My residency program has been highlighted at the Morris Arts - Arts Education Showcase
May 2023 and April 2024.

Below you will find the information I shared during my presentation. It will give you an overview of my program and will introduce you to the amazing things my students create and accomplish during an art residency.
Contact me to learn more or to save your space on my schedule for the 2024-2025 school year.
memoryvesselstudio@gmail.com

I teach kids to believe in their ideas.

I give them a platform to tell stories in their own words. I empower them to become creators not just consumers of digital media. I accomplish this by teaching them stop-motion animation.

Imagine that you’re here today to celebrate your students’ creativity and hands-on exploration. We are about to watch their movies in a culminating screening event.    


Let’s have the students tell you about what they have accomplished.

Stop-motion is an accessible medium to tell stories.  I bring all the tech equipment with me to complete the program. Your students think they’re just playing with technology, art-making and having fun, but it’s a more layered learning experience. They’re learning executive functioning & organizational skills. They’re enhancing their writing. And they are learning how to use digital tools, like the ones in their pockets, to share their ideas in a new way.

I’m very proud that every student has the full experience, and although it is no small undertaking, I’m proud that every student authors their own animation.

My role as a teaching artist is to fuel the fire of their ideas and this experience can be impactful in different ways:  

•Shy students gain confidence – teachers frequently pull me aside to share their amazement at a student coming out of their shell.

•Students who don’t consider themselves “artists” quickly learn that simple drawings and the movement take the lead – meaning they are as emersed in artmaking as the rest of their class.

•Students with too many ideas learn ways to edit down and focus.

•ESL students build vocabulary skills.

•Students with learning differences can reach the same result with just a few modifications.   
  
•Older students can create animated reports, reinforcing what they know.

Were you surprised at the math?

So are the students! But, the math behind the animation provides a concrete example of why planning is so important to execute an idea.

This 2-week residency is for 3rd grade and up. My program enhances social and emotional connections  - now more important than ever! Students are engaged in creative conversation and collaboration throughout the process. 

I can’t wait to see and hear the stories your students bring to life. Seeing the excitement on their face when their animation moves for the first time –  is priceless. (And sometimes you can almost hear the click when they get it!)

And of course, they can’t wait to share what they made at their culminating movies screening event.  I will leave you with just a few of their amazing movies.

Visit our Show & Tell page to see more examples!

  • HAVE AN IDEA TO SHARE?

    It all begins with one idea. We all have ideas and we encourage students to listen and give their ideas power. They learn how to brainstorm and capture their ideas and then expand them with supporting details. This is what inspires a unique story that will become their moving animation.

  • EXPANDING AN IDEA INTO A STORY.

    Students walk through the design process one step at a time. We show them how to plan and organize their idea into something exciting. Teachers know students are learning executive functions and expanding their literacy skills — while students just think they are playing with art-making and having fun with technology. Students are always surprised that math will play a key role in their animation.

  • BRING AN IDEA TO LIFE!

    This is the most exciting part! Once they start the ball rolling they can’t wait to bring their story to life. First , students record their story narration. Then, all the planning steps we did together becomes their map. Now they can animate it to tell their story, share an interest or teach and report on something they know. Working In pairs or small groups they create each student’s movie, while collaborating and learning to communicate in new ways.

“I love how the students are working together to discuss their animation plans. It’s great to hear them share all their ideas & collaborate.”

3rd Grade Teacher
North Dover Elementary

“You’re blowing my mind right now … this is so far out of this student’s comfort zone — what he has done is amazing!”

3rd Grade Teacher
North Dover Elementary

“I look forward to this residency each year! My students are so proud of their movies. I love to watch their excitement when they see their animation move for the first time”

4th / 5th grade Teacher
Normandy Park School

Visit our Show & Tell page to see more examples!

We can’t wait to bring our program to your school!

Reach out for information or to schedule our workshops in your school.  

We look forward to collaborating!