Yesterday we made stop animation videos of patterns in Early Primary. I downloaded a free app called Stop Motion Studio onto a few Samsung tablets and figured out how it worked first (it was pretty easy). The next day, I showed students examples of stop animations, what materials they had access to (pattern blocks, piggies, and plastic bears), and who their partner was. Since I teach two grade levels, I differentiated by having Kindergarteners make stop motion videos of repeating patterns, and first graders make stop motion videos of growing patterns. I then had the students huddle around me as I made a video and showed them how to use the program. Then, I set them loose with their buddy to plan.
It was a little messy at first as we used stacks of books for our tripods and the books spilled a few times. Oops! The students were engaged and I noticed some nice collaboration going on in the group work, with students designating roles of who would take the picture and who would set up the pattern. Today I showed the videos to the whole class and students watched quietly and enjoyed it. I told them we will definitely be doing stop motion again!
It was a little messy at first as we used stacks of books for our tripods and the books spilled a few times. Oops! The students were engaged and I noticed some nice collaboration going on in the group work, with students designating roles of who would take the picture and who would set up the pattern. Today I showed the videos to the whole class and students watched quietly and enjoyed it. I told them we will definitely be doing stop motion again!