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Year 3

Make your monster move - stop motion animation

I can create a stop motion animation to make my monster move.

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New
New
Year 3

Make your monster move - stop motion animation

I can create a stop motion animation to make my monster move.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Stop motion animation is used to create animations of clay models.
  2. Stop motion animation involves taking a series of still images to create the illusion of movement.
  3. Proper lighting ensures consistent and clear images.

Keywords

  • Stop motion animation - a form of animation involving sequential photography of still objects

  • Storyboard - a sequence of drawings representing the shots planned for an animation or film

  • Digital device - an electronic device such as a tablet, smartphone, or camera used for creating and editing animations

Common misconception

Pupils may think that stop motion animation is the same as a video recording. They may think that you need expensive equipment to create stop motion animations.

Remind pupils that stop motion animation is created by taking individual still images. A video recording captures continuous motion. It can be created using simple and readily available devices.

Encourage pupils to look back at their storyboards of their monster animation. Do remember to place clay models back into an air tight container to prevent them from air drying. Try to find a free stop motion animation app to create the animation.
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Teacher tip

Equipment

Tablet / camera and computer

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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6 Questions

Q1.
Put these steps of creating a stop motion animation in the correct order.
1 - Move your character slightly.
2 - Take a photograph.
3 - Repeat the process until you have enough photographs.
4 - Check your photographs to make sure they look good.
Q2.
Match each step with what you need to do.
Correct Answer:Prepare your clay.,Make the clay soft so it’s easier to shape.

Make the clay soft so it’s easier to shape.

Correct Answer:Form the main body shape.,Shape the monster's body.

Shape the monster's body.

Correct Answer:Add features like eyes and legs.,Attach eyes, legs, and other details.

Attach eyes, legs, and other details.

Correct Answer:Decorate your monster.,Add colours and textures.

Add colours and textures.

Correct Answer:Store your clay model.,Leave your monster in an airtight container to stop it from drying.

Leave your monster in an airtight container to stop it from drying.

Q3.
A toothpick can be used to help hold body parts together securely on your clay monster.
Correct answer: True
False
Q4.
Which of these is important to do before starting your stop-motion animation?
Make the clay extra hard.
Correct answer: Keep the camera in a fixed position.
Change the monster's colour each time.
Q5.
Adding roughness, smoothness, or patterns to your monster's surface is called ...
techniques
Correct answer: texture
tone
Q6.
The setting or background where you place your monster is known as the ...
film
Correct answer: scenery
wallpaper

5 Questions

Q1.
Match the keywords to the definitions.
Correct Answer:stop motion animation,a form of animation involving sequential photography of still objects

a form of animation involving sequential photography of still objects

Correct Answer:storyboard,a sequence of drawings representing the shots planned for an animation

a sequence of drawings representing the shots planned for an animation

Correct Answer:digital device,an electronic device such as a tablet, smartphone, or camera

an electronic device such as a tablet, smartphone, or camera

Q2.
Which devices can be used to create stop motion animation?
Correct answer: tablet
Correct answer: camera
Correct answer: stop motion animation software
Correct answer: tripod
Q3.
What do you need to do last when using the stop motion software?
Add sound.
Import your photos.
Correct answer: Save the animation.
Q4.
Put these steps of creating a stop motion animation in the correct order.
1 - Import your photographs into the software.
2 - Arrange your photographs in the correct order.
3 - Check the animation by playing it back.
4 - Save your animation.
Q5.
Consistent will help to prevent changes in brightness or shadows in the animation.
Correct answer: lighting
backgrounds
textures