Why use stop-motion animation for classroom assignments?

Stop motion animation is an animation technique to make physical objects appear to move on their own. An object is moved in small increments and photographing it at each step.  This creates the illusion of movement when the series of frames is played as a continuous sequence. 

One of my favorite lessons utilizing iPads is creating stop motion animation using the iPad and a few props to create unique mini film features.  Students can use action figures, plastic figurines, LEGO pieces, Kinex, paper cutouts, drawings, or Play-Doh to create scenes. Kids will have a blast creating movies. Your biggest problem might be dragging students out of their chairs at the end of the lesson


Examples of ways to use stop motion animations in class:

• re-create a historical event
• model a scientific process
• illustrate a scene from a book 
• an alternative to dioramas or posters

Ideas for implementing from the YouTubeverse

Apps to Create:

I have used primarily iMotion HD to create my stop motion animations but my students are using Stop Motion lately. Both apps are very easy to use and a lot of fun!

Check out some of my student videos!