Creating a story

English, Art and Design

Subjects

Sequence, beginning, middle, end, characters, scene, storyboard

Key words

• To appreciate the importance of a storyboard in the story planning process.

• To create their own storyboard.

Learning objectives

Lesson activityStarter: What is a story board?

Ask children what they think are the key parts of a story. Talk about the beginning, the middle and the end of a story and how each part has its own function. The beginning being where you introduce your readers to your character and setting. The middle is where you share a problem that needs to be solved and the end tells readers how that problem is resolved and what happens to the characters. You could encourage children to think of a twist or a surprise ending to their story.

Explain that another term for a storyboard is a sequence of events or putting things into their proper order. So before an animation is created, the animator (or film maker) needs to know the correct order or sequence in which to put things.

Using slides 3-11 children should put the story into the correct order to help them understand the importance of this process.

Task 1: Animation brainstorm

Divide the class into small groups. Explain that together, in their groups, they will be working on a short stop-frame animated sequence in the coming lessons but first need to scope out their animation.

Ask children to imagine they are about to climb aboard a 4D Magical Flying Bus ride in Shrek’s Adventure! London. This time, they can go anywhere they want to! They can either choose one of the Far Far Away destinations like The Poison Apple Pub or Shrek’s Swamp; or they can select another destination such as Africa (like the characters in Madagascar) or Kung Fu Panda’s Ancient China. To do this you might want to use the ‘Settings dice’ which you will find within this lesson’s folder. Using this dice, children can share their thoughts on what they think their chosen setting might be like, encouraging speaking and listening skills.

Next, groups should be assigned a means of creating their animation (such as LEGO, Plasticine, Play-Doh or split-pin puppets). Split pin puppets are made from paper or card and body parts are connected using ‘split pins’ to make them move. Character templates can be found within these lesson materials. Another option is to suggest children create their own drawn animations, slowly adding to an image in each frame like a Christmas tree being decorated or a snowman being built.

Once children have their chosen animation tools and chosen setting, groups should use Worksheet 1 to plan what their animated sequence is going to be.

Lesson plan 2 : page 1

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Creating a story (cont.)

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Lesson activityTask 2: Creating your own storyboard

Before you commence this task, explain that as with all animation, theirs should begin with a storyboard process where groups can plan out their animation and create a short script for their characters. Explain that other information like accompanying music and sound effects can also be added to a storyboard to help the animators understand what should be happening in each scene.

This is a good rehearsal in written dialogue and the use of speech marks. Worksheet 2 contains an 8 frame storyboard template and should be used to complete this task.

Children will need to be reminded that their final animation will be very short so not to make the sequence too complicated.

Plenary As a group, children should volunteer one key learning they will take away from today’s lesson.

Cross-curricular / extension opportunities:

Numeracy: Working with the understanding that it takes 26 frames to create 5 seconds of animation, a series of mathematical questions can be set requiring pupils to utilise their multiplication and division skills.

Children can be tasked with researching aspects of their chosen setting as a homework exercise.

Children should attempt this lesson following their trip to Shrek’s Adventure! London as their visit will provide stimulus for their stop motion settings. Before delivery of this lesson you may find it useful to cut out and assemble the ‘settings dice’ included with these materials as children may wish to use this tool to select the setting for their sequence.

Homework Notes

Lesson plan 2 : page 2