Animation project

Animation Project- 2 Weeks

Week 1: Create an outdoor scene and save it. Upload it to the wall to share with your classmates. (Double-click on the wall then click the symbol in the middle to upload your GIF).

Week 2: Your choice. Make it at least 15 slides long. Make sure you save it when you are done.
Simple Starter Ideas (optional)
A robot waves 3 times
A ball drops, squishes, and bounces
A rocket lifts off and exits the top
A cat blinks and tail swishes
A emoji face changes from 🙂 to 😮 to 😄

Watch this optional video tutorial if needed

How to Create an Animation with Brush Ninja

1) Open & Set Up
Go to BrushNinja.com.
Click New (if it asks) to start with a blank canvas.
Learn the screen:
Left = drawing tools (brush, shapes, text, fill, eraser).
Bottom = Frames/Timeline (each box is one picture/frame).
Top = color/size + Play ▶ to preview.
2) Plan a 3–5 second story
Keep it simple: one character/object moving (e.g., a robot waving or a ball bouncing).
Aim for 8–20 frames total.
3) Draw your background on Frame 1
In Frame 1, draw the background (floor, sky, bed, desk, etc.).
Keep it simple—backgrounds don’t move.
4) Duplicate the frame (so the background stays)
In the timeline, right-click Frame 1 (or use the duplicate button) to make Frame 2.
Now your background is copied. You’ll animate on each new duplicate.
Tip: Always duplicate the last frame before animating the next step. This keeps the background consistent.
5) Add or move your character/object
On Frame 2, draw your character/object (or move it slightly if it’s already there).
Make small changes from the previous frame (tiny moves = smooth animation).
Tip: Turn on Onion Skin (ghost view) if available—it shows a faint preview of the last frame so you can line things up.
6) Keep going: small changes, new frames
Duplicate the last frame.
Move/adjust your character a little.
Repeat until your action is complete (wave finishes, ball lands, etc.).
Smooth motion rule: the smaller the move, the smoother it looks.
7) Use simple tools well
Brush: draw shapes/characters.
Fill (paint bucket): color large areas.
Text: add a title or speech bubble.
Undo: if you make a mistake (Ctrl/Cmd + Z).
8) Preview & set speed
Press Play ▶ to watch it.
Use the Speed control (frames per second).
8–12 FPS is a good starting point for school projects.
9) Fix common problems
Flicker? You changed the background by accident—go back and keep background identical, or re-duplicate a clean frame.
Too fast? Lower the speed (fewer FPS).
Too slow? Raise the speed or remove extra frames.
Jumpy movement? Make smaller moves between frames.
10) Add a looping trick (optional)
Make your last frame match your first for a smooth loop (e.g., hand returns to the starting position).
11) Export/Download
Click Download/Export.
Choose GIF (works in Slides, Docs, and most sites).
Name your file clearly: Lastname_ProjectName.gif.
If video export is available on your device, you can also choose MP4 video. GIF is the safest default.

Quick Student Checklist

Background drawn on Frame 1
Used duplicate for every new frame
Only small moves each frame
8–20 frames total
Speed set to 8–12 FPS
Title added with Text tool
Exported as GIF and named correctly

Click on the image to go to the Padlet and then answer the question.

Next, complete this word search:

If you Finish Early, choose from these options:

Strand: Creative Communicator
Standard: 6.b. create original works or responsibly repurpose or remix digital resources into new creations.

I Can Statements:
I can create an original digital animation that tells a short story or shows an idea using my own drawings and creativity.
I can use digital tools responsibly by only including artwork and media that I created or that are free for me to use.
I can remix or build on existing digital ideas to make something new that shows my own perspective or imagination.
I can plan and organize my animation frames to communicate my message clearly and creatively.
I can save, share, and present my animation in a format that others can view and enjoy responsibly online or in class.