The World of Stop Motion Video

Stop motion is a huge field, that has been so fun to explore over the past couple of weeks. Last week we had the opportunity to explore stop motion video in out class time. Check out the video my group created below!

Creators can make a huge number of different types of stop motion videos, including: pixilation, animation, Claymation, silhouette, cut-out, Lego, and puppet animation. Check out the great silhouette stop motion animation video below!

Stop motion video is a great tool to incorporate technology into your classroom, and connect it to other curricular outcomes. Teachers can incorporate stop motion videos into their classroom, while meeting English Language Arts, Art, and Technology learning outcomes. A great idea to do this is have students write a short story, create the characters and background, and then create their own stop motion video. This, of course, can be adapted for different grade levels. This could have students explore a huge range of themes and topics. Students could spend a large range of time on stop motion video, anywhere from 1 class block, to multiple weeks!

Ideally, students would have tripods to keep their device (iPad) stationary for filming, but students can get creative in ways to keep their device still. Additionally, iPads will need a stop motion video application (School District approved). We used the app ‘Zing Studio’, but there are tonnes of apps available to make stop motion videos. 

This week, we had the opportunity to go to Marysville Elementary school, where we created a stop motion video with a small group of students. This was a fantastic opportunity to further explore stop motion, while working with kids. 

We (Eva and I) started our time in the classroom getting to know our small group of students, and brainstorming ideas to make our stop motion video. The subject of our videos were students ‘desk pets’. Once we had an idea, we then worked together as a group on our stop motion video planning page, and story board. 

Once the planning was complete, it was time for the fun part – creating our stop motion video! This was very fun, and students were engaged the whole time! They loved drawing the background, moving the characters (desk pets), and taking the images to create the video. They also loved picking sounds to go along with the video.

At the end of the time with the students, we all met in one classroom and watched all of the groups videos, which students (and us) absolutely loved! Students were all very proud to show off their creations.

I am so excited to have the knowledge and practice with stop motion videos, and can’t wait to incorporate it into my future classroom!