Puppetry is an ideal vehicle for reaching many of the outcomes for the arts, especially those related to the development of self awareness and self expression, social and organizational skills, creativity and the use of materials, and cultural literacy. At the same time it is a veritable cross-curriculum art form, incorporating such seemingly diverse elements as social issues and visual arts, music and mathematics, creative language and world history, physics and movement. Through hands-on experience Puppetmongers guide the students to explore and develop their own artistic talents. These workshops develop the students' physical skills, language arts, group dynamics, social skills, story telling abilities and presentation skills.

WE DESIGN WORKSHOPS TO SUIT THE STUDENTS' AND TEACHERS' NEEDS

Below are some of the half day workshops we have developed for primary grades

Flat Paper Puppets. Each student will make a simple two dimensional paper puppet with moving parts and then, working with a small group of other students, they will develop short plays to present to the class. These plays can be based on known stories, books or folk tales. Classroom supplies: construction paper, news print, markers/crayons, 1/2 or 3/4" brass paper fasteners, masking tape, and scissors.

Three Dimensional Paper Puppets. Every student will make a simple three dimensional paper puppet with moving parts, and then working with a small group of other students they will develop short plays to present to the class. These plays can be based on known stories, books or folk tales. Classroom supplies: construction paper, news print, markers/crayons, brass paper fasteners, masking tape, glue, and scissors.

Colour Shadow Puppets. Each student will make a colour transparency figure, perhaps with an articulated part. There will be the opportunity to work with small groups of other students to develop short plays to present to the class. These plays can be based on known stories, books or folk tales. Classroom supplies: white tissue paper, markers, 1/2 or 3/4" brass paper fasteners, scotch and masking tapes, scissors, chart paper and a chart stand, and an overhead projector. Purchased supplies (by artist): clear Mactac and BBQ sticks at about $0.50 per student.

Toy Theatre. Students either work alone or in small groups to turn cardboard boxes into miniature theatres. They choose a story to tell, plan out how best to tell it and then build the sets and make the characters as small puppets manipulated by sticks.
Classroom supplies: scissors, masking tape, white glue, white Bristol board, coloured construction paper, markers. Please get the students to bring in cardboard boxes: either cereal boxes for solo shows, or grocery boxes for group work. Purchased supplies (by artist): bamboo sticks, hot glue sticks for the gun he brings.

WHAT EDUCATORS HAVE SAID OF OUR WORKSHOPS

"Loved it! Very inspiring!" Teacher, Downtown Alternative P.S.

"I just realized that puppetry is all the art forms and language and everything, and that sounds like it should be hard but it isn't, it is fun!" Grade 8 student, Baythorne P.S.

"Excellent! First rate as usual" Dovercourt P.S.

For more information please call us at 416-691-0806 or email