Puppets Inspired by Dr. Seuss (Multicultural Lesson)

Puppeteer Liz Ebanks with her cat and latest paper sculpted puppet creation.
Liz Ebanks ©2012

Puppets Inspired by Dr. Seuss
Multicultural Lesson

Written by: Liz Ebanks

National Art Teacher Award Recipient

Liz@RescueTeam.com

"WILL YOU SUCCEED? YES, YOU WILL INDEED.
(98¾% GUARANTEED.)"-Dr. Seuss

"Cat Out of the Bag"
Photo and Puppet: Liz Ebanks ©2012

I love how this teacher demo came together
because, of all the laughs and fond memories
my puppet brought to the stage. 
Inspiration: The loss of a family pet

Welcome back.  Today, I have a very special lesson for you DIY fans that will empower puppeteers of all ages through dramatic play to share in the fun.  Your going to love this art project design team because, its filled with family fun.  My creative solution to introducing cultural diversity and tolerance centers on breaking color barriers for kids in the art studio.  Together we will create the wow factor by putting these wacky puppets together utilizing inexpensive heavy weight 100% recycled construction paper in eight colors.  Now you can create a one of a kind puppet by exploring texture with these insider secrets to rolling, tearing, and cutting paper. Together we will explore the puppet workshop with my step-by-step Teacher Demos.

Join my art students in the gallery to discover how they tackled diversity with teamwork and respect at this link to 
"Kid's Puppet Exhibit:"
http://www.artsonia.com/museum/gallery.asp?exhibit=510010

Thank you, for joining me on my last blog post entitled,
"DIY Oragami Paper Crafts with Collage Paper:" http://lizebanksartgallery.blogspot.com/2012/03/origami-boxes-with-collage-paper.html

Now, let's get started thinking outside of the box with our fun and easy colorful puppets.  I can't wait to see what you come up with so join me on facebook to share your puppet.

AS COMMUNITY LEADERS IN TOLERANCE:

Young papercrafters will model puppets in the style of one of the Greatest Children's Book Illustrators and Authors Dr. Seuss (Theodore Geisel.) Simulate Seuss Sculptures best known as Unorthodoxed Taxidermy during their puppet-making adventure. Gain an understanding of the relationship between different cultures use of puppets and their visual arts. Develop group skills, working together in buddy pairs and small groups based on abilities to assemble wildly wacky multi-colored puppets. Puppeteers will explore: subtraction, substitution, addition, and manipulation. Practice reading out loud "Oh The Places You'll Go" while sharing their handcrafted puppets with the community. Practice writing captions and creating background scenery for their Puppet Theater at the Carrollwood Cultural Center. Through dramatic play the entertainers will make friends in all colors and share their stories. This talented cast of characters will explore tolerance and cultural diversity preparing them for success in the workforce. The puppeters will discuss what makes them special that will help them succeed in the future.

 

DESCRIPTION: By acquiring knowledge of historical and cultural qualities unique to this particular art form students can gain an understanding of how Puppetry reflects a part of Chinese History. Students will design and assemble the armature for a Paper Hand Puppet for their Theater Production. During this process they will also compose and edit captions for their puppets to add to their handcrafted stage backgrounds. The students will be lead through a discussion about "Oh The Places You'll Go" and the Seuss Sculptures. In addition, the puppeteers will take turns reading out loud about how they can succeed from the book.

 

PUPPET SUPPLIES:  

Glue Sticks

Bottles of Glue (work best for attaching eyes)

Heavy Weight Construction Paper in Assorted Colors (No Flesh Tones)

Safety Scissor variety pack (include Lefties)

Pencils

Optional Clothesline and Clothespins to hang artwork

BACKGROUND SCENERY SUPPLIES:

White Drawing Paper

Pastels

Markers

Pencils

Rubber Alligator

Acrylic Paint

Paint Brushes

Water and Cup

Newspaper

Safety Scissors

Glue Sticks

BY STEP TEACHER DEMO

BUILDING THE PUPPET'S ARMATURE (BODY)

1. Puppeters will select a sheet of 8.5" X 11" heavy weight construction paper in their favorite color for the body of the puppet.

Teacher Demo
Puppet Armature
Liz Ebanks ©2012

2. Next, the young puppet designers will fold the construction paper into thirds lengthwise. Being careful to premeasure the width of the puppet's body to be large enough to accommodate the size of their hand to approximate their folds. ( Young children may wish to insert their hand inside the puppet's body to bring it to life.)

3. Create a 1/4 inch seam on the back of the paper that overlaps with a flap.

4. Now, seal the left flap to the right panels edge with the glue stick. Pocket measures11" X 3.5"

5.  While the seam is drying on the new long sleeve  participants will crease the sleeve across the width into quarters.  This will divide the armature of the puppet into approximately 3" x 3.5" sections.

6. Check to make sure the puppet body folds transform the paper into the shape of the letter "M." The "M" shape can be seen if the children place the body armature (sleeve) up on its side.

7. Assign which folded section will become the head, roof of mouth, jaw, and neck. The seam will be on the backside of the puppet.

8. Create ears from triangular pieces of paper. 

9. Attach the ears and mane to the back of the puppet.

 

"Missing You"
Photo and Puppet: Liz Ebanks ©2012

DESIGNING 3-D EYES
1. Artists will draw a round, circle or oval on a different color of paper with a pencil.

2. The participants will cut out the round forms.

Note: Expressive eyes do not have to be exactly the same size or shape.

3. Slice into each cut circle making one linear cut.

4. Using the glue stick create a cone shape out of the round form. Guide the students to design a flap and seam on each round form to paste together. This is how students transform a flat round eye into a cone to hold the puppet's iris.

5. Cut out and glue the puppet's iris into the cone. This is best done in a different color. Remember, each eye can be a unique shape and size.

6. Attach the eyes with a bottle of glue more easily than with paste to the top folded part of the puppet.

HAIR:  Students will explore tearing, curling, cutting, ripping, and wadding up paper to create different hair textures for their puppet

CAPTIONS: The entertainers will select one word from the class word cloud to include in composing a short sentence for their caption. The diverse learners will identify and recognize a vocabulary word appropriate to their reading level. Completed captions will be attached to background scenes for the Puppet Theater.

If you enjoyed this post you may like this link to my "Puppets Inspired by Dr. Seuss" Discussion Questions: (Check back)

As a National Art Teacher Award Recipient, my classes are perfect for camps, birthdays, schools, and special events. For more information on registering for my Award Winning Art Workshops- Tampa. Email: Liz@RescueTeam.com

"Miss Independence"
Custom Painted Stilettos
Liz Ebanks ©2012
Email: Liz@RescueTeam.com

Thanks, for joining us in the Upcycling Studio where we give new life and repurpose objects in new ways through art. By Upcycling we reduce waste headed to the redemption center and trim supply costs. As artists we focus on community involvement in fostering the growth of the ecosystem.