What topic or theme from the central text was included in your puppet show?.Some suggested reflection questions include: Students can journal about how their puppet show reflected central text themes.Students can self-assess their work using the rubric or checklist.Ask students to reflect on the shows orally or with comments on sticky notes in the scripts.If the puppet shows are performed for audiences beyond the class, puppeteers can engage in a Q&A with the audience.It would be especially valuable for students to perform for younger children, who can both learn from and be entertained by the stories. If possible, invite families, other grades and community members. Decide on a location for the puppet show based on your school community, resources and schedule.Provide ample time to rehearse prior to the final performance. Provide students with the assembled supplies and support them in creating puppets and props or provide puppets for students to choose from as characters in their production. Consider providing graphic organizers with story boxes to help students plan out the storyline and parts of script.Whether the storyline is fiction, nonfiction or historical fiction, students should develop the plot, setting and characters, conducting research to inform their script if necessary. Students may choose to set their story in the past or make it contemporary. Have students come up with a story line or scenario and write a script that reflects themes and topics from the central text.Refer to the rubric to define expectations. Share the sample rubric or adapt it into a checklist for students.Instruct them in mapping the steps necessary to complete puppet show scripts. Introduce students to the Do Something Student Planning Guide.As a class, generate topics that connect to central text themes.Determine if students will work together as a class on the puppet show or in small groups on different shows.Gather and collect new or recycled materials students can use for puppets, props and scenery/stage.
Finally, they must use critical thinking skills and innovation to convey what they have learned about the content and anti-bias principles in their production. Students also work together, combining their ideas and taking on different responsibilities within the group. Students write a script and design and create the entire show, making this task both literacy and arts focused. Puppet shows engage students in a variety of smaller creative tasks that make up the larger project.