Hope Figuero

Fourth-grade students at Erwin Elementary School are "Bringing History to Life with Claymation." Figuero has designed an interactive learning process by adding clay to the Declaration of Independence. The process of claymation involves taking a series of photographs of models made of clay. Between each photo, the model is slightly moved to express full motion when pictures are combined in post-production. After researching the Declaration of Independence, students will be responsible for writing a script that includes key characters and appropriate settings. Thereafter, the students will begin constructing their characters and props out of clay. Markers and construction paper will also be available to create backgrounds for each setting. Students will use digital cameras and upload photos using software designed to produce rich-media presentations. In the final stage the students will record their voices for the characters using Audacity. Combining photographs with audio results in a claymation to share with classmates and parents. Figuero, who lives in Rock Hill, believes that this project is a creative way for students to connect with abstract ideas presented in textbooks.