Making a puppet

Before starting the activity, the students will talk about how the puppets and joints work but also about their role. The history of puppets dates back to ancient Greece; they are traditionally used to tell stories in the form of plays. Punchinello (Polichinelle), a character from the Commedia dell'arte (15th century), is also one of the most famous puppets (burattini theater).

Session 1: Identifying the various joints of the body Using a drawn silhouette, the students will place and identify the main joints of the human body. The teacher can suggest group work and provide each group with an articulated puppet mounted on an iron rod.

Session 2: Creation of the puppet, cutting out the pieces The teacher will offer several puppet templates (articulated with brads). The youngest students will cut out the various pieces of the puppet on a photocopied sheet; others can trace templates and older children will be able to make the various parts themselves by examining the models provided.

Session 3: Creation of the puppet, fitting the brads and strings The students will assemble their puppet using brads. Older children will add strings to link the joints.

Session 4: Operating the puppets — The students will then operate their puppet. Why not suggest that small groups imagine skits with the puppets and then perform them in front of their own class or the neighbouring classes. Don't forget! The child puppeteers must be hidden to create the illusion that the puppets are alive and moving by themselves.

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