Form 1’s annual DT Puppet Making event returned this year with an even bigger explosion of felt, fur, sequins and other embellishments. The New Room was transformed into a textiles and construction workshop as the children brought their characters to life and learnt how to make a working rod puppet.
During the workshop, Head of DT, Miss Laura Kohler, used her own handmade puppet magicians, princesses and monsters to show how each character can be created from a simple recycled milk bottle. The children were shown how to make the basic moving mouth and add the rod for the stem of the puppet. Other crucial DT techniques included screwing the eyes and hooks to corks to make the articulated joints and making the cross bar for a marionette. Each child had their own booklet for recording the different stages of bringing their puppet to life. Once they had collected their kit they began the direct making process and old wool, scraps of material and sparkly ribbons gradually became pirates, aliens, dragons and other incredible creations with their own stories to tell.
At the end of Puppet Day, the children were encouraged to create a short play in groups which they performed in front of their friends. The children brought their puppets’ characters to life further with scriptwriting in groups and there was also time to offer reflections and to evaluate the puppetry process.
