Learning objective
Stop-Motion & Frame Animation
Animation Basics
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Welcome to Animation Basics! In this strand, you will learn how to bring static drawings and objects to life using stop-motion capture, flipbooks, frame-by-frame editing, and digital keyframing.
Moving Pictures
Frame flipbooks and simple stop-motion loops.
Let's Go!
Learn
Animation is magic built from still pictures! When you take pictures of an object and move it just a tiny bit between each shot, playing them quickly makes it look like it's alive.
My Flipbook Studio
Level 1: Moving Pictures & Persistence of Vision
Level 1
Playback & Speed
🧅 Onion Skinning Ghost
See a faint ghost of the previous frame to align your character for smooth, fluid motion.
📐 Camera Rig & Stability
Holding a camera by hand causes violent background wobbles. Lock the tripod!
🔊 Foley Sound Effects (Audio Sync)
Tap a sound pad to play realistic foley effects aligned with the bounce!
🚀 Keyframing & Tweening
Instead of drawing 50 individual frames, let the computer calculate intermediate motion paths!
🟩 Chroma Key & Background Replacement
Key out the studio green screen and composite your character into new worlds!
Timeline Filmstrip (4 Keyframes)Frame 1
Frame 1
Frame 2
Frame 3
Frame 4
Try it yourself
Create a 5-frame animation loop!
🚀 Open a practice space
🌟 Student Project GuideSuccess Criteria & WAGOLL (What A Good One Looks Like)
🎯 Task Success Criteria (Rubric)
Foundation
Recognise that a series of still images creates motion.
Developing
Capture a sequence of 3-5 stop-motion photos.
Secure (Goal)
Create a repeating animation loop using a tablet camera.
Mastery
Adjust frame playback speed to control movement. Typing: 5 WPM.
👀 What A Good One Looks Like (WAGOLL)
Exemplar Standard
A top-tier student project for Moving Pictures includes:
- Core Deliverable: Create a 5-frame animation loop!
- Target Quality: Create a repeating animation loop using a tablet camera.
- Excellence & Polish: Adjust frame playback speed to control movement. Typing: 5 WPM.
📁
Save to Your Website Portfolio:
When you finish creating your project in your software, copy the share link or take a screenshot and publish it onto your student portfolio website!
⭐Self-Assessment: How confident do you feel with this skill?
Reflect
Learning check
Teacher setup, curriculum links and progress descriptors
Spark support
Routine: See, Think, Wonder
Achievement pathway
- Foundation: Recognise that a series of still images creates motion.
- Developing: Capture a sequence of 3-5 stop-motion photos.
- Secure: Create a repeating animation loop using a tablet camera.
- Mastering: Adjust frame playback speed to control movement. Typing: 5 WPM.
Curriculum links
Curriculum strand: CM.01.B.1.2
Outcome: ANIM-O-01 — Frame flipbooks and simple stop-motion loops.
PYP: Form · Technology helps us express stories visually.
Learner profile: Inquirer
Competency tags
Gate support
Accessibility alternative:
Teacher override: allow
Locked level
Level 2: Onion Skinning
Complete the previous learning check to unlock this next level.
Onion Skinning
Onion skinning and frame rate adjustments.
Learning objective
Learning About: Onion Skinning. Learning To: Smooth movement. Learning To Be: Communicator.
Let's Go!
Learn
Onion skinning lets you see a faint ghost of your previous picture! This helps you place your next drawing or figure in the exact right spot so the motion isn't jerky.
My Flipbook Studio
Level 1: Moving Pictures & Persistence of Vision
Level 1
Playback & Speed
🧅 Onion Skinning Ghost
See a faint ghost of the previous frame to align your character for smooth, fluid motion.
📐 Camera Rig & Stability
Holding a camera by hand causes violent background wobbles. Lock the tripod!
🔊 Foley Sound Effects (Audio Sync)
Tap a sound pad to play realistic foley effects aligned with the bounce!
🚀 Keyframing & Tweening
Instead of drawing 50 individual frames, let the computer calculate intermediate motion paths!
🟩 Chroma Key & Background Replacement
Key out the studio green screen and composite your character into new worlds!
Timeline Filmstrip (4 Keyframes)Frame 1
Frame 1
Frame 2
Frame 3
Frame 4
Try it yourself
Animate with onion skinning!
🚀 Open a practice space
🌟 Student Project GuideSuccess Criteria & WAGOLL (What A Good One Looks Like)
🎯 Task Success Criteria (Rubric)
Foundation
Understand what onion skinning overlay shows.
Developing
Use onion skinning to position the next frame accurately.
Secure (Goal)
Create a 10-frame smooth movement sequence.
Mastery
Compare 6 FPS vs 12 FPS animation playback. Typing: 10 WPM.
👀 What A Good One Looks Like (WAGOLL)
Exemplar Standard
A top-tier student project for Onion Skinning includes:
- Core Deliverable: Animate with onion skinning!
- Target Quality: Create a 10-frame smooth movement sequence.
- Excellence & Polish: Compare 6 FPS vs 12 FPS animation playback. Typing: 10 WPM.
📁
Save to Your Website Portfolio:
When you finish creating your project in your software, copy the share link or take a screenshot and publish it onto your student portfolio website!
⭐Self-Assessment: How confident do you feel with this skill?
Reflect
Learning check
Teacher setup, curriculum links and progress descriptors
Spark support
Routine: Zoom In
Achievement pathway
- Foundation: Understand what onion skinning overlay shows.
- Developing: Use onion skinning to position the next frame accurately.
- Secure: Create a 10-frame smooth movement sequence.
- Mastering: Compare 6 FPS vs 12 FPS animation playback. Typing: 10 WPM.
Curriculum links
Curriculum strand: CM.01.B.1.2
Outcome: ANIM-O-02 — Onion skinning and frame rate adjustments.
PYP: Function · Sequencing frames creates smooth motion.
Learner profile: Communicator
Competency tags
Gate support
Accessibility alternative:
Teacher override: allow
Locked level
Level 3: Storyboards & Sets
Complete the previous learning check to unlock this next level.
Storyboards & Sets
Storyboard planning, lighting, and camera positioning.
Learning objective
Learning About: Storyboarding. Learning To: Plan animation sequences. Learning To Be: Thinker.
Let's Go!
Learn
Before shooting an animation, professionals plan every camera angle on a storyboard! Keeping your tablet locked on a tripod ensures your scene doesn't wobble while your story plays out.
My Flipbook Studio
Level 1: Moving Pictures & Persistence of Vision
Level 1
Playback & Speed
🧅 Onion Skinning Ghost
See a faint ghost of the previous frame to align your character for smooth, fluid motion.
📐 Camera Rig & Stability
Holding a camera by hand causes violent background wobbles. Lock the tripod!
🔊 Foley Sound Effects (Audio Sync)
Tap a sound pad to play realistic foley effects aligned with the bounce!
🚀 Keyframing & Tweening
Instead of drawing 50 individual frames, let the computer calculate intermediate motion paths!
🟩 Chroma Key & Background Replacement
Key out the studio green screen and composite your character into new worlds!
Timeline Filmstrip (4 Keyframes)Frame 1
Frame 1
Frame 2
Frame 3
Frame 4
Try it yourself
Plan and film a story scene!
🚀 Open a practice space
🌟 Student Project GuideSuccess Criteria & WAGOLL (What A Good One Looks Like)
🎯 Task Success Criteria (Rubric)
Foundation
Identify key parts of an animation storyboard.
Developing
Draw a 4-panel storyboard before animating.
Secure (Goal)
Set up a steady camera rig and background set.
Mastery
Animate a complete short scene following a storyboard plan. Typing: 15 WPM.
👀 What A Good One Looks Like (WAGOLL)
Exemplar Standard
A top-tier student project for Storyboards & Sets includes:
- Core Deliverable: Plan and film a story scene!
- Target Quality: Set up a steady camera rig and background set.
- Excellence & Polish: Animate a complete short scene following a storyboard plan. Typing: 15 WPM.
📁
Save to Your Website Portfolio:
When you finish creating your project in your software, copy the share link or take a screenshot and publish it onto your student portfolio website!
⭐Self-Assessment: How confident do you feel with this skill?
Reflect
Learning check
Teacher setup, curriculum links and progress descriptors
Spark support
Routine: Think, Puzzle, Explore
Achievement pathway
- Foundation: Identify key parts of an animation storyboard.
- Developing: Draw a 4-panel storyboard before animating.
- Secure: Set up a steady camera rig and background set.
- Mastering: Animate a complete short scene following a storyboard plan. Typing: 15 WPM.
Curriculum links
Curriculum strand: CM.02.B.1.1
Outcome: ANIM-O-03 — Storyboard planning, lighting, and camera positioning.
PYP: Change · Planning scenes ensures coherent narratives.
Learner profile: Thinker
Competency tags
Gate support
Accessibility alternative:
Teacher override: allow
Locked level
Level 4: Audio & Foley
Complete the previous learning check to unlock this next level.
Audio & Foley
Adding sound effects, voiceovers, and audio timing.
Learning objective
Learning About: Sound Sync. Learning To: Add voice & audio effects. Learning To Be: Principled.
Let's Go!
Learn
Foley is the art of creating everyday sound effects for films! Adding footstep sounds, pops, and voiceover lines at the exact right frame turns a simple animation into a cinematic experience.
My Flipbook Studio
Level 1: Moving Pictures & Persistence of Vision
Level 1
Playback & Speed
🧅 Onion Skinning Ghost
See a faint ghost of the previous frame to align your character for smooth, fluid motion.
📐 Camera Rig & Stability
Holding a camera by hand causes violent background wobbles. Lock the tripod!
🔊 Foley Sound Effects (Audio Sync)
Tap a sound pad to play realistic foley effects aligned with the bounce!
🚀 Keyframing & Tweening
Instead of drawing 50 individual frames, let the computer calculate intermediate motion paths!
🟩 Chroma Key & Background Replacement
Key out the studio green screen and composite your character into new worlds!
Timeline Filmstrip (4 Keyframes)Frame 1
Frame 1
Frame 2
Frame 3
Frame 4
Try it yourself
Add voice and sound effects!
🚀 Open a practice space
🌟 Student Project GuideSuccess Criteria & WAGOLL (What A Good One Looks Like)
🎯 Task Success Criteria (Rubric)
Foundation
Recognise how sound effects (foley) change story mood.
Developing
Record a clear voiceover track for an animation.
Secure (Goal)
Sync sound effect clips to exact frame events.
Mastery
Edit and balance background music against character dialogue. Typing: 20 WPM.
👀 What A Good One Looks Like (WAGOLL)
Exemplar Standard
A top-tier student project for Audio & Foley includes:
- Core Deliverable: Add voice and sound effects!
- Target Quality: Sync sound effect clips to exact frame events.
- Excellence & Polish: Edit and balance background music against character dialogue. Typing: 20 WPM.
📁
Save to Your Website Portfolio:
When you finish creating your project in your software, copy the share link or take a screenshot and publish it onto your student portfolio website!
⭐Self-Assessment: How confident do you feel with this skill?
Reflect
Learning check
Teacher setup, curriculum links and progress descriptors
Spark support
Routine: See, Think, Wonder
Achievement pathway
- Foundation: Recognise how sound effects (foley) change story mood.
- Developing: Record a clear voiceover track for an animation.
- Secure: Sync sound effect clips to exact frame events.
- Mastering: Edit and balance background music against character dialogue. Typing: 20 WPM.
Curriculum links
Curriculum strand: CM.02.B.1.1
Outcome: ANIM-O-04 — Adding sound effects, voiceovers, and audio timing.
PYP: Connection · Audio enhances visual storytelling.
Learner profile: Principled
Competency tags
Gate support
Accessibility alternative:
Teacher override: allow
Locked level
Level 5: Keyframing & Motion
Complete the previous learning check to unlock this next level.
Keyframing & Motion
Vector path animation, keyframes, and tweening.
Learning objective
Learning About: Keyframing. Learning To: Animate vector paths. Learning To Be: Knowledgeable.
Let's Go!
Learn
Keyframing is digital magic! Instead of drawing 50 frames, you set a starting position at Keyframe 1 and an ending position at Keyframe 50. The computer automatically fills in the frames between (tweening)!
My Flipbook Studio
Level 1: Moving Pictures & Persistence of Vision
Level 1
Playback & Speed
🧅 Onion Skinning Ghost
See a faint ghost of the previous frame to align your character for smooth, fluid motion.
📐 Camera Rig & Stability
Holding a camera by hand causes violent background wobbles. Lock the tripod!
🔊 Foley Sound Effects (Audio Sync)
Tap a sound pad to play realistic foley effects aligned with the bounce!
🚀 Keyframing & Tweening
Instead of drawing 50 individual frames, let the computer calculate intermediate motion paths!
🟩 Chroma Key & Background Replacement
Key out the studio green screen and composite your character into new worlds!
Timeline Filmstrip (4 Keyframes)Frame 1
Frame 1
Frame 2
Frame 3
Frame 4
Try it yourself
Create a keyframed motion path!
🚀 Open a practice space
🌟 Student Project GuideSuccess Criteria & WAGOLL (What A Good One Looks Like)
🎯 Task Success Criteria (Rubric)
Foundation
Understand the difference between frame-by-frame and keyframe animation.
Developing
Set starting and ending keyframes for a moving object.
Secure (Goal)
Animate scale, rotation, and position using automated motion paths (tweening).
Mastery
Apply motion easing (ease-in / ease-out) for natural physics. Typing: 25 WPM.
👀 What A Good One Looks Like (WAGOLL)
Exemplar Standard
A top-tier student project for Keyframing & Motion includes:
- Core Deliverable: Create a keyframed motion path!
- Target Quality: Animate scale, rotation, and position using automated motion paths (tweening).
- Excellence & Polish: Apply motion easing (ease-in / ease-out) for natural physics. Typing: 25 WPM.
📁
Save to Your Website Portfolio:
When you finish creating your project in your software, copy the share link or take a screenshot and publish it onto your student portfolio website!
⭐Self-Assessment: How confident do you feel with this skill?
Reflect
Learning check
Teacher setup, curriculum links and progress descriptors
Spark support
Routine: I used to think...
Achievement pathway
- Foundation: Understand the difference between frame-by-frame and keyframe animation.
- Developing: Set starting and ending keyframes for a moving object.
- Secure: Animate scale, rotation, and position using automated motion paths (tweening).
- Mastering: Apply motion easing (ease-in / ease-out) for natural physics. Typing: 25 WPM.
Curriculum links
Curriculum strand: CM.03.B.1.1
Outcome: ANIM-O-05 — Vector path animation, keyframes, and tweening.
PYP: Perspective · Digital tools automate repetitive motion tasks.
Learner profile: Knowledgeable
Competency tags
Gate support
Accessibility alternative:
Teacher override: allow
Locked level
Level 6: Green Screen & Rigs
Complete the previous learning check to unlock this next level.
Green Screen & Rigs
Chroma keying, 3D rig animation, and final editing.
Learning objective
Learning About: Compositing. Learning To: Apply chroma key & 3D rigs. Learning To Be: Reflective.
Let's Go!
Learn
Chroma Keying (Green Screen) allows you to isolate your animated characters and place them into any world! By knocking out the solid green color, you can layer animated sprites over custom digital backgrounds.
My Flipbook Studio
Level 1: Moving Pictures & Persistence of Vision
Level 1
Playback & Speed
🧅 Onion Skinning Ghost
See a faint ghost of the previous frame to align your character for smooth, fluid motion.
📐 Camera Rig & Stability
Holding a camera by hand causes violent background wobbles. Lock the tripod!
🔊 Foley Sound Effects (Audio Sync)
Tap a sound pad to play realistic foley effects aligned with the bounce!
🚀 Keyframing & Tweening
Instead of drawing 50 individual frames, let the computer calculate intermediate motion paths!
🟩 Chroma Key & Background Replacement
Key out the studio green screen and composite your character into new worlds!
Timeline Filmstrip (4 Keyframes)Frame 1
Frame 1
Frame 2
Frame 3
Frame 4
Try it yourself
Produce a green screen composite film!
🚀 Open a practice space
🌟 Student Project GuideSuccess Criteria & WAGOLL (What A Good One Looks Like)
🎯 Task Success Criteria (Rubric)
Foundation
Identify how green screen (chroma key) compositing works.
Developing
Film an animated character in front of a green backdrop.
Secure (Goal)
Replace the green background with a custom digital environment.
Mastery
Composite multiple animation layers, titles, and audio into a final video. Typing: 30+ WPM.
👀 What A Good One Looks Like (WAGOLL)
Exemplar Standard
A top-tier student project for Green Screen & Rigs includes:
- Core Deliverable: Produce a green screen composite film!
- Target Quality: Replace the green background with a custom digital environment.
- Excellence & Polish: Composite multiple animation layers, titles, and audio into a final video. Typing: 30+ WPM.
📁
Save to Your Website Portfolio:
When you finish creating your project in your software, copy the share link or take a screenshot and publish it onto your student portfolio website!
⭐Self-Assessment: How confident do you feel with this skill?
Reflect
Learning check
Teacher setup, curriculum links and progress descriptors
Spark support
Routine: Step Inside
Achievement pathway
- Foundation: Identify how green screen (chroma key) compositing works.
- Developing: Film an animated character in front of a green backdrop.
- Secure: Replace the green background with a custom digital environment.
- Mastering: Composite multiple animation layers, titles, and audio into a final video. Typing: 30+ WPM.
Curriculum links
Curriculum strand: CM.03.B.1.1
Outcome: ANIM-O-06 — Chroma keying, 3D rig animation, and final editing.
PYP: Reflection · Combining techniques produces professional media.
Learner profile: Reflective
Competency tags
Gate support
Accessibility alternative:
Teacher override: allow