Make a Stop Motion Movie!

Students will:

• Be able to create an original stop-motion movie using a digital tool.
• Be able to communicate a story (characters, setting, conflict, plot, theme).
• Be able to explain fictional writing characteristics.
• Be able to finish an original movie from beginning to end.
• Be able to add images to communicate ideas.

Vocabulary Words:

1. Stop Motion: Stop motion is a video created from a series of still images in which objects move slightly in each frame. When objects are put together, they appear to move throughout the video.

2. Frame: A frame is one picture (that isn’t moving) that is put together with many other pictures to make a moving video.

3. Loop: A loop is when a video or part of the video starts again on its own.

4. Image: An image is a picture. 

5. Background:  A background is a physical picture of where the story takes place.

To prepare for this lesson:

• Teach students the elements of a story (characters, setting, conflict, plot, theme).

• Decide which creation tool students will use:

  • Google Slides

  • Microsoft PowerPoint

  • Canva

  • Stop Motion Animator app (tablet or Chromebook friendly)

• Model how a series of images can create the illusion of motion.

• Prepare students to work efficiently, as many stop-motion projects require completion in one sitting.

• Decide which tool you would like to use.  Below are directions for each.

  • OPTION 1: Stop Motion Studio (Google / Chromebook / Mobile App)

    OPTION 2: PowerPoint (PC, Mac, Chromebook via Web)

    OPTION 3: Canva (Web-based, very student-friendly)

• The teacher will teach the students about characters, setting, conflict, plot, and theme. 
   

See the Accommodations Page and Charts on the 21things4students website in the Teacher Resources. 

Directions for this activity:

The teacher will have already conducted lessons on how to communicate a story with the appropriate story elements. 

Day One - 

1. The teacher informs students that they will create their own original stop-motion movie to demonstrate their understanding of the elements of a story.

   • As a class, students brainstorm story ideas, including:

     • Characters

     • Setting

     • Beginning, middle, and end

   • The teacher introduces the chosen tool (PowerPoint, Google Slides, Canva, or Stop Motion Animator) or lets the students choose and demonstrates:

     • Adding backgrounds and images

     • Duplicating slides or frames

     • Making small changes to show movement

Day Two- 

1. Students open the selected creation tool.

2. Students create their stop-motion movie by:

   • Creating multiple frames (slides, pages, or photos)

   • Slightly moving characters or objects in each frame

   • Keeping the same background for several frames

    3. Students export their project:

• Slides tools: export as a video or animated GIF

• Stop Motion apps: export the completed video

     4. Students submit their finished movie through the learning management system.

Student Reminders

• Move characters a tiny bit each time.

• Keep the background the same.

• More frames = smoother motion.

• Check the speed before turning it in!

Students are done when:

• Your movie has many frames

• Your story makes sense

•  Your animation moves smoothly

• Export as video or GIF

• Turn it in to your teacher

Different options for assessing the students:

• Observations
• Check for understanding

Formative Assessment (During the Project) Use these while students are working:

• Teacher Observations - Students are creating multiple frames/slides

  • Students are making small movements between frames

  • Students can explain what stop motion is

  • Students are working through the beginning, middle, and end

• Student Check‑Ins

  • “Show me how your characters move.”

  • “What part of the story is this slide/frame?”

  • “How did you make your animation faster?”

• Peer Feedback (Optional)

  • Students share with a partner

  • Partners give one compliment and one suggestion

• Summative Assessment (Final Product) 

Assess the completed stop‑motion animation based on:

• Includes a clear story
• Characters
• Setting
• Beginning, middle, and end
• Uses multiple frames/slides
• Shows movement between frames

  •  Animation plays smoothly (speed adjusted)

  • The project is completed and submitted

• Student Checklist https://docs.google.com/document/d/1MM9GtUTIVdtxeRygm0iw1GYgEPTg3YWobvWPSGMHnqQ/edit?usp=sharing