Integrated Lesson Plan- Week 11

Integrated Lesson Plan

Subject: Art

Grade Level: 9th Grade

Lesson: Figure in Motion-(short animation using clay figures)

This lesson will be used in a unit for the figure in motion.  The objective of the lesson will be to teach students about the anatomy of the figure and how it moves.  We will then use what we have learned on the anatomy and motion and create small clay sculptures as our characters in a short animated film.

The first session will be done independently, in which the students will have the opportunity to learn the bascis of the human form. They will be required to have a sketchbook with various drawings on the sketletal structure, muscles and joints.  They will need to research and use the biology labs as references.  The sketches will then be analyzed and shared with the class for discussion and critique.

Once a basic understanding of the figure is established, a trip will be arranged in a local dance studio, where the students can sketch freely and put together what they have learned of the anatomy of the body with motion.  They will have quick gesture drawings which will allow them to see how the body can move and how the joints and muscles they have studied come into play.

The student will then be put into groups of 3 to 4 and will have to come up with a short story which will be used for their animation.  Once all storylines are reviewed and approved, the students will be responsible for setting up a backdrop(stage& props) for their scenes.  It can range from nature, interiors, or whatever goes with their story and should be painted on mat board or cardboard. They will be required to have a least two characters made with a wire skeletal system (which they can use their earlier sketches to reference)  and plasticine(clay) covering which is very pliable and durable.

Lastly, after all the backgrounds, props and figures are created, it is time to create the animation!

They will use a digital camera and take 20-30 shots , moving the figures and the scene slightly in each shot in order to created the movement for the final product.  The completed animations should be no more than 3 minutes long.

The images will be uploaded onto the computer and compiled using Microsoft Movie Maker to complete the project. Using this program, the images and arranged and shown at the right speed so the characters come to life.  Music and dialogue are optional.

This lesson will not only teach them about the anatomy and motion of the figure, but it will allow them to use what they have learned and bring it to life.

Week 10- Texting

Over the past years it is evident that the use of technology has been a major part of kids everyday life.  They are either texting friends, posting thoughts and photos on facebook or myspace, sharing personal information with each other, which is a great way of communication, but this could lead to inappropriate misuse of technology which we have seen in this weeks lesson.

 

Kids taking their lives because of the simple mistakes that kids have been making for years.  Trusting the wrong people and not thinking of the repercussions of their actions.  Lets face it they are kids, most of us have made pretty stupid mistakes at that age as well, the only differencce is that with technology, the information spreads quickly to large masses and there is always a record of it that the child can't seem to escape.

I believe that a parent should be responsible for teaching their child the proper way to use the technology they are allowing their children to have access to.  Their should be  boundaries set, which will allow their kids freedom to explore, but should be monitored for inappropriate behaviour.  Parents need to take a more active role in knowing their kids and looking for clues which show signs of trouble and informing their kids on what is safe and what could be a potential threat.

As for schools, I feel strongly against having cell phones use during school hours.  Is there really a need for it?  If there is an emergency, the school usually has access to all the parents information. Unfortunaltly, that is not the reality and kids have access to their cell phones during school hours, so it would only make sence for the school to teach kids the right way to share information and the repercussions for using technology in the wrong way.