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A group of children and an adult are gathered in a room for a shadow puppet show. A white sheet is stretched across the space, with a bright circular light projected onto it, casting the silhouettes of hands holding cutout shapes. Several children sit on green mats on the floor, watching the screen, while one child holds a small cutout figure. The adult stands at the right side of the sheet, holding it up. Other children are seated behind the screen, manipulating the puppets.
  • 9 took part
  • 2 facilitators

Saturday 26 September 2026

Shadows, stories and a beat

Facilitated by a facilitator

What the work needed: people, time, money, space and materials.
What went in
LEGO, Dobble, building blocks, pencils, erasers, chart paper, scissors, straws, tape, a white blanket, torch, laptop, projector and screen.
Time
2 hours

What was done with those inputs, step by step.

This week, schools were holding make-up classes, so nine children joined us. We began with LEGO, Dobble and building blocks. When the children asked to try body percussion, we set aside the planned reading activity and made a rhythm to "We Will Rock You".

We then explored what causes shadows. We watched a video about the history of shadow puppetry in China. We connected it to traditions in Kerala. Using materials left from previous sessions, the children made people, houses, a cat, a coconut tree, bees and an ant.

For our theatre, we tied one side of a white blanket to the window, with a facilitator at the other side. A torch lit the puppets from behind, with the audience seated in front. The children worked in teams to create and present three short shadow puppet stories. It was lovely to see them combine their ideas and bring their characters to life.

What the activity directly produced: sessions held, people reached, things made.
  • 10 Shadow puppets

What changed for the people who took part, and what showed it.

The children worked in teams to turn their own characters and ideas into three short stories, then presented them using the puppets and shadows.

(We observed it)

What the team will keep or change next time.

With a smaller group, we could follow the children's interest in body percussion and still make time for the shadow activity. We will check school schedules when planning future Saturday sessions, as make-up classes affected attendance.

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