Skip right to the Animations: start at 2:40.
The Storytelling through Animation unit was taught to Primary students by Art Teacher Lorraine Artale and Art & Technology Integration Specialist Phil Lohmeyer. The class created animations by using iPads, whiteboards, dry-erase markers, small pom-poms, and construction paper.
Students began by brainstorming characters and settings for their story. They invented a beginning, middle, and end for short animations following the adventures of a small pom-pom. The stop-motion cartoon was made using "Lapse It," a free app for iPhones and iPads. The students created makeshift studios using chairs and yardsticks, and took turns as a Director, Camera Person, Cartoonist, and Animator.
To download this app at home, visit the app store and search for “Lapse It.” (NOTE: Sometimes the app is listed under “iPhone only” even though it is available for both iPhones and iPads). We used the free version in class, but the pro version is available for $1.99. To practice at home, set up something to stabilize your device and choose “New Capture.” Change the “Capture Interval” (clock icon) to “Stop Motion,” and take pictures with the RED button. Slowly move your characters around and try to take at least 75 pictures… then you will have a 5 second animation.
Send your completed animations to plohmeyer@whitbyschool.org, we would love to see what you can come up with! Thanks to all of the Primary teachers and students for their hard work on the “World of Fantasy” Stop-Motion Animation unit! -Lorraine Artale and Phil Lohmeyer
