How to make a class puppet show!

Each December in my classroom, I do a class play. We start on it right at the beginning of November by writing the script with my class. This is a student lead play, so they pick the plot, their characters, and write their lines. They also make the sets and costumes. If you want to watch a video about making a class play, I have one here: 

This year, I decided to put on a puppet show with my students! I have never done this before, but it is a really cool idea. 

The students first picked the plot and setting, which is finding friends in the Amazon rainforest. We will do this one as a whole class, but I will also have students do small group puppet shows, as well. 

How to make the setting: 

I used trifold boards that are typically used for science fairs to make the setting. That way the students can stand behind them, but also be able to show their puppet from each layer of the rainforest. Putting three tall makes it quite tall, but also it was very easy to put together. I also taped the middle ones to the sides, so it is one large piece. We used acrylic paint and we will add felt leaves and make a few animals to put on either side of where animals live in the rainforest. 

How to make a puppet: 

I bought these little hand puppets from the internet and then used felt to make the animals. We used tacky glue to attach them. A parent actually came in to help make these with the students and they turned out so nice! Here is a picture of a few of them:

How to write the script: 

Sit in a whole group and help the students decide the plot and their animals. I would let the students dictate their lines and then you can type while they say. It takes a while, but it is a nice activity for the whole class to do. I also have the older third graders by the main characters and go down from there. That way everyone can remember their lines (which is actually pretty easy for the students to remember their lines, so don’t worry about that). 

How to practice: 

We do some many readings of the script during morning read aloud (usually skipping the book for this time to practice for the play). Then after we know it well, we will say it without the script, and finally go on the stage to practice. 

I hope you have fun with your class puppet show! Watch the video here: