Workshops & Education
Puppetry is a phenomenally versatile educational tool. Seriously. At its most simplistic it can be used to teach about a form of puppetry itself and we can do workshops on marionettes, shadow puppetry, glove and rod puppets. We also offer a taster demonstration showing a variety of different puppets both simple and complicated, which can be used perhaps to kickstart a project.
But how puppetry can be used in education is limited only by your imagination. It can be used to teach specific subjects and shows and workshops can be tailored to such ends. From shows teaching directly about conservation, or road safety perhaps, to slightly more roundabout uses. I've been a STEM ambassador with MerseySTEM, and always interested in working with puppets to teach science.
Physics, for example. Do you want to give more weight to gravity? Use a marionette. Look into light? Perhaps a shadow show is what you need.
Or perhaps you're a design or technology teacher. Puppet making is an ideal tool to teach about design concepts, mock ups and materials technology.
We offer a variety of puppetry and puppet making workshops from half day tasters through to long term projects, priced reasonably, based on time used and specific materials required. For Key Stages 1 and 2 we have simple making workshops for rod, shadow, string and glove puppets. For Key Stages 3 through to 5 we can can offer workshops in making and performance for all varieties of puppetry. We are very flexible so if you have a specific idea to liven up a lesson, want to give full rein to a long term drama project or anything in between then we're just an email away. Have a look at our galleries and see what we can offer. As an illustration of something a little different, take a look at the sample workshop below, designed for design and technology subjects for the 14+ age group:
Teaching Materials Technology and Design Process Using Puppet Making
Activities -
Puppet Show and Tell:
A simple show and tell introduction to different puppet types, uses and commonly used materials.
Client Roleplay:
Splitting the class into smaller groups I take on the role of a client commissioning a puppet. The groups will be issued with a very limited brief and will be asked to expand upon that brief by asking pertinent questions to the client about the role of the puppet and budget. Once they've acquired all the information they think that they'll need they then embark on a design process to fill the brief. They can then be assessed based on client interaction and how well the brief is filled.
Learning Objectives -
The students will learn:
So if you have an idea for a workshop or want us to come up with something to meet your needs contact us and we'll happily consult with you.
We also teach masterclasses in advanced puppetmaking. A review of a recent one we did on modelling, mould-making and casting can be seen by following this link.
But how puppetry can be used in education is limited only by your imagination. It can be used to teach specific subjects and shows and workshops can be tailored to such ends. From shows teaching directly about conservation, or road safety perhaps, to slightly more roundabout uses. I've been a STEM ambassador with MerseySTEM, and always interested in working with puppets to teach science.
Physics, for example. Do you want to give more weight to gravity? Use a marionette. Look into light? Perhaps a shadow show is what you need.
Or perhaps you're a design or technology teacher. Puppet making is an ideal tool to teach about design concepts, mock ups and materials technology.
We offer a variety of puppetry and puppet making workshops from half day tasters through to long term projects, priced reasonably, based on time used and specific materials required. For Key Stages 1 and 2 we have simple making workshops for rod, shadow, string and glove puppets. For Key Stages 3 through to 5 we can can offer workshops in making and performance for all varieties of puppetry. We are very flexible so if you have a specific idea to liven up a lesson, want to give full rein to a long term drama project or anything in between then we're just an email away. Have a look at our galleries and see what we can offer. As an illustration of something a little different, take a look at the sample workshop below, designed for design and technology subjects for the 14+ age group:
Teaching Materials Technology and Design Process Using Puppet Making
Activities -
Puppet Show and Tell:
A simple show and tell introduction to different puppet types, uses and commonly used materials.
Client Roleplay:
Splitting the class into smaller groups I take on the role of a client commissioning a puppet. The groups will be issued with a very limited brief and will be asked to expand upon that brief by asking pertinent questions to the client about the role of the puppet and budget. Once they've acquired all the information they think that they'll need they then embark on a design process to fill the brief. They can then be assessed based on client interaction and how well the brief is filled.
Learning Objectives -
The students will learn:
- The pros and cons of various different puppet types.
- The variety of materials from which a puppet can be made, their properties and the budget levels needed to use such materials.
- How to interact with a client and to direct pertinent enquiries to them to create a strong working brief.
- Working to a design brief, budget and deadline.
So if you have an idea for a workshop or want us to come up with something to meet your needs contact us and we'll happily consult with you.
We also teach masterclasses in advanced puppetmaking. A review of a recent one we did on modelling, mould-making and casting can be seen by following this link.