Zu3D is a new stop-motion animation program made specifically for schools.
It has been developed through primary school ICT Clubs and with the expert
knowledge of a professional animator who has worked with Aardman.
This software is visually stimulating and engaging for children of all ages. It
is easy to use and enables children to work independently on their very own
stop-motion animation.
It provides a tool for learning across all primary subjects and is an excellent
resource for our developing creative curriculum.
In the recent review of the primary curriculum learning through the arts
was highlighted as a priority.
“Through the arts, children will also develop original ideas, explore issues
and solve problems. Children will take part in different activities – from
singing and composing their own music to photography and animation.”
http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/primarycurriculumreview/downloads/83306-COIDCSF-
CurriculumReview(Summary).pdf
Animation is a multi-faceted form of art. You have to create a story, create
characters, make them from clay or plasticine, design and make sets,
compose soundtracks or select appropriate recorded music to enhance a
film. Animation means children have to solve problems, make decisions and
judgements, evaluate and improve their projects and review and reflect on
their learning. Zu3D is a powerful tool that demands all of these things
from our pupils as they have fun with their friends making a film, often not
realising that they are in fact working hard, learning new skills, applying new
theories and sharing fresh ideas.
“Design, dance, drawing, photography, drama, animation and music are all
possible areas for teachers to explore, and they can all cut across to other
subjects in exciting ways.”
http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/primarycurriculumreview/downloads/83306-COIDCSF-
CurriculumReview(Summary).pdf
Here are some ideas for how you might use Zu3D in the classroom to do just
that.
Literacy
Planning stories
Developing understanding of narrative structure
Animated stories
Story telling
Animated poems
Develop speaking and listening skills
Hotseat / Interview an animated character
Create an animated Wanted Poster
Animated instructions or explanations
Animate onomatopoeic words
Create an animated alphabet
Demonstrate what a sentence is through animated words and punctuation
Animate a blurb for a book – persuasive writing
Create a film trailer – persuasive writing
Making adverts – persuasive writing
Illustrating spelling rules
Create moving characters that can be used as a stimulus for a poem or play
Numeracy
Demonstrate fractions
Bonds to 10 / 20
Animated times tables rap
Explain division
Doubling and halving
Looking at 2D and 3D shapes
Science
Animate a life cycle
Animation of earth, moon and sun
Animate what happens in an electric circuit
Illustrate vibrations producing sound
Explain states of matter
PSHE
Crossing the road safely
Bullying scenario films
Fire safety advert
Electrical safety
Illustrate dangers of drugs and alcohol
How to care for your pet – animated instructions
Develop team work and cooperation
RE
Animate a Bible story or prayer
Animate a hymn
Animate a story from a festival
Show how a Muslim prays through an animated character
Geography
Illustrate the water cycle
Make an animated weather map
Show a route on a map
History
Recreate past events – moon landing
Interview famous people from the past
Illustrate characters and situations – Victorian children
Show contrasts – rich and poor in Victorian times
DT/Art
Experiment with different ways of creating the set for your animations
Make props for your set
PE
Illustrate the rules of a game
Make an advert about playing fair
How to jump and land safely
How to kick a ball
How to hold a tennis racket / cricket ball
Music
Record a composition to accompany your animation
Add sound effects
Choose appropriate music from a collection to enhance your film
The Primary National Strategy invites us to “Create a visual adaptation of a
simple text using toys, modelling clay, play figures and stop-frame animation
techniques” but we know that so much more can be achieved and explored
through animation, as well as developing the skills of filmmaking in their own
right.
Why not download Zu3D today and see what you can do?