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Lesson 1 of 6
  • Year 3

Introduction to animation

I can explain that animation is a sequence of pictures.

Lesson 1 of 6
New
New
  • Year 3

Introduction to animation

I can explain that animation is a sequence of pictures.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Animation is a sequence of pictures.
  2. A flipbook is a small book where the pages each have a slightly different picture and can be flicked through.
  3. Effective flipbook-style animation follows specific steps.

Keywords

  • Animation - a way of making pictures or objects look as if they are moving by showing them quickly one after another

  • Flipbook - a small book where the pages each have a slightly different picture and can be flicked through to show a simple animation

  • Sequence - a set of pictures in a specific order

Common misconception

Animation is a single picture.

Animation is a way of making pictures or objects look as if they are moving by showing a sequence of them quickly one after another.


To help you plan your year 3 computing lesson on: Introduction to animation, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

You will need to understand how to make a simple flipbook animation (see lesson for example). You will also need to understand that animation is made up of a sequence of still images and can be created using many different media.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Pupils will need sticky notes pads, pencils or pens.

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

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5 Questions

Q1.
Which of these is an example of animation?

Correct answer: a cartoon character moving across the screen
a photograph of a tree
a painting in a museum
a news report on TV

Q2.
Films always have real-life actors and scenery that are recorded by cameras.

True
Correct answer: False

Q3.
Which tool could you use to draw a picture on a computer?

Correct answer: paint software
hammer
ruler
calculator

Q4.
Put these steps in order for drawing a picture on paper:

1 - think about what to draw
2 - pick up the correct coloured pencil
3 - draw the picture

Q5.
Which device can help you create a digital drawing?

spoon
book
plant
Correct answer: tablet

Assessment exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
What is the main purpose of a flipbook?

to write a story
Correct answer: to create an animation
to solve maths problems
to store stickers

Q2.
Which of these best describes a flipbook?

a storybook with only words
a colouring book
Correct answer: a book with slightly different pictures on each page
a notebook for homework

Q3.
What is the word for pictures shown in a specific order to make movement?

Correct Answer: sequence

Q4.
Put these steps in order to create a flipbook animation:

1 - decide what you want to animate
2 - draw the first picture
3 - draw each next picture with a small change
4 - flick through the pages quickly

Q5.
What do you need to do to see the animation in a flipbook?

read each page slowly
close the book tightly
Correct answer: flick through the pages quickly
tear out the pages

Q6.
What is animation?

a single picture
Correct answer: a sequence of pictures shown quickly
a book with words
a photograph of a person