What is Stop-Motion?

Stop-Motion is an animation technique where inanimate objects appear to come to life through a series of still photos. Objects in the frame are carefully moved a tiny bit between every shot, and when strung together they appear to move on their own.

Victoria of the Inquiry by Learning Blog writes of the benefits. "There was more to stop-motion for me than just giving my students creative freedom. For me, these were the main reasons why I wanted to pursue this particular project:"

• It encourages students to plan out their project into steps (just like inquiry learning) and lay the groundwork first before diving in

• Stop-motion animation supports the concept of storytelling and reiterates important story structures to students

• It’s a great example of a low-floor, high-ceiling activity; one where students of any level can access it, but it can be extended to high levels

• Students develop several soft skills: problem-solving, cooperation, initiative, and teamwork, and it encourages them to think creatively

• It teaches students the movie-making process and how stop-motion animation works by immersing them in the process rather than having students read about it

• Stop-motion animation doesn’t require a ton of money; many props and creative elements can come from everyday recycled objects, craft supplies, and even toys and materials that students already have

• It offers students autonomy and ownership over the movie-making process and over their finished work, which in turn makes them proud and feel accomplished

Source: https://www.learningbyinquiry.com/easy-and-creative-stop-motion-animation-project-for-kids/ 

Stop-Motion Animation with Google Slides by Joy Kidd

In May of 2016, I attended a session delivered by Joy Kidd, a science teacher from Prosper ISD. She used Google Slides to create stop-motion-effect presentations without the use of a camera. This is such a cool and easy creation tool. The big takeaway (besides the resource of how-to directions, a stop-motion example, and curriculum connections.) I heard her say:

Students try to one-up each other on how many slides it takes to create their presentation.  “My deck is 125 slides.” Another student responds, “Well my deck has 181." Also, Joy's colleagues do not want her to teach this technique, because the kids constantly work on this project in their other classes.

The 5 Easy Steps to Create a Stop-Motion-Effect Presentation

1. Make a slide

2. Duplicate the slide

3. Make a change

4. Duplicate new slide

5. Make a change (you know rinse, repeat, and so on.)

Joy's Original Slide Deck on Stop-Motion Animation

Check out the Stop-Motion Animations from this webinar.

I really like this blog post from Victoria at her blog Learning by Inquiry because it breaks down the process you would use in your classroom. This goes so much more in-depth than animation in Google Slides.

1. Brainstorming and storyboarding

2. Set, props, and character design

3. Scriptwriting and practice

4. Filming

5. Editing with stop-motion animation

6. The Grand Reveal

20 Wonderful Stop Motion Ideas for Beginners and Kids

Stop-Motion Examples on YouTube

(6) Best Stop Motion Apps for iOS and Android

Stop Motion Tips for the Elementary Classroom Video (Using the Stop Motion Studio App)