CURRICULUM GUIDE FOR S.C. TEACHER CADET COURSE | EXPERIENCING EDUCATION, TENTH EDITION
Theme I: Experiencing Learning
Unit 1: Awareness and Reflection
b) Practice so that you can get the appropriate height, not too low (not enough of
the puppet will be visible) and not too high (the puppeteer’s hands and arms will
become visible).
c) When a puppet is talking to the other puppets, have the “listening
puppets” turn to face the speaker.
d) When a puppet is doing the talking, animate him with appropriate
movements. Have the other puppets “freeze” (unless there is a purpose
in the script for movement).
e) Practice finger, hand, and wrist movements so that your puppet can be
manipulated in clear, meaningful gestures and actions.
f) Puppeteers’ voices must be clear, audible, appropriate, and distinct.
Choose a voice appropriate for the age, personality, and situation of the
puppet. Speak at a pace that is slower than what you might usually talk;
remember that your audience is hearing your words for the first time, and
they have a lot to absorb. Also, project your voice, keeping in mind that
puppets, stage curtains, children’s clothing, carpeting, etc. all absorb
sound.
g) If your audience laughs, “freeze” your dialogue and action until the
laughter subsides so that you will not inhibit their laughter or cause
them to miss the next part of the dialogue.
h) Type out your final script in large, dark type. Make two or three copies.
Mark or highlight each performer’s parts in different colors so that
passages are easily found and followed. Post these scripts on the back
of the stage. You may also want to provide each performer with a script
to hold during the performance.
i) Practice your puppet shows in your classroom. Invite another group of
students (from study hall, drama class, or a special ed. class) for “dress
rehearsal” and ask them to critique your performances. Try to videotape
your puppet shows so that you can see yourselves perform and “fine
tune” the performances.
j) Make arrangements to visit children’s groups to perform. You can take your
“show on the road” to local day care centers, kindergarten classes,
elementary schools, after-school programs, the children’s wards in
hospitals, and libraries. Older audiences are also appreciative––teachers’
meetings, PTA, adolescent child development or psychology classes,
etc.
k) After your performance, step out from behind your stage and introduce
your puppets and yourselves.
Note: Additional free information about puppets and puppet shows is
available in library books and on Websites.
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