LEARNING PACKS | Shadows Site

Puppet LEARNING PAcks

Created for Grades K – 8 these downloadable packs focus on specific puppets and offer kids an opportunity to learn through hands-on exploration and creative play. Activities are included to introduce the rich histories and cultures of puppetry around the world and to inspire students to share their own stories. They provided you with background information on puppets, past and present. As puppetry is founded in imagination, creativity, and play. We hope that these puppets will inspire and encourage you and your families or students to create your own stories and performances together. Each learning pack is available for download and offers a unique opportunity for a deeper understanding of the traditions and values of puppets around the world.

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OPERA DEI PUPI

SICILIY

Explore the tradition of Sicilian marionette theatre. Through the use of text, visuals, activities, and discussions, you will learn about the history, content, and cultural context of the Opera dei pupi.

PUNCH & JUDY

GREAT BRITAIN

Explore the history of Punch + Judy, a traditional, comedic British puppet show about the escapades of Punch and his wife Judy. Create your own story while learning about audience engagement and improvisation.

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WAYANG KULIT

INDONESIA

Explore the tradition of Javanese Shadow Puppetry; Wayang Kulit. This guide is divided into sections based on themes: Introduction to Javanese History, Puppets and Storytelling, Reading Visual Culture, and the Dhalang.

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OS LUSIADAS

PORTUGAL

Explore the Portugal with a brief history of its puppetry traditions, maritime adventures and colourful culture. Meet the marionettes and their creator Jorge; and ask critical questions about ocean sustainability and environmental responsibility.

RUKADA

SRI LANKA

Explore the Sri Lankan string puppets called Rukada and the history of Sri Lanka. With an emphasis on humour, this guide lets you practice both storytelling and joke telling and even make your own jester hat.

MAMULENGO

BRAZIL

Explore these colourful characters of puppet theatre found in northeastern Brazil. Learn about their history with colonization and marginalized communities, the puppet makers and the shows they put on. Also included is activities for creating your own story book and puppets.

Museum of Anthropology: Shadows, Strings & Other Things: Learning Through Puppetry + Play

The Museum of Anthropolgoy offers a rentable teaching kit for Grades K – 12. This kit introduces the rich histories and cultures of puppetry around the world. Using diverse puppets, resource cards, storybooks and a pop-up stage, students will learn through hands-on exploration and creative play. Activities are included to introduce contemporary puppet makers and performers and to inspire students to share their own stories. This resource is drawn from the 2019 physical MOA exhibition Shadows, Strings and Other Things: The Enchanting Theatre of Puppets.

The Museum of Anthropology also offers other teaching kits, panel exhibits and guided studies for use in the classroom.

Learn more about renting them here