Tag: AnimationsWithKids

Pretty clothes clashing with science?

mh

I like pretty clothes. However, in one of my "Animations with kids", I made a video with the second-graders at MacAllister Elementary called "A handbook to taking care of the earth." And in that movie, it kind of sets up a conflict between doing good in school/being conscientious versus fashion. I didn't want to make… Continue reading Pretty clothes clashing with science?

Animations with kids: do the kids actually learn anything?

mh

The main idea of "Animations with kids" is that the kids learn some science in a friendly, storytelling way. So when I was writing the story for "Mr. Glump and the poisonous pond", I had hopes that the second-graders, and anyone watching the film, would come away knowing exactly how algae kills fish: that when… Continue reading Animations with kids: do the kids actually learn anything?

The unestimable sweetness of fifth graders

mh

Yes, I said once that 'I don't understand' fifth-graders. And I think I still don't. I related many anecdotes of my difficulties. But they're sweet, nonetheless. The way they all eagerly contributed to ideas when I asked them to pick a title for their story. It came time to vote on the ideas ... and… Continue reading The unestimable sweetness of fifth graders

Watching kids watch each other’s animations

mh

I made "Mr. Turtle Gets Sick" with a class of second-graders in Chapel Hill 4 and a half years ago. And every time I go into a new classroom, those kids watch "Mr. Turtle", too, so they have an idea of what this project is like. It makes me really happy to think that after… Continue reading Watching kids watch each other’s animations

Last messages from my animating kids

mh

I like to finish each film with 'Last messages'. I did it first with "Mr. Turtle Gets Sick". I came up with the final thoughts myself. But this time around, I thought I'd ask the kids, and this is what they came up with.. The second-graders who made "Mr. Glump and the Poisonous Pond": Algae… Continue reading Last messages from my animating kids

Animations with kids and old Eurovision songs

mh

I've had a song from the 1989 Eurovision stuck in my head. As I was editing/fixing/polishing/rendering the animations for McAllister Elementary, I listened to it on repeat, as I do, making handy use of the YouTube refresh button. It was still on my computer when I dashed to McAllister the very day before our viewing… Continue reading Animations with kids and old Eurovision songs

Me and Anne Shirley teaching: Animations with Kids

mh

I just finished re-reading Anne of Avonlea (the sequel to Anne of Green Gables.) In that book, Anne is sixteen-and-a-half years old and starts teaching, and of course, she becomes the best teacher the kids ever had. I always liked reading this book. I loved reading about Anne as a teacher. Except this time when… Continue reading Me and Anne Shirley teaching: Animations with Kids

Can’t understand fifth-graders

mh

I'm working with fifth-graders, and they are quite beyond my comprehension. There was this girl called ... well, let's call her Anna. She's a goofy girl. She spent the first class I was with them with her head down or in her arms the whole time nearly. Now she's livened up a bit and she… Continue reading Can’t understand fifth-graders

The girl who turned her back

mh

"I never met a child who didn't like this project." This is what I tell everyone when describing making science animations with kids. Until last week, when this girl we'll call Leah turned up with an attitude for her session with me. As we have been progressing quickly along, I was already at the stage… Continue reading The girl who turned her back