Learning outcomes
By the end of this activity where students create a captivating stop motion animation about water they will have gained valuable skills in planning, creativity, and digital media production. Additionally, these activities will foster a deeper appreciation for the importance of water in our world. Students will be able to:
Understand the basics of stop motion animation.
Identify and select a theme related to water (e.g., the water cycle, underwater world, rain).
Experiment with different forms of water and different materials while creating animation about water.
Set up a simple stop motion studio by finding solutions for setting up a camera or smartphone for capturing the animation.
Create smooth animation sequences, capturing a series of images and making small, incremental movements of props or characters to create fluid animation.
Demonstrate creativity and originality by incorporating unique ideas and creative elements into the animation.
Show personal style and imagination in the storytelling and design.
Disuss their idea and communicate the message by explaining how their stop motion effectively conveys a message or story related to water.Explain the message or story to others, demonstrating their comprehension.
Lesson plan
Water is essential for life, and it can change into different forms and move in various ways, which makes it a fascinating and important part of our world.
Liquid water: This is what we usually think of when we hear the word "water." It's the water we drink, swim in, and see in lakes, rivers, and oceans. It can be clear, like in a glass of water, or it can have colors in it, like in a pond. Ice: When water gets very, very cold, it turns into ice. Ice is solid water. Think about the ice cubes in your freezer or the ice on a frozen pond. It's hard and cold, and you can even skate on it! Water vapor: When water gets really hot, it turns into something we can't see called water vapor which are tiny, invisible water particles floating in the air. You might see water vapor when you breathe out on a cold day and see your foggy breath.
Make a mindmap as students mention different flowing elements. Rivers are big streams of flowing water. They start in high places like mountains and flow downhill to lower places like valleys and eventually into the sea. You might have seen a river flowing in your town or in pictures. Streams are smaller versions of rivers. They flow through the land, and you can sometimes find them in forests or parks. They can be a fun place to explore! Rain is water falling from the sky. When the clouds get heavy with water, they release raindrops. Rain is essential for plants, animals, and doe us to have water to drink. Waterfalls: Sometimes, when a river or stream goes over a big drop in the land, it makes a waterfall. Waterfalls are beautiful and make a big splashing sound when the water falls down. Puddles: When it rains, the water can collect in small, shallow basins on the ground. These are called puddles. You might have jumped in puddles when you play outside after it rains. Ocean waves: The ocean is a massive body of saltwater, and it has waves that keep moving. These waves are caused by the wind blowing on the water's surface. You can watch waves at the beach!
Explain how you will create a stop motion experiment using the stop motion studio. Be creative and have fun!
You can show a video to the class. Here you find how to make a stop-motion video with phone and Ipad and chromebooks using the stop motion studio.
When explaining stop motion animation to young students it is good to explain some simplified steps to help them understand the process: 1) Gather your materials which include some objects to use as characters or props. You also need a camera or a smartphone to take pictures. 2) Set up your scene beginning with finding a place where you want to create your animation. It should be a flat surface. 3) Take your first picture as the starting point of your animation. 4) Make a small change and take another picture. Repeat this process, making small changes and taking pictures one at a time. Continue making small changes and taking pictures until your story is complete. 5) Watch and share in the classroom, on the school homepage and with the students' families, and they can enjoy your creative work!
Download Stop Motion Studio on the phone/ tablet before the class
stop motion studio (free)
Students create their own work station, finding solutions for the camera. When making stop motion it is important to keep the camera as still as possible.
Make stop motion using water and the effect of evaporation.
Make stop motion while drawing, using a water- animation of the effect of evaporation.
Experiment with salt and different water effects such as drip effect, spray effect on different types of soils.
You can make moulds with silicone in the shape of fruits and vegetable. Once it is dry fill it with water and freeze it and allow the students to experiment with the melting ice as they do stop motions. What happens when in connection to salt or water?