and basic digital photography.
• Encourage creativity and teamwork by having small groups work together to create animations.

Resources Needed

• iPads with the iMotion app installed
• Simple materials for animation creation (e.g., LEGO blocks, clay, paper cutouts)
• Whiteboard and markers for brainstorming
• Stop-motion example videos for inspiration

Lesson Structure

Introduction (5 minutes)

• Greeting and Objectives: Welcome students and introduce the lesson objectives. Explain that they will be using iPads to create their own stop-motion animations.
• Motivation: Show a short example of a stop-motion animation. Discuss with students what they observed and liked about it.

Activity 1: Storyboarding (10 minutes)

• Brainstorming: Divide students into small groups (about 5-6 students per group, ensuring groups are manageable with 55 students in total).
• Storyboarding Task: Each group sketches a simple storyboard of their animation idea using sequences of events. Encourage them to keep stories simple but engaging, such as a day in the life of a LEGO figure.

Activity 2: Creating the Animation (25 minutes)

• Set Up Scenes: Distribute materials and guide each group to set up their scenes for animation. Offer assistance and suggestions to spark creative solutions and problem solving.
• Using iMotion App:
  • Instruction: Demonstrate how to use the iMotion app for capturing stop-motion. Highlight functionality like adjusting frame speed and adding sound if time permits.
  • Hands-On Creation: Students start capturing their stop-motion frame by frame, referring to their storyboards. Encourage students to take turns as director, photographer, and set designer to ensure teamwork.

Conclusion (5 minutes)

• Sharing and Reflection: Allow a few groups to share their animations with the class.
• Discussion: Ask students what challenges they faced and how they overcame them. Discuss the importance of sequence and planning in storytelling.
• Feedback: Provide positive feedback and encourage students to think about how they could develop their animations further in the coming weeks.

Assessment

• Informal Observation: Monitor group participation and engagement throughout the lesson.
• Storyboard Assessment: Collect and review storyboards to assess planning and sequencing understanding.
• Group Work Dynamics: Observe how well students collaborate, share ideas, and troubleshoot during their animation process.

Further Learning

• Explore how different apps or digital tools can enhance their animations.
• Challenge students to incorporate more complex narratives or characters in future iterations.

This lesson plan not only introduces stop-motion animation but also fosters critical and creative thinking, teamwork, and problem-solving skills, aligning with Australian educational standards.