Introduction Second graders researched a chosen animal using a variety of print and electronic resources. The end product is a written report and a claymation iMovie. The Internet and various CD programs provided a lot of invaluable realistic research information. technology enriched this project by taking a research report to a whole new level. technology allowed students to find information, type their reports, and ultimately create claymation iMovies. This project addresses different learning styles because it touches on all modalities of learning, allowing each child different opportunities in which to excel. Technology provided research opportunities as well as iPhoto, iMovie and iTunes necessary to create the claymation iMovies. Technology took a research report to new levels of learning, interest, motivation and productivity. Students will share their work via e-mail and the Internet with Reinberg School, located in Chicago.

Description Prairieview School, Grayslake Synopsis Using a variety of both print and electronic resources, second graders researched an animal and its habitat. After research was gathered, students wrote research reports in Apple works. Students discovered which animals shared a habitat and formed groups based on that criteria. Groups consisted of 2-4 students. Students created a story board of what they wanted their animal to do in their iMovie. Some students chose to work individually and some chose to work with others to have more animals in the iMovie. They then worked together to create a 3 dimensional habitat for their animals. Remembering proportion, they then had to create the body frames for their animals. The frames had to be made out of flexible materials to enable the animals to move as desired in the iMovie. Once the body frames were complete, students had to act out their story boards. If they worked, then students covered the frames in clay, making the animal look as realistic as possible. They then used the digital camera to take step by step pictures of their animal. Using iPhoto, the students imported their pictures into iMovie, then used iTunes to record and add sounds. The final product was a claymation iMovie of things they learned about their animals. The projects are shared via e-mail with Reinberg School and a student created web page. Reinberg School, Chicago Synopsis The 6th grade students began their portion of the project by completing a research report on endangered species. During the planning stage, the students used Inspiration. After receiving tech tips from 2nd grade mentors the 6th graders at Reinberg School... -Completed storyboards and roughed out ideas for dioramas using Hyperstudio -Took digital photos and learned some editing/cropping skills with Microsoft Photo Editor -Created "mini-documentaries" with VideoBlender

 

Project Steps

1. Chose and researched an animal using both print and electronic resources.

2. Write an expository report about the animal.

3. Group in habitat groups.

4. Create a story board for movie.

5. Create a 3 dimensional diorama of animal's habitat as a habitat group.

6. Create body frame for clay animal, making sure it is flexible so that it can move as desired in iMovie.

7. Practice iMovie with animal frame in the habitat.

8. Cover animal body frame with clay, making it look as realistic as possible.

9. Practice iMovie.

10. Using the Sony Mavica Camera, take step by step pictures of animal, following story board.

11. Import pictures using iPhoto into iMovie.

12. Create iMovie.

13. Using iTunes, record and add sounds to iMovie.

14. Share projects, ideas, tips, and concerns with students in Chicago at Reinberg School via e-mail.

15. Create web page for project.

16. Create an iMovie to describe the project.

Tools and Resources

 Books, CDs, and Internet resources for research that are age appropriate

Digital Camera

iPhoto

iMovie

iTunes

Inspiration

Video Blender

Hyperstudio

Microsoft Photo Editor

Tech4Learning.com has great claymation resources

http://www.geocities.com/critterkids2003

Making Clay Animation,Tech4Learning, Inc

Prerequisite Skills 

Facilitation tips 

Technology Skills

Digital Picture taking

Knowledge of the following software programs:

iPhoto, iTunes, VideoBlender, Inspiration, Hyperstudio, Microsoft Photo Editor

Creation of iMovie

And So It Began<>Planning<>Process<>In The End<>Photo Gallery<>Helpful Links<>Home