Animation Films Using Clay and Digital Cameras for 5th Grade
We need 3 digital cameras to master basic animation using clay figurines; my classroom will do this in the fall. In the Spring my students will do Flash animation while conducting an after school program to teach (serve) other students the basics of animation with the cameras. Students will work on story telling, creative writing, design, art, photography, editing film (including audio), leadership, and service.
We have a 5th grade classroom that defies the odds. We're in an urban school with all the concerns you would expect, but the students learn to be scholars and establish their own expectations (academic and cultural).
The school has so many urgent problems to deal with, a project like this just isn't on the agenda. But every year my students show that they love art, film, creative writing, design, and computers. This project lets them use all these things to produce their own short films which will culminate in a class "Film Festival".
My brother in law did a 30 second animated film with his sons over the summer. They had about 300 pictures and used a simple editing program to sequence them. It clicked. Just like that the project had wings, using iMovie and Pinnacle Studio (kids need to master both Mac and PC) I have laid out the plan for my students to make their own films using clay. I secured the software, tripod, upgraded a computer's memory (I'll also need to get an external hard drive) and a schedule for writing, drawing, audio, editing... I've got it all laid out. We just need the dang cameras. Truthfully, I need about 6 cameras (30 students), but I'd settle for 3 because my students work well together.
This project will get them started toward computer animation (flash) which I will teach in the second semester. And just like that the kids will have entered this world of design and computer technology. Then we can take the bus to a local studio with knowledge and understanding of the process. They will LOVE this and it will open up future possibilities for them.
I can't tell you how many kids have told me they want to create video games or make animated movies. Dozens. But the school offers them nothing to help them with those goals. This project takes them by the hand and allows them to master the fundamentals of animation. Not only will it be done yearly, but I plan to make it available to students who are not in our classroom. When this project is completed we will have a film festival during the school day and also in the evening. The daytime festival will allow students from other classes to see the works and then make their own movies during the second semester while my students are doing "Flash Animation". My students will teach, assist, and guide their peers.
Maybe I should ask for a 4th camera - this is such a need and this project WILL work, how can I short-change it? No,... I'll stick with 3. If you help us get the 3 cameras, we can press forward. Thank You.
DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.
As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Mr. W. and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.