Shadow puppets - 2nd grade

    We started by watching a few youTube videos of shadow puppet shows. Then I give them scissors, black paper, tape and a strong light source. Naturally, the kids began exploring what types of cuts needed to be made to properly detail their figures. 

Notice, instead of drawing the spots on the moon, the child cut out holes. 

Allowing the students the time to create their own stories is incredibly important for buy-in, behavior management and to increase the meaningfulness of the final work to the child. 

Mr. Tony is a high schooler who comes to assist in the room. 

Naturally, they also begin to understand that there is a relationship between the light and the distance between the puppet and the wall that matters for both size and clarity. Learning these things instinctually is much more powerful than being TOLD these things. Students might not be able to describe yet this intricate relationship, yet, they know a relationship exists. 

Next we made shadow puppet theaters so as to allow students to begin exploring making stories more individually and in small groups. We used a box and cut holes on each side for the arms to go through and a hole in the back for the lamp. 






Although the class was super loud for this period, it was important again to give them time to explore making up stories and build on each others' ideas. I allowed two classes of just this, the students playing with their puppets in the puppet theatre and debating and arguing why their renditions were relevant or important to the story. 







Next, students were asked to draw or write their stories. Some students could not get to agree on one narrative and were allowed to break off and create their own stories