Stop Motion Creativity

Grade Level and Curriculum Areas

Grade: 6th Grade
Subject Area: Technology (aligned to ISTE Standards for Students - US)
Focus Standard:

• 1.6.CC.3: Creative Communicator: Students create original works or responsibly repurpose other digital resources into new creations.
• 1.6.IC.1: Innovative Designer: Students use a variety of technologies within a design process to solve problems by creating new, useful, or imaginative solutions.

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Lesson Objective

By the end of this lesson, students will create a short stop motion animation using Google Slides. They will understand how to storyboard, manipulate slide elements for animation, and sequence frames to demonstrate movement.

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Materials

• Technology: Laptops or Chromebooks with access to Google Slides
• Writing Supplies: Paper and pencils for storyboarding
• Hands-on Materials: Colored paper, craft supplies (optional for creating assets like backgrounds and props), small figures/toys for inspiration
• Teacher Prep: Google Slides template preloaded in each student’s account for quick setup

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Lesson Outline (120 Minutes)

Part 1: Introduction (15 Minutes)

1.1 Hook (5 Minutes)

• Show a short, age-appropriate 1-minute stop motion animation video (e.g., Lego animation or claymation example).
• Ask guiding questions:
  • "What do you think went into making this?"
  • "How do you think movement is created frame by frame?"

1.2 Explain the Task (10 Minutes)

• Introduce the concept of stop motion animation. Explain how Google Slides can simulate the stop motion process by creating changing frames.
• Key Vocabulary:
  • Frame
  • Sequencing
  • Storyboard
• Provide a clear, simple example: Create a slide with a simple moving object (circle moving across slides) in real-time to demonstrate.

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Part 2: Storyboarding (20 Minutes)

2.1 What Is a Storyboard?

• Tell students: Stop motion starts with a plan. A storyboard is like a comic strip that helps map out what will happen step by step.

2.2 Create a Simple Storyboard (15 Minutes)

• Collaborative brainstorm: On the board, organize students’ ideas into types of stop motion projects they could create (e.g., bouncing ball, simple character waving, sunrise/sunset).
• Have students sketch their own storyboards on paper, breaking their story into a sequence of 6-8 steps.
  • Example:
    Frame 1: Sun rising on the horizon
    Frame 2: Sun slightly higher
    ...
    Frame 6: Sun sets below horizon

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Part 3: Hands-On Slide Creation (55 Minutes)

3.1 Slide Setup (5 Minutes)

• Students will open Google Slides and configure their presentation:
  1. Delete the default text boxes on the first slide (keep it blank).
  2. Rename their presentation to their title (e.g., "The Moving Sun").

3.2 Create Frames and Animate (40 Minutes)

• Students will create each "frame" of their animation on a new slide with slight changes in the positions of their characters or props.
  • Tips for students:
    • Use simple shapes (circles, rectangles) or draw their own animations using the “Scribble” tool.
    • Adjust size and rotation to create dynamic movement.
  • Encourage students to play with layering and transparency to simulate depth or speed.
• Provide assistance as needed. Circulate and ask guiding questions like:
  • "What will happen next in your story?"
  • "How can you show this step-by-step?"
  • "Does this movement look natural?"

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3.3 Testing and Refining (10 Minutes)

• Students use "Present" mode to play back their slides quickly to simulate animation.
  • Adjustments: If movement feels "jumpy," students can add frames for smoother transitions.

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Part 4: Showcase and Reflect (30 Minutes)

4.1 Group Viewings (20 Minutes)

• Have students present their stop motion project to either the full class or in small groups. Use positive norms:
  • One compliment about creativity.
  • One suggestion for improvement (“What would you add next?”).

4.2 Reflection (10 Minutes)

• Have students record responses to the following journal prompts:
  • "What was the most challenging step in creating your animation?"
  • "How might stop motion be used in real life (e.g., movies, advertisements)?"
  • "What’s one skill you learned today that could be useful later?"

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Differentiation and Extensions

Support for All Learners:

• Struggling Students: Pair slower-paced students with technology buddies to assist with Google Slides tasks OR provide pre-made slide elements (backgrounds/props).
• Advanced Learners: Challenge students to experiment with transitions or add sound effects through built-in audio tools.

Extended Learning:

• Homework/optional extension: Create a longer animation or develop a story-based animation project using new tools (like Google Photos for stop motion photography).

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Assessment

Visual Project Rubric (Formative Assessment):

1. Creativity in designing slides and ideas (10 points).
2. Seamless animation sequencing—does the movement flow naturally? (10 points).
3. Completion of storyboarding process (5 points).

Informal Observation:

• Teacher notes student engagement, collaboration between peers, and problem-solving techniques during the animation creation process.

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Back Pocket Ideas

• If there’s extra time: Conduct a quick mini stop motion competition. Provide a simple theme (e.g., “A day in the life of a pencil”) and give students 10 minutes to create a 3-slide animation in pairs.