Lesson Plan
Animation Principles Outline
Students will apply core animation principles—timing, squash and stretch, and anticipation—through guided examples and hands-on exercises, demonstrating foundational skills in a 30-minute individual session.
Understanding these principles helps students craft more engaging, dynamic animations and builds essential skills for future media & design projects.
Audience
10th Grade Students
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Guided examples followed by targeted practice
Prep
Review and Setup
5 minutes
- Review The 12 Principles of Animation to familiarize yourself with example visuals and talking points.
- Skim the Instructor’s Step-by-Step Guide to plan pacing.
- Prepare blank paper or digital drawing tool for the Pose-Flip Exercise Worksheet.
- Have the Reflection on Motion Cool-Down prompt ready for distribution.
Step 1
Introduction to Principles
5 minutes
- Briefly define timing, squash and stretch, and anticipation.
- Use slides 1–5 from The 12 Principles of Animation to show visual examples.
- Ask the student to note one real-world example of each principle.
Step 2
Guided Demonstration
10 minutes
- Demonstrate a simple bouncing ball animation emphasizing squash and stretch and timing (slides 6–9).
- Show how anticipation (slide 10) adds clarity to motion.
- Pause to ask the student to describe what changes when timing is faster or slower.
Step 3
Pose-Flip Practice
10 minutes
- Distribute the Pose-Flip Exercise Worksheet.
- Instruct the student to sketch two poses for a simple action (e.g., jump) and flip between them to observe motion.
- Guide them to apply squash and stretch in their sketches and note timing on each frame.
Step 4
Reflection and Cool-Down
5 minutes
- Provide the Reflection on Motion Cool-Down prompt.
- Ask the student to write or discuss:
- Which principle was most challenging to apply?
- How might they use anticipation in a longer animation?
- Summarize key takeaways and next steps for further practice.
Slide Deck
The 12 Principles of Animation
Today’s Focus:
• Timing
• Squash & Stretch
• Anticipation
Welcome the student and introduce the session. Explain that although these are called the “12 Principles,” today we’ll focus on timing, squash & stretch, and anticipation. Point out how mastering these three builds a strong foundation.
What Are the 12 Principles?
- Squash & Stretch
- Anticipation
- Staging
- Straight Ahead & Pose to Pose
- Follow Through & Overlapping Action
- Slow In & Slow Out
- Arc
- Secondary Action
- Timing
- Exaggeration
- Solid Drawing
- Appeal
Briefly list all 12 principles so the student sees the big picture. Highlight our three in red or bold on the slide.
Principle: Timing
• “The number of frames for a given action”
• Controls speed, weight, and mood
• More frames = slower motion; fewer = faster
Define timing: the spacing of frames to convey speed and weight. Emphasize that good timing makes motion feel natural.
Timing Examples
• Fast vs. slow blinking eyelid
• Horse gallop: quick vs. languid pacing
• How does timing affect emotion?
Show two short animations or image sequences: a fast blink and a slow blink. Ask the student which feels heavy vs. light.
Principle: Squash & Stretch
• Deforming shape to show weight and flexibility
• Squash = flattening; Stretch = elongating
• Maintains volume for realism
Explain squash & stretch as the essence of life in animation. Note that volumes should remain consistent.
Squash & Stretch Examples
• Bouncing ball:
- Contact: squash
- Rising/falling: stretch
• Character faces, limbs can squash/stretch too
Display a bouncing ball in its neutral, squashed, and stretched states. Point out the contact and apex frames.
Principle: Anticipation
• Small movement before main action
• Signals what’s coming next
• Example: wind-up before a pitch or crouch before a jump
Introduce anticipation as a preparatory action. Stress that it guides viewer expectations and adds clarity.
Anticipation Examples
• Throwing a punch:
- With wind-up (clear)
- Without wind-up (confusing)
• Jump start: crouch vs. no crouch
Use side-by-side frame sequences: a character jumping with and without anticipation. Ask the student which reads better.
Bouncing Ball Breakdown
Key Frames:
- Contact (squash)
- Ascent (stretch)
- Apex (neutral)
- Descent (stretch)
- Contact (squash)
Frame spacing: 1–2 quick, 2–3 slow, etc.
Walk through a 5-frame bouncing ball that uses timing and squash & stretch together. Show how frame spacing changes impact speed.
Putting It All Together
Practice Tips:
• Flip two poses rapidly to test timing
• Apply squash & stretch to emphasize weight
• Add a small anticipation before each major action
Next: Complete the Pose-Flip Exercise Worksheet
Summarize how the three principles work together. Prompt the student to start the Pose-Flip Exercise next.
Script
Instructor’s Step-by-Step Guide
Introduction to Principles (5 minutes)
Teacher (T): “Hi there! Today we’re going to dive into three of the most powerful animation principles—timing, squash & stretch, and anticipation. Mastering these will make your animations feel alive and believable.”
T (show The 12 Principles of Animation – Slide 1): “Here’s our focus for today. Let’s flip to the next slide to see all 12 principles at a glance.”
T (show Slide 2): “See how timing, squash & stretch, and anticipation fit into the bigger picture? Let’s find a real-world example for each.”
T (prompt): “First, squash & stretch—can you think of something you’ve seen flatten or elongate in real life? Maybe a water balloon? Share your example.”
T (listen, then follow up): “Great! That flattening really shows weight. Next, timing—where have you noticed a motion go super fast or creep along slowly? What feeling did that give you?”
T (after response): “Perfect. Finally, anticipation—think of a pitcher winding up before a throw. Why does that small movement help you understand what’s coming?”
Guided Demonstration (10 minutes)
T: “Let’s see these in action with a simple bouncing ball. We’ll focus on squash & stretch and timing, then add anticipation.”
T (show Slide 5: Squash & Stretch Examples): “Notice at the contact point the ball flattens—squash—and as it soars, it elongates—stretch. Both keep the same volume but convey flexibility and weight.”
T (show Slide 9: Bouncing Ball Breakdown): “Here’s a five-frame breakdown. Watch the spacing: frames 1–2 are quick for the pop off the ground, frames 2–3 slow at the apex. What mood or energy does this timing give the ball?”
T (after student answers): “Exactly—that slower midair pause feels more pronounced, like it’s floating. Now, let’s add anticipation.”
T (show Slide 6: Principle: Anticipation & Slide 7: Anticipation Examples): “See how a small crouch before the jump cues our eye? Which sequence reads clearer, the one with anticipation or without? Why?”
Pose-Flip Practice (10 minutes)
T: “Time to try it yourself. Here’s the Pose-Flip Exercise Worksheet.”
T (hand over worksheet): “In the left box (Pose A), sketch the crouch before a jump—exaggerate a squash in the legs or body. In the right box (Pose B), draw the stretch at the height of the jump.”
T: “When you’re done, flip quickly between the two sketches to test your timing. Think about how many frames you’d insert between them if this were a full animation.”
T (circulate, observe, and prompt): “Nice crouch! Want to push the squash further? How about stretching the body even more in Pose B to emphasize height?”
Reflection and Cool-Down (5 minutes)
T: “Great work—let’s reflect. Here’s the Reflection on Motion Cool-Down prompt.”
T (provide prompt): “Take a minute to write or talk about these questions:
- Which principle—timing, squash & stretch, or anticipation—felt most challenging?
- How might you use anticipation to improve a longer animation sequence?”
T (after sharing): “Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Remember, tweaking frame spacing and exaggerating your squash & stretch takes practice. Next time, try applying these principles to a walk cycle or a character action. You’re off to a fantastic start!”
End of Session
Worksheet
Pose-Flip Exercise
Instructions
Sketch two poses for a simple jump and flip between them to observe motion. Apply timing and squash & stretch principles in your drawings and notes.
- Pose A: Crouch/Anticipation
Sketch Pose A (crouch before the jump):
Notes on timing and squash:
- Pose B: Apex/Stretch
Sketch Pose B (at the height of the jump):
Notes on timing and stretch:
- Flip & Observe
a. How many frames would you insert between Pose A and Pose B?
b. Which part of the motion benefited most from squash & stretch?
- Reflection
a. Did anticipation help clarify the action? Why or why not?
b. How might you adjust timing for a slower or faster jump?
Cool Down
Reflection on Motion Cool-Down
Take a moment to reflect on today’s session. Respond to the following prompts:
- Which animation principle—timing, squash & stretch, or anticipation—felt most challenging to apply? Why?
- How might you use anticipation to enhance a longer animation sequence?