Input
- Materials
- LEGO, Dobble, building blocks, pencils, erasers, chart paper, scissors, straws, tape, a white blanket, torch, laptop, projector and screen.
- Time
- 2 hours
Activity
Nine children joined us this week, as schools were holding make-up classes. 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, watched a video about the history of shadow puppetry in China and 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 while a facilitator held 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.
Output
- 10 Shadow puppets
Outcome
- Communication
- Teamwork
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)
Learnings
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.