Using Puppets in Education

Benefits of Using Puppets in Education

• Assigning a specific purpose to each puppet enhances clarity for students and aids in comprehension and retention of material.
• Using puppets for a specific purpose, such as storytelling or vocabulary teaching, helps students differentiate and remember each context more effectively.

Choosing the Right Puppet

• Choose a puppet that suits the purpose, considering factors such as behavior management, writing, or math.
• Consider the personality and characteristics of the puppet, such as loud or quiet, when selecting one for a specific purpose.

Introducing Puppets to the Classroom

• Introduce puppets gradually to avoid overwhelming students.
• Get to know the puppet well before introducing it to the students, and spend time building a character.
• Move your lips while speaking as the puppet to help students focus on the puppet.

Tips for Effective Puppet Use

• Focus the puppet's eyes on the student to engage them and maintain attention.
• Use a distinct voice for each puppet, slightly different from your own voice.
• Move only your thumb when speaking with the puppet to maintain eye focus.

Examples of Puppets in the Classroom

• Dr. Hoot: a silent puppet used for behavior management, helping students focus and settle down.
• Squark: a loud puppet used for writing lessons, helping students identify errors and develop editing skills.
• Lazy Susan: a puppet with a voice used for reading lessons, asking comprehension questions and encouraging student engagement.

Additional Tips for Puppet Use

• Use bags to store puppets, reducing distractions and helping students focus on the lesson.
• Consider using puppets for quiet activities, such as revision or one-on-one interactions.
• Use puppets to encourage student participation, such as inviting older students to create their own puppets and teach younger students.

Age Range for Puppet Use

• Puppets can be used effectively with students from kindergarten to grade six.
• The most effective age range for puppet use is kindergarten to grade two, but puppets can be adapted for older grades as well.

Learn about the benefits of using puppets in the classroom, including assigning specific roles to each puppet to enhance student comprehension and retention. Discover how puppets can aid in storytelling, vocabulary, and more.