Myers-Wilkins Elementary School - Ms. Isenberg, Art and Mrs. Boyson, 5th Grade - 41.0 hrs
Teaching Artist Residency January 4-15, 2016 Final Lesson
The lesson I had decided was to 5th graders was focused on basic animation. I helped them create a flipbook in one hour. They learned one of three basic fundamentals of animation, stretch and squash. They learned to stretch and squash by looking at an example of the fundamental being used in a quick two-second video that will be looped. Before starting our project I show them drawn examples of a regular ball, a stretched ball, and squashed ball, then had them practiced drawing the different types of balls. After the students got the hang of things from the drawing exercise we will began our flipbook, working step-by-step.
First I defined stretch and squash by showing them an example, 5 minutes at most by drawing under the teaching projector and drawing with them as I modeled the 'regular', 'vertical stretched', 'diagonal stretched' and 'squashed'. I had them write underneath their balls for reference. I then went around the room and to check to see if they understand with other teachers (my professor, Lynda, and Ms. Isenberg). Next I handed out all of their materials: Post-it flipbook, pencils, and erasers that were prepared. I demonstrated what we were going to be creating, emphasizing that we need to draw on each different page a new ball and we will start from the bottom. As well as mentioning that we need to follow the arch that is pre-made for them, 5 minutes.
Working step-by-step I drew first on a chart I was projecting a premade chat and they followed along in their flip books (ball 1 goes on page 1, flip the page, ball 2 goes on page 2, flip the page, etc.) and reminding them what sort of ball they are drawing (ball 1 is regular, ball 3 is stretched, ball 5 is squashed, etc.). I used the phrase “Look at me when you are finished” to see understand how the class was moving along and then “raise your hand if you need help” after, 15 minutes. I stopped to ask if everyone was following along, and took 5 minutes for students to catch up if need be. The class finished the rest of the flipbook 10-15 minutes soon after. Clean up was 5 minutes at most.
Many of the students caught on much quicker than I had originally anticipated. About a third was already two steps ahead of me after we got to the squashed part of the ball bounce. The other two thirds were either with me or just one step behind, which when corrected with the assistance in the classroom. Some students who had finished wanted to do one independently and I gave out whatever was left of the pre-made flip-books. After moving through the provided materials, students got creative by making faces on their balls or even figuring out ways to incorporate a stick figure body. I think, for fifth graders, this plan was a little too easy but I think for my next residency that the lesson will be perfect for third graders!