Media and animation.

Ceri (aka the Morrigan) writes:

Children making films can be used in almost every curriculum area, and certainly links to the cross curricular intent of both the National and Tasmanian Curricula, especially in the areas of ICT, and communication and thinking.  When developing integrated units we should be thinking of including arts in every area we teach.  Make models in SOSE, plays in history, films in science, songs in maths and paintings in English.  To show some responses by children to making animations, here are two short(ish) films.

The first is 8 minutes long and is a stop motion animation made by grade 7 children in the USA.

The second is more disturbing and somewhat political.  It was made as part of a UNICEF project assisting Palestinian children in dealing with trauma.  It is shorter (only about 3 minutes) and considerably more powerful.

In terms of some media resources for helping children make their own animations or short films, some on-line programs include Cartoonster, which shows children how to make short cartoons; Fluxtime Studios which offer tools, assistance and a gallery for animated work.  There is also facility to create interactive animations online.

There is a lovely article, complete with links to resources, over at The School Run, which you may also find helpful.  Animation is a fun way to integrate work across curricula, engage children and create something new with your class!