The children like this one, but it can be tricky. You really must use a tripod, and I also draw a large box on the board, so that the children know where their screen is. The need to draw a little of their picture, take a photo, draw, photo and so on. The children get so excited about this one, that we often have a child in the photo, so I always remind them to wait until all is clear.
We also like to draw the picture and then erase a little at a time, especially with our finger. If you put the slides into MovieMaker backwards, it looks like finger is doing the drawing.
Once you have enough slides, open up Windows MovieMaker, insert all photos, set the time to 0.25 and you have your movie.
Wednesday 18 April 2012
Stop-Motion Using PowerPoint Animation
This is a fun way to show a story or even a concept. The children make a PP slide. They must make sure that their background and any extra objects are in the first slide. Add your object(s) that will move.
Then duplicate the slide, click on each object and use the arrow keys to move each object once.
Then duplicate the slide, click on each object and use the arrow keys to move each object once.
Keep duplicating each slide, moving your objects only a little. You will end up with many slides (at least 100).
Save your file. Then save it again, but this time save it as a .jpeg (JPEG) file. The computer will ask if you wish to save only one slide or all, save all.
Now you have your slides as pictures. Open up Windows MovieMaker, add pictures, change the speed to 0.25 and you have your movie.
Saturday 14 April 2012
Samples for Sharing
When we start a new project, I always share with the children what a possible finished project could look like. When possible, I also build at least part of a project with the children. I have included my samples of a graphic novel, with sound and animation, a stop-motion photo movie and an unfinished stop-motion cartoon.
Unfortunately, I can not share any of the student's work here.
Graphic Novel using a nursery rhyme:
Stop-Motion using Photos:
Stop-Motion Cartoon:
Unfortunately, I can not share any of the student's work here.
Graphic Novel using a nursery rhyme:
Stop-Motion using Photos:
Stop-Motion Cartoon:
Wednesday 11 April 2012
Stop Motion, Using People
This one is fun to do, but the most difficult. That is because people move! We practise walking like robots, and discuss using props (like chairs) to help us stay still. Having parents take the photos for this one helps, and you definitely want to use a tripod.
After brainstorming (or writing) what sort of story they could tell using people, the children get in their groups and start filming. They need to get set up, take a shot, move a tiny bit, shoot, move, and keep going. Again, at least 200 photos.
In the past, the children have made stop-motion animation videos of 'skating' down the hallway, magic (it is really easy to make things disappear), hopping up stairs, crazy classrooms, and vanishing students.
After brainstorming (or writing) what sort of story they could tell using people, the children get in their groups and start filming. They need to get set up, take a shot, move a tiny bit, shoot, move, and keep going. Again, at least 200 photos.
In the past, the children have made stop-motion animation videos of 'skating' down the hallway, magic (it is really easy to make things disappear), hopping up stairs, crazy classrooms, and vanishing students.
Monday 9 April 2012
Stop Motion, Using Objects
Using objects, I have the children take many (I tell them 200+) photos of objects. They are to move the objects a little bit each time. Using a tripod for your camera makes this work.
After taking all the shots, load them on a computer. Then transfer the files to Windows MovieMaker. Change the timing to 0.25. Longer works, but results in a choppy product.
Add titles and credits, and you have your movie. It really is that simple.
After taking all the shots, load them on a computer. Then transfer the files to Windows MovieMaker. Change the timing to 0.25. Longer works, but results in a choppy product.
Add titles and credits, and you have your movie. It really is that simple.
Stop Motion Animation
The children will recognize stop-motion movies from various cartoons and videos. I like to show them parts of the Claymation Christmas videos as inspiration. The musician Jeremy Fisher has created many of his music videos using stop-motion, including the one to Jolene.
One of the nicest things about creating these movies, is that they can be then shared via You Tube, copied on a flash drive to go home and they can also be burned onto a DVD so that people without a computer can still watch them.
After watching some videos from You Tube or past projects for inspiration, we get to work. For the first three projects below, we need to take many photos. The PP project is a little different, but still requires many pictures.
Once you have everything ready, you open up Windows Movie Maker and import your photos. You will need to set the timing to 0.25, add titles and credits and then save. As you are working on the movie, you can just save as you would save all documents (save project button). However, once you are finished and wish to save your final project you need to save a little differently.
You will need to save movie, and then select how to save it. I choose for computer as that lets me put the movies on flash drives, DVDs and anywhere else.
I have done four types of stop-motion animation with the children.
1. Using objects. This is easyish to do. I have the children use objects found in the class or from home. The possibilities are endless - one group played a soccer game using shoes and balls.
2. Using people. More difficult to do. I would recommend having a parent volunteer take the photos.
3. Using the white board. The children draw a little at a time. They really enjoy erasing a little at a time - makes for magic.
4. Using PowerPoint. Again, easyish to do. Once you teach the technique, it just takes time to produce.
One of the nicest things about creating these movies, is that they can be then shared via You Tube, copied on a flash drive to go home and they can also be burned onto a DVD so that people without a computer can still watch them.
After watching some videos from You Tube or past projects for inspiration, we get to work. For the first three projects below, we need to take many photos. The PP project is a little different, but still requires many pictures.
You will need to save movie, and then select how to save it. I choose for computer as that lets me put the movies on flash drives, DVDs and anywhere else.
I have done four types of stop-motion animation with the children.
1. Using objects. This is easyish to do. I have the children use objects found in the class or from home. The possibilities are endless - one group played a soccer game using shoes and balls.
2. Using people. More difficult to do. I would recommend having a parent volunteer take the photos.
3. Using the white board. The children draw a little at a time. They really enjoy erasing a little at a time - makes for magic.
4. Using PowerPoint. Again, easyish to do. Once you teach the technique, it just takes time to produce.
Graphic Novel, Adding Movement
One of the nicest things about creating Graphic Novels on the computer is what you can do with those early finishers. Sure they can help others, or create another novel, but they can also add animation to their existing novel. This is always a huge hit with the class!
I always have the children save their novel under a second name, such as ____ with movement. That way we can still print their original.
To add movement, the children need to select their creature (or what they are moving) and click on animations. I find that 'custom path' works the best. They then plan out where the object will move, draw this and double-click to finish. When viewing the PP as a slide show, their creature will now move, once you click on it.
The children really get into this part of the project. They enjoy having their characters come together, having them leave and making things move about. Once they know the basics, they play around and you will be amazed at what they can do.
I have shown the children how to do animations as we work through the novels, and they love this. I do find that some of the children get too caught up with moving things about, and don't remember to work on the rest of their novels.
I always have the children save their novel under a second name, such as ____ with movement. That way we can still print their original.
To add movement, the children need to select their creature (or what they are moving) and click on animations. I find that 'custom path' works the best. They then plan out where the object will move, draw this and double-click to finish. When viewing the PP as a slide show, their creature will now move, once you click on it.
I have shown the children how to do animations as we work through the novels, and they love this. I do find that some of the children get too caught up with moving things about, and don't remember to work on the rest of their novels.
Graphic Novel, Page Two and Beyond
The rest of the pages are similar to the first one. Each page must have a background, narration, characters and speech bubbles. I teach the children to save often.
Once you have shown the children the basics, they just need time to work. Some get so excited about this project that they bring home their PP work each night on a flash drive. You may find that you have children creating their own Graphic Novels at home.
Publishing
Depending on the class, I have several ways to share their work.
1. Have the parents view their child's Graphic Novel during conferences.
2. Have the children open their stories and then walk around the lab reading each other's work.
3. Have a 'movie' afternoon where you watch each other's novels.
4. At the end of the year, send home a copy of the PowerPoint on a flash drive.
5. Print each PowerPoint on a colour or black and white printer. This can be expensive.
6. Save the novel as a .jpeg file and print as photos. Glue these photos on paper and laminate. These books will be a favourite read in your classroom. Saving as a JPEG will change your PP to photos forever - be sure to change the name of your file so that you can still view the PP.
Assessment
I mark these as a piece of writing. The children know this from the start and use a marking guide to help them plan and write. My school uses the '6 Traits' method for writing instruction. I usually assess these for ideas, organization, voice and word choice.
I also look at presentation, the overall look to their novels. Depending on the ages of the children, I expect the font and pictures to be well placed on each page, and the overall novel to look pleasing to the eye.
I include a comment, usually in Language Arts, about how the child has done with their Graphic Novel creation - that is using the computer as a tool to make a story.
Once you have shown the children the basics, they just need time to work. Some get so excited about this project that they bring home their PP work each night on a flash drive. You may find that you have children creating their own Graphic Novels at home.
Publishing
Depending on the class, I have several ways to share their work.
1. Have the parents view their child's Graphic Novel during conferences.
2. Have the children open their stories and then walk around the lab reading each other's work.
3. Have a 'movie' afternoon where you watch each other's novels.
4. At the end of the year, send home a copy of the PowerPoint on a flash drive.
5. Print each PowerPoint on a colour or black and white printer. This can be expensive.
6. Save the novel as a .jpeg file and print as photos. Glue these photos on paper and laminate. These books will be a favourite read in your classroom. Saving as a JPEG will change your PP to photos forever - be sure to change the name of your file so that you can still view the PP.
Assessment
I mark these as a piece of writing. The children know this from the start and use a marking guide to help them plan and write. My school uses the '6 Traits' method for writing instruction. I usually assess these for ideas, organization, voice and word choice.
I also look at presentation, the overall look to their novels. Depending on the ages of the children, I expect the font and pictures to be well placed on each page, and the overall novel to look pleasing to the eye.
I include a comment, usually in Language Arts, about how the child has done with their Graphic Novel creation - that is using the computer as a tool to make a story.
Graphic Novel, Page One
Using their plan or written story, the children will need to decide how much information to put on each page. We spend some time discussing this, always coming up with the introduction and conclusion being shorter than the middle. I teach that the middle should have at least two attempts to solve the problem and then a solution. This is just a guideline. Certainly some of the children will need to write more, and some put too much information on each page. We also look at cartoons and graphic novels for examples of what to do and what not to do. I do expect that there will be narration on the majority of the pages.
To make a first page you will need to open up PowerPoint. If you made your own background using Paint, you will need to add this picture first, so that you can see where to put your words and characters. Right-click on the PP page, and go to format background. Choose either PP choices or add a picture. If your children have taken their own photos, this is how they add those as well.
Click here to see a short video for how to add a background.
After you have a background, you will need text. To add this, you click on insert, then text box. You can change your text size, font and move the text box around at any time.
And finally, you will want to add your character(s) and speech bubbles. You add use clip art or free images from the Internet. For the children, clip art works well as there are no copyright worries. Insert clip art, search for your character and click on the image that you like. For a speech bubble, insert shape, and click on the call out that you want. The speech bubbles are default set to blue, click on the speech bubble and then click on drawing tools/format to change this.
To make a first page you will need to open up PowerPoint. If you made your own background using Paint, you will need to add this picture first, so that you can see where to put your words and characters. Right-click on the PP page, and go to format background. Choose either PP choices or add a picture. If your children have taken their own photos, this is how they add those as well.
Click here to see a short video for how to add a background.
After you have a background, you will need text. To add this, you click on insert, then text box. You can change your text size, font and move the text box around at any time.
And finally, you will want to add your character(s) and speech bubbles. You add use clip art or free images from the Internet. For the children, clip art works well as there are no copyright worries. Insert clip art, search for your character and click on the image that you like. For a speech bubble, insert shape, and click on the call out that you want. The speech bubbles are default set to blue, click on the speech bubble and then click on drawing tools/format to change this.
Graphic Novel Ideas
Depending on the age of the children and the task that you are asking them to do, I would suggest they plan or write their graphic novel before getting to the computer. If this is a first time for them to create with PowerPoint, they might get too caught up 'playing' and their writing might not be as amazing as you'd like.
Ideas for Graphic Novels:
1. In the past, I have had classes re-write favourite fairy tales or nursery rhymes, adding their own twist to the stories.
2. I have also had the children plan a story and then take actual photographs to use when building their Graphic Novels.
3. My grade 2 class used a simple story pattern to create a spooky story for Hallowe'en. This was a' follow me' story, where the story built as the main character was getting followed by scary creature (say a witch), then another creature follows the first (a ghost follows the witch), then another creature and so on.
4. Sometimes we just write stories, using the 6 traits, and then put our good copies on the computer. This really helps those kids who don't have a lot of action in their stories (they just use a lot of speech) as I expect narration on most pages of each Graphic Novel.
5. Older grades write about a Social Studies event, using the Graphic Novel format. This way they can show their knowledge of settlers, fur trade, the daily lives of the First Nations or other topics, in an interesting and highly motivating way.
6. I've had children show about weather for grade 5 science using this format. They research about some sort of weather phenomenon, and share their knowledge using stories.
7. One of our favourites comes from the book Shark vs. Train by Chris Barton. In this story, the shark and train face off with various challenges. The shark wins some (like swimming) while the train wins some (carrying loads). My class really enjoyed making their own 'shark vs. train' stories, where they choose the two creatures. Their creativity came out with stories such as 'laces vs. Velcro' and 'fire vs. water'.
Ideas for Graphic Novels:
1. In the past, I have had classes re-write favourite fairy tales or nursery rhymes, adding their own twist to the stories.
2. I have also had the children plan a story and then take actual photographs to use when building their Graphic Novels.
3. My grade 2 class used a simple story pattern to create a spooky story for Hallowe'en. This was a' follow me' story, where the story built as the main character was getting followed by scary creature (say a witch), then another creature follows the first (a ghost follows the witch), then another creature and so on.
4. Sometimes we just write stories, using the 6 traits, and then put our good copies on the computer. This really helps those kids who don't have a lot of action in their stories (they just use a lot of speech) as I expect narration on most pages of each Graphic Novel.
5. Older grades write about a Social Studies event, using the Graphic Novel format. This way they can show their knowledge of settlers, fur trade, the daily lives of the First Nations or other topics, in an interesting and highly motivating way.
6. I've had children show about weather for grade 5 science using this format. They research about some sort of weather phenomenon, and share their knowledge using stories.
7. One of our favourites comes from the book Shark vs. Train by Chris Barton. In this story, the shark and train face off with various challenges. The shark wins some (like swimming) while the train wins some (carrying loads). My class really enjoyed making their own 'shark vs. train' stories, where they choose the two creatures. Their creativity came out with stories such as 'laces vs. Velcro' and 'fire vs. water'.
Making a Background Using Paint
Your graphic novel will be created using PowerPoint. While you can use the PP backgrounds, either full colour or pre-set colours, I have found that the children enjoy making their own backgrounds. Using Paint, which is a free program, you can easily make backgrounds, save and use them in your graphic novel.
Paint is found by clicking on the START button, then accessories - Paint. You can easily make a bottom/top background (green grass, blue sky) by drawing a line across the screen and using the paint can to fill each area. Once the children master this, they quickly get more creative with their backgrounds. One note - be sure to draw the initial line all the way across the screen. Any holes, and the fill paint can will fill the entire screen.
Click on the image below to see a short video of how to make a basic background using Paint.
Paint is found by clicking on the START button, then accessories - Paint. You can easily make a bottom/top background (green grass, blue sky) by drawing a line across the screen and using the paint can to fill each area. Once the children master this, they quickly get more creative with their backgrounds. One note - be sure to draw the initial line all the way across the screen. Any holes, and the fill paint can will fill the entire screen.
Click on the image below to see a short video of how to make a basic background using Paint.
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