Talking Picture Books

Lesson One: Students are asked to write down 3-6 animations they've seen. Review the plot and characters of the book with the students. Teaching Artist (TA) will have all steps of production process written on separate pieces of colored paper. The class will put them in order together after introduction to the stages of film making.
Lesson Two: Students asked to list three things they remember happening in the book. TA will read the book to class stopping every few pages. After each section, the class will create a list of what happened in that section to make sure it is in the proper order. Create the list on a projected computer.
Lesson Three:List all the locations you can remember where things happened in the book. TA will review the action list created last week and identify moving objects and background objects with students. All moving objects are underlined in one color and all background objects underlined in another. Create a locations list for the backgrounds that could be used. Show simple background and moving object and explain how animation works using these principles. Give each group of students an action script strip (strip of paper containing list of objects that will need to move in each section of the book. Each group is responsible for one section.
Lesson Four: TA defines stop-motion animation and brings in several paper samples to model the process for the class. TA models how to create objects with cut and pasted paper. Students create individual objects that need to move during the group's animation. Students work with cut and torn paper and glue.
Lesson Five:Students create individual objects that need to move during the group's animation. TA creates a camera station and has students practice simple stop animations after introducing students to the basic workings of the cameras. Groups are called up to stations until each student has had a turn. TA creates a background making station where students who are ahead in their artwork make backgrounds with TA's direction.
Lesson Six: Review camera work from week before. Go over trouble spots and what not to do. Lesson Seven:TA assesses group work and picks half the groups to begin shooting their animations. TA shoots with one group at a time while Assistant TA helps other groups complete artwork.Lesson 8:Show example of stop motion with strong narration. Discuss elements of narration. Individual students write narration for their groups segment. Lesson 9:TA shows the basics of iMovie and demonstrates how to sequence. Groups will take turns changing timing of animations and editing. Assistant TA takes narrators aside to record narration in a quiet area. Other narrators practice.Lesson 10: TA reviews iMovie and introduces transitions, sound effects, and titles. TA sets parameters to insure consistency across groups. Narrators continue to work, while each student types their name into the computer into a text document for the final credits. Lesson 11: Screen the rough cut of the class animation. Students review and reflect on process and product. Create a list of any changes that need to be made before final screening. Tell students how proud you are and give examples of positive aspects and strengths of the residency; ask them what they liked best.