Early Cinema: the Zoetrope

This year, the school´s theme and motto is "Lights, Camera, Action!" All year students are participating in different activities to celebrate this theme.This term, students are making their very own zoetropes in class to learn how early animation began before films were invented.

What is a zoetrope?

A zoetrope is a device that was invented before film animation existed. It creates the illusion of a motion in still photos by using pictures that show a motion in many small phases or steps.

Here you can see how the steps students followed to make their zoetrope in class and how it works.

How to Make a Zoetrope

Our Model City

Following the last unit on maps and globes, the two 3rd grade classes are now working together in English and Social Science to learn about cities and towns and how to give directions. The two classes are working to build a large model of a town that we will display in class to practice using maps and giving directions. We still have work to do, but the model is looking fantastic with streets, buildings, and even a park. Below you can see some photos of the construction and later we´ll add photos of the town when it´s finished!

 Building our city.

Our city is finished!