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Puppeteer Engineer

Combine various recycled materials together to become a puppeteer engineer.

Big Idea
Creating unique puppets can be a fun way for children to gain confidence, practice language skills and explore social and emotional themes.

Follow video instructions to make your very own sock and paper bag puppets with Cori.

Download PDF

Materials

  • Used cardboard boxes/cereal boxes
  • Lost socks
  • Brown paper grocery bag/ lunch bag
  • Scissors (can be sharp!)
  • Glue/tape
  • Markers
  • Other recycled materials, like buttons, lids, fabric, etc.

Setup
Find a clean space to work, either a table or floor area and cover it with newspaper. One may want access to a sink to wash hands to get ready for the project.

Directions

    1) There are so many different ways you can make a puppet out of recycled materials and be a Puppeteer Engineer.
    2) To start you can make a puppet out of a small box. Use markers, tape, and scissors to transform the small box into a unique character. Be careful when using scissors because it is a sharp object and one is using their fine motor skills to carefully cut.
    3) If you have a lost sock that doesn’t have a match and an adult has preapproved it, use for a puppet, then transform it into another character. One can do this by adding marker, cutting holes, gluing or taping arms or legs on it.
    4) On the other hand, you can try making a paper bag puppet using either a large brown grocery bag or a lunch bag. Create a hand puppet by sticking your hand into the lunch bag and imagine the bottom of the bag is the face of the puppet. You then can make it talk my moving your fingers up and down pointing and flexing them. Or even try using a large brown grocery bag and cut eyes and color the outside then put it over your head and you become another unique character.
    5) Then become a Puppeteer Engineer and put on a show. One can act out their feelings, thoughts, actions or role-play. Explore yourself in a unique new way and always remember to have fun!

Investigation Questions:

    Q. Can you tell me about your unique puppet?
    Q. What is a recyclable?
    A. A recyclable is something that can be reused to make artwork. For example, newspapers, bottles, cardboard boxes.
    Q. What type of recyclables did you use to make your puppet?
    Q. How does your puppet move and speak?
    Q. What story can you tell with your puppet?

Learning Standards

1.A Demonstrate understanding through age-appropriate responses.
Children will begin to follow directions and use sequential steps to create a puppet.

11.A Develop beginning skills in the use of science and engineering practices, such as observing, asking questions, solving problems, and drawing conclusions.
Children will use the materials provided and using it to invent, design, and build a puppet.

25. A Investigate, begin to appreciate, and participate in the arts.
Children will explore, create, and imagine stories with puppets.

15.B Explore issues of limited resources in the early childhood environment and world.
Children will learn how to find recycled and reuse items to use as supplies for this project.

Vocabulary

Puppeteer: A person that creates and performs with puppets

Engineer: Someone who designs, builds or constructs

Recycle: To extract useful materials from garbage or waste

Recyclable: Fit for or capable of being recycled

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