Project based learning creatively incorporates all areas of study, both academically and artistically, into one collaborative, comprehensive project that fosters teamwork. The production of a claymation movie, falls under the umbrella of project based learning. Throughout the claymation process, children learn to: collaborate with one another, perform research, build authentic sets, design and create clothing, write scripts, complete storyboards, play music and/or select soundtracks, build and animate armature figures, organize and plan a project and complete an entire production cycle.

ClaymationForCurriculum is a blog that instructs teachers on both how to create a claymation film and how to incorporate claymation filmmaking into academic curriculum. The blog provides teachers with a detailed resource for implementation of this project and also provides a space for teachers to network and share.

Background
Traditionally, elementary school courses are taught in subject area segments such as: Art, English, History, Math, Music, Science, etc. There is a dividing line between subjects, and there is an even further separation between academic and fine arts areas of study. Although a clear-cut division can be useful in regard to having a concise teaching strategy, it can also lead to boredom and the inability for students to see how all areas of study are integrated and applicable to the learning and creating process. The creation of a claymation movie is a comprehensive learning approach that combines both academic and artistic disciplines into one project.



Audience
ClaymationForCurriculum is targeted for teachers, grades 3-8. Ideally, teachers with a variety of backgrounds can utilize this blog for a number of different reasons. Beginners to the claymation process may visit the blog to watch tutorials and download lesson plans that other teachers have posted. More experienced users may primarily visit the blog to upload materials, and search other teachers’ blog posts for project ideas.