Historical Fiction in Action: Bringing Historical Characters to Life with Brush Ninja animation Lesson Plan
Learning Objective
Students will be able to create an animated gif using Brush Ninja and use it to bring a historical character to life in their own original historical fiction story.
Materials
- Access to computers or tablets with internet connectivity
- Brush Ninja website
- Historical fiction books or articles about a chosen historical figure
- Writing materials such as paper and pen/pencil
Procedure
- Introduce the concept of historical fiction by discussing what it is, giving examples, and explaining its purpose.
- Have students choose a historical figure that they are interested in from the selection of books/articles provided or from their own research.
- Instruct students to read about their chosen historical figure and take notes on important facts, events, personality traits, etc.
- Demonstrate how to use Brush Ninja by creating a simple animation with basic tools such as brush strokes and color changes. Provide time for students to explore the tool themselves.
- Instruct students to create an animated gif that brings their chosen historical figure to life by animating important events or actions related to them. Remind them that the animation should reflect the personality traits of their chosen character.
- After completing the animation, instruct students to write a short historical fiction story (~200 words) that incorporates their animated gif into it.
- Allow time for students to share their animations and stories with each other.
Assessment
Assessment will be based on:
- The quality and creativity of the animated gif (20 points)
- The accuracy of historical details represented in both the animation and story (20 points)
- The clarity of writing, including grammar and punctuation (10 points)
Total possible score: 50 points
Extension
For advanced learners or those who finish early:
- Research additional information about their chosen historical figure and incorporate new details into their animations/stories.
- Create more complex animations using advanced tools such as layers and effects.
- Collaborate with a partner to create a joint animation/story that incorporates both of their chosen historical figures.
β Healthy HabitsIndustrial Revolution β
How to animate with Brush Ninja
This video teaches the basics of using Brush Ninja
More English Lessons
Examples of Brush Ninja in Education
I learned about https://brush.ninja from @tonyvincent. Itβs free. Thereβs no sign in. The site saves your last project. Check out the gif I made for an algebra concept. How could you use this tool to help students show what they know?
Tweeted by Estee WilliamsThanks to Mr. Cocek with HRCE TILT for showing 3 Ardley, Anderson, and 3 Markowski how to use Brushninja. Animation is a TON OF FUN!
Tweeted by Ocean View SchoolMy sixth graders enjoyed making their first animated GIFs today using #Brushninja that I learned while attending #NETA19. What fun!
Tweeted by Elisa BeutlerMerci @tina_zita! Never used (or heard of) #BrushNinja before and now I love it!
Tweeted by Mme Honeywell3rd grade cleaning robot animations! They did a lot in 50 minutes today
Tweeted by Pamela ReeceProvide students the tools and freedom to allow their creativity to flow and they will blow you away! This fifth grade Pirate is proof of that using #BrushNinja during our animation journey.
Tweeted by Mrs. Morgan