Objective

By the end of this lesson, Tanner will understand the basic mathematical concepts used in animation, including angles, shapes, and transformations. He will apply these concepts to create a simple animated character using his imagination and math skills.

Materials and Prep

• Paper and pencil for sketching
• Graph paper for precise drawing
• Colored pencils or markers for character design
• A ruler for measuring angles and lines
• Access to a computer or tablet for research (optional)

Before the lesson, Tanner should have a basic understanding of shapes (like circles, squares, and triangles) and angles (acute, obtuse, and right angles). A brief review of these concepts may be helpful.

Activities

• Character Design:

  Tanner will create his own animated character. He will start by sketching different shapes on graph paper to form the body, head, and limbs. Encourage him to think about how these shapes can move together.

• Angle Exploration:

  Using a protractor, Tanner will measure and draw angles that represent different poses of his character. For example, he can draw an acute angle for a bent arm and an obtuse angle for a kicking leg.

• Animation Sequence:

  Tanner will create a simple flipbook animation by drawing a series of images on the edges of a stack of paper. Each image will represent a slight change in position, demonstrating how math helps in creating movement.

• Math in Animation Research:

  If time allows, Tanner can research how professional animators use math in their work. He can write down interesting facts or techniques that he finds and share them with you.

Talking Points

• "Did you know that every animated character you see on screen is made up of basic shapes? What shapes can you think of for your character?"
• "Angles are super important in animation! They help us understand how our characters move. Can you think of a time you've seen a character bend or twist?"
• "When animators create movement, they often think about how to break down that movement into smaller parts. Let’s try to do that with your character!"
• "Animation is like a math puzzle. Each frame is a piece that helps complete the picture. What do you think will happen if we change one piece?"
• "Have you ever seen a flipbook? It’s a fun way to see how math and art come together to create movement. Let’s make one!"
• "Researching how math is used in animation can be really exciting! What do you think you might find out about your favorite animated movies or shows?"