This lesson is for 7th grade art where the students learn about clay animation, and create their own short animations using new knowledge. I admire anyone who uses clay animation in their work because it can be an incredibly tedious process- especially with kids. However if it is done right, the results are rewarding. The main reason I chose this lesson was because students are creating movies with multiple technological devices as well as fine art materials.
This lesson was created by Connie Ferguson from Arizona. Her lesson plan was very thorough; she had the lesson separated into stages. Starting with having students watch clay animated movie clips, such as Chicken Run and Wallace and Gromit, to forming groups, the movie making process and so on. Connie also had a list of materials and equipment used for this lesson. Many of those materials were electronic devices to make their movies. Connie also included a list of standards that her lesson covers, which is important to include. (Of course, they are Arizona’s standards, not New Jersey’s.)
These technological devices (cameras, tripods, PCs, Macs, and software etc.) were absolutely essential to the lesson. Without them, the students could not do the project. After being taught how to use the equipment, the students were able to use them and make something. Interactive activities like this are good for students; they learn by doing. Honestly, I can not think of any major improvements to this lesson. Connie did an excellent job at clarifying what the students were to do, and what was expected out of them. She even included a rubric for the students to see their expectations. When it comes to lesson plans, it is important to be specific, as well as clear.
Google Sheet:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AialxCNkXgNWdEI5WS05Y1FEa21Ca3Q5ZmNPTTlzREE&rm=full#gid=0
Lesson Plan Website:
http://www.incredibleart.org/lessons/middle/Clay-Connie.htm
Stop motion is so amazing. One of my last blogs is all about stop motion. Which is sort of like claymation but not using clay. Im sure you know what I am talking about. Having students do a stop motion is very tedious. Getting a child to participate in making one would be good for their sense of patience. I do have a problem with this as a lesson plan because it does take a long time and if anything is moved at all the movie (end result) will be not that great. Unfortunately in schools you can't ever guarantee that nothing will be touched. I think maybe having the class make the figures one day and do the filming/moving the objects in another class. If you were not able to change the time period the teacher (you) would have to somehow make sure nothing gets moved.
ReplyDeleteTo take on clay animation in an art classroom sure is a challenge, but amazing. It is quite tedious and would take a lot of patient group work. I agree that this is a well planned out lesson., but it would take a long time to complete. Not only in the filming, but in the research and of learning the process of how it is done. This is definitely a 12th grade lesson, maybe just used in an elective art class.
ReplyDelete