The Story Comes Alive: Creating a Skit or Puppet Show

• Begin class with a review of everything you’ve been discussing in relation to fairytales and folktales. Discuss the process of writing their own versions of the stories: what worked, what was hard, what was easy, what did they like, etc.
• Let the groups meet and finish their stories. Have them read the final product to their own groups and then to you. Make any necessary adjustments.
• Have them edit the finals and then assign one student to type it up at home or in class during free time.
• Groups should begin working on their presentations. Have them decide together if

  they will do a skit or puppet show. Very little money, if any, should be spent in creation of puppets or costumes. They should be able to get creative with offerings in the classroom at school or at home.

TIP: If groups choose to do puppet shows you can easily set up an area using desks pushed together and a large blanket, sheet or other material.

Once groups have selected what they will be doing it’s time to plan.

• Have them write down the steps they will follow to create this production. (Make sure the same person doesn’t do the writing every time and that groups are listening to input of everyone)
• Students should write up a plan of what they will need, how they will get it and what roles each student will play in their skit or puppet show. Each student should have their own copy of this list with their responsibilities highlighted; only one copy should be turned into you for review.

• Students should rehearse the skit or puppet show.
• Give 5-10 minutes at the start of next class to rehearse as well.
• You may need to schedule the next lesson several days off. Discuss with groups how long they need to get together any necessary items for the productions. Remember the goal is the acting part and being involved in this story, not putting on a big show. Very little time should be needed to
  digg

  del.icio.us

  StumbleUpon

  reddit
  get ready for this.

TIP: Students can even use their regular clothes and use school supplies to create a simple costume. For example: A sign with the name of their character can be worn on their clothes; a male student can wear a makeshift bow to show he’s the princess. This should be kept simple.