Animation
Suggested Resources
How Do Cartoons Come Alive on Screen?
Tier 1
6th Grade Class
50 mins
This resource introduces students to the magical world of animation, exploring the basic principles that bring drawings and objects to life. It's crucial for sparking creativity and understanding the foundational concepts behind visual storytelling.
Flipbook Fun
Tier 2
4th Grade Group
45 mins
Students will get hands-on experience with the simplest form of animation by creating their own flipbooks. This resource is vital for building a tangible understanding of sequential imagery and the illusion of movement in a small group setting.
The Illusion of Motion
Tier 1
7th Grade Class
60 mins
Dive into the scientific and historical roots of animation, exploring concepts like persistence of vision and early optical toys. This resource helps students appreciate the evolution of animation and the science behind how our eyes perceive movement.
What's Your Character's Story?
Tier 3
9th Grade Student
90 mins
This resource guides individual students through the process of designing a unique character, from personality traits to visual appearance. It fosters imaginative thinking and helps students understand character development as a core element of compelling animation.
Stop Motion Magic
Tier 1
5th Grade Class
75 mins
Students will learn the art of stop-motion animation using everyday objects, bringing inanimate items to life frame by frame. This hands-on project teaches patience, meticulous planning, and introduces practical animation techniques.
The Animator's Toolkit
Tier 2
8th Grade Group
55 mins
This resource explores various animation software and tools, from traditional drawing to digital platforms, giving students an overview of professional animation techniques. It's essential for familiarizing small groups with the technology used in modern animation studios.
Bringing Emotions to Life
Tier 1
7th Grade Class
50 mins
Students will learn how animators convey emotions and personality through character expressions and body language. This resource is key for developing empathy and understanding the subtle art of non-verbal communication in visual storytelling.
Soundscapes
Tier 3
10th Grade Student
80 mins
This individual resource focuses on the critical role of sound design in animation, from voice acting to foley effects and music. It helps students understand how audio enhances visual storytelling and creates immersive animated worlds.
The Storyboard Blueprint
Tier 1
8th Grade Class
65 mins
Students will learn the essential skill of storyboarding, planning out scenes and camera angles before animation begins. This resource is fundamental for teaching visual planning, narrative structure, and efficient project execution.
Pixel Pioneers
Tier 2
6th Grade Group
50 mins
Explore the history and techniques of pixel art animation, a foundational style in video games and early digital media. This resource is perfect for small groups to experiment with digital art, understanding constraints and creative solutions.
Are You Ready for Primetime?
Tier 1
9th Grade Class
60 mins
Students will learn about different animation genres and their target audiences, understanding how style and content are tailored for various platforms. This resource helps students think critically about media consumption and the business side of animation.
Animating a Short Story
Tier 3
11th Grade Student
120 mins
This project guides an individual student through the entire animation pipeline, from concept to a finished short animated piece. It provides a comprehensive, deep dive into practical animation production and project management skills.