In this case study, we see how Otterham School in Cornwall used animation in the learning:
The children began by visiting Plymouth Aquarium where they sketched the fantastic creatures they saw, and watched an artist working alongside them.
Class 3 (Reception, Year 1 & 2) made the first film. They visited Newquay Aquarium to draw and get inspired and the wrote the script for 'Squirt finds a Friend' (with support). Amanda Lorens came in as a professional animator, and helped with filming and editing. The children made all the important decisions. Click
here to see the completed animation "Squirt finds a Friend".
They decorated it with images from drawn/digital designs which were inspired by reading different genres of stories. They visited Plymouth Aquarium where they worked with their resident artist. In addition, they visited Falmouth Maritime Museum to collate more drawings and inspiration for their film.
They then worked on creative writing, making a narrative for their idea 'Strictly Underwater' with the writer, Jon Cleave.
"The best thing about Change School was making myself into hybrid sea creatures because it was funny and we are going to create amazing stories about them for literacy!"
Georgie, Year 6
Amanda Lorens came in and they made a Plasticine adaptation of their script. View their finished animation "Strictly Underwater" below.
Class 2 created models in plasticine. They composed a story using their models on a background scene. Capturing images of each step of the story using I Can Animate software.
"I liked making the music best. It was funny making the angry and swirl whirly sea. We kept singing it again and again!"
Amber, Key Stage 1
" I got to make all my characters from my literacy lessons- I felt really excited and proud when I saw them dance!"
Perryn, Year 3
"I think it's really changed the attitude of the whole school. All different classes have worked together and swapped their ideas to make films and digital pictures."
Jack, Year 6
This animation won second prize in the Cornwall competition
Strictly Underwater - Otterham CP School, Camelford
Class 2 visited Falmouth Maritime Museum to draw and get inspiration for their film. They then worked on creative writing, making a narrative for their idea 'Strictly Underwater' with the writer, Jon Cleave.
Many thanks for Ruth Proudfoot-Smith for this fascinating account of the Otterham School Change School project.
Watch the Museum of Ocean Locomotion film by class 1