Animals in Winter

Assign children to groups of two or three and let them choose an animal from a list of animals that you know your school library has books and other materials available for research. Choose animals that hybernate, migrate or in some way adapt during cold winter months. Ex. bear, bat, snake, snowshore hare, arctic fox, deer, moose, goose, etc.
After the children have collected data have them write a short report on their animal, illustrate a food chain, build a dirama of the animals environment and make a model of their animal out of oil based clay. Some animals will need wire skellital structure to help them retain their shape during animation. Wings for birds and bats can be made from clay or tissue paper on wire frames.
Next have the children plan their animation in story board form. Have them plan what will happen at the beginning, middle and end of their animation. Have them write sentences below each frame, narrating the action.
Set a still camera or video camera on a tripod and have the students film their claymation in the diaramas they have made. The diaramas can be set on a desk or table with a neutral or sky colored back drop. Teach the students the basics of claymation by having them take a picture, slightly move their model and take another shot. Remind them to make sure their hands are out of the way before taking a picture. I had my students take at least 200 pictures, which makes about a half minute film including titles and credits. Down load the pictures into the computer and using a moving making or animation program, help the student edit and produce their film. Help the students add their narration to the finished film. Students can film there animal eating by making clay models of the food and slowly make the grass/rabbit, fish/bear, rat/snake or other food dissapear frame by frame. This activity can be adapted to any age group. I have used this activity with first and second graders.