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Keywords: stop-motion, animation, America, history, video, presentation
Subject(s): Art, Video, Technology, Writing, Animation, Music, Reading, Information Skills, Photography, Social Studies, Drama, History
Grades 7 through 8
NETS-S Standard:
  • Creativity and Innovation
  • Communication and Collaboration
  • Research and Information Fluency
  • Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, and Decision Making
  • Digital Citizenship
  • Technology Operations and Concepts
View Full Text of Standards
School: Bay Shore Middle School, Bay Shore, NY
Planned By: Kristina Holzweiss
Original Author: Kristina Holzweiss, Bay Shore
The students will work in groups to investigate an important event or time period in American history such as the first explorers, the Pilgrims landing at Plymouth Rock, the American Revolution, the Civil War, the Industrial Revolution, the Great Depression, the Civil Rights Movement, Modern Wars, etc. They will use print resources (books and encyclopedias), as well as online databases and Web sites.

Each student in the group will use the research to write an essay about why their event was such a turning point in history. The students will also learn how to cite their sources, and will create a Works Cited page using easybib.com.

The groups will create scripts and storyboards to design a 3 minute movie about their event. They will also design the mini-sets, search for music, record dialogue, and create characters out of art supplies.

Each group will be responsible for taking 100+ still pictures with a digital camera to create their movie. They will use iStopMotion on the Mac computers to animate their movies. They will add music, dialogue, and narration where appropriate.

Comments
Technology skills should not be taught in isolation. This activity will help students not only to learn and internalize the content information, but also help them develop their artistic skills. All of the students will become active participants who must negotiate and collaborate. This activity will tap into student strengths that are often ignored such as art and music.
Cross-Curriculum Ideas
With these supplies, students can also create movies illustrating mathematical and scientific concepts. It is also a great alternative to the book report.
Follow-Up
The project wil end with a special screening by teachers, students, and faculty. The movies will be shared with the ESL and special education students through the school web site.
Links: Link to iStopMotion software
Materials: Point and Shoot, Microphones, Tripods, Memory Cards, Animation
Other Items: 1 IStopMotion Software (School License), $250 each, total of $250.00
5 Digital Cameras, $250 each, total of $1250.00
5 microphones, $20 each, total of $100.00
art supplies, $50 each
5 tripods for digital cameras, $10 each, total of $50.00
5 memory cards for digital cameras, $25 each, total of $125.00