For accessibility information on this site use accesskey "0"
Skip Navigation and go straight to the main content or use use accesskey "s"

Design and Make an Animal Glove Puppet
Woodfield Infant School, Shrewsbury, Shropshire LEA
Submitted by: Rebecca Preece (D&T co-ordinator) and Ruth Youens (class teacher)
ReceptionWhole Class ProjectResistant MaterialsEngineering
KS1Individual ProjectGraphicsCADCAM
KS2Short TaskFoodCatering
KS3Research and InvestigationTextilesFashion
KS4Enterprise activityICTElectronics
Post 16Product AnalysisSystems and ControlStructures
Embedding ICT in DT   

Lesson Context
This KS1 example is based upon Unit 2B Puppets from the DfES/QCA Scheme of Work for D&T. In our long-term plan children undertake this unit in the Spring Term of Year 1, and this was our first attempt! The focus of the unit is textiles, with a link to work undertaken on the properties and characteristics of materials in science during the same term. The key learning objectives for the unit were:

o To learn and practice simple joining techniques
o To use a template as a simple pattern piece
o To mark out, cut and join fabric pieces
o To develop appropriate finishing techniques

The unit built on skills and understanding developed in the Reception class including experience with a range of existing puppets, cutting out shapes and joining materials using simple techniques.


Resources Needed
The materials and components used were:

felt
sequins
embroidery cotton
vivelle
fabric scraps for finishing
paper for template
PVA glue

The tools used were:

scissors
needles



Teacher Preparation
The teacher prepared a series of questions to help the children to explore existing products. She collected some puppets herself and asked the children to bring puppets from home for evaluation. In order to structure the unit, the teacher created a ¡¥How to make a puppet¡¦ leaflet/recording sheet for the children to record their ideas on. This included sections for:

o Drawing and naming different types of puppets
o Drawing of each child's individual puppet
o List of tools, materials and instructions on how to make the puppet
o Description of how the puppet is work and is used

The teacher asked parents if they would come into school to support children during the making stage.


Project Brief
The children were asked to design and make an animal glove puppet.

Design and Manufacture
The unit began with children evaluating a range of existing products, including stick, glove and string puppets, prompted by teacher questioning. Children talked about how they moved, the parts involved, materials and finishing techniques used and which type of puppet they could make themselves. Through focused practical tasks children practised a basic running stitch with using binca and laces including how to start and finish. The teacher also modelled how to make and used a paper template to produce two identical fabric shapes. Children developed their finishing techniques on simple paper plate puppets. In the design and make assignment children decided on the character for their puppet, decided on it size and produced a labelled 2D drawing to work up and communicate their ideas. As a literacy activity, children listed the tools and materials they needed and wrote a sequence of instructions for how they would make their puppet. Having completed their puppets (photograph), the children evaluated them through discussion and wrote about how their puppets work and how they were made.

Image
A range of completed puppets by Year 1 children

Differentiation
The differentiation in this unit was mainly achieved by the variety of outcomes produced by the children. However, during the making stage children received a different amount of support according to their level of fine motor skills - particularly in relation to cutting fabric.

Classroom Organisation
The teacher blocked the time for making the puppets, so that children spent every afternoon of a single week working towards the end product. Parents worked with the children to support them in making the puppet during each of these sessions.

Additional Information
The making skills developed in this unit were subsequently used and consolidated by the children in an art and design activity where they created a whole school Millennium collage.







Link URL: http://www.woodfield.shropshire.sch.uk