Creating animations using frames
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can relate animated movement to a sequence of pictures.
Key learning points
- How an animation looks can be predicted based on its sequence of images.
- Stop-frame animation can be created by taking photographs of drawings.
- Small changes are needed between each frame to create smooth animated movement.
Keywords
Frame - a single picture that is used to make an animation
Stop-frame animation - an animation made by taking one picture at a time
Onion skin - an animation tool that lets you see a shadow of the last frame
Common misconception
When you're making an animation, you need to make big changes to the drawing in each picture to make it move a lot.
To get smooth movement, you need to only make small changes to your drawing in each frame.
Teacher tip
There are a lot of small steps involved in correctly setting up a device, background and characters for an animation and it is easy to make mistakes. Model this and show that it is easy to fix mistakes, as well as taking steps to prevent them (such as a method to secure the device in place).
Equipment
Pupils will need access to a photo-capable device with stop-motion software, a mini whiteboard and pens. Examples in this lesson use iMotion https://oak.link/iMotion
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which of these is likely to show movement?
Q2.What do you usually find in a flipbook?
Q3.Match the item to its use:
drawing on paper
drawing on a computer
flicking through to see pictures move
watching cartoons
Q4.Put these in order for making a flipbook:
Q5.What do you call the order that pictures are shown in to tell a story?
Q6.What is the main purpose of having different pictures on each page of a flipbook?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What do you call a single picture in an animation?
Q2.What is the name for an animation made by taking one picture at a time?
Q3.Which tool can show you where your last drawing was when you are making an animation?
Q4.How can you predict what an animation will look like?
Q5.Put these steps in order for making a stop-frame animation:
Q6.What is the best way to make movement look smooth in a stop-frame animation?
To help you plan your 3 computing lesson on: Creating animations using frames, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 3 computing lesson on: Creating animations using frames, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 2 computing lessons from the Stop-frame animation unit, dive into the full primary computing curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.