The World of Puppets

Reviewed By Linda Kay

The World of Puppets

http://www.itdc.sbcss.k12.ca.us/curriculum/puppetry.html

Storytelling is a wonderful art that can be aided by the use of puppets; therefore, teaching students how to make puppets can aid them in their storytelling quest. The World of Puppets is a webquest developed by Cathy Jennings, Valley of Enchantment Elementary, Rim of the World School District through the Community Coalition Technology Project formerly known as the Instructional Technology Development Consortium. This project was designed to aid teachers in combining technology such as web quests, etc. with their curriculum areas. Not only was this developed by a teacher but it was edited by two other teachers, Cynthia Robinson and Noelle Kreider, as part of the project. All three of these individuals can be reached as their e-mail addresses are attached. The webquest itself is cleverly designed by letting the browser take “trips” to different destinations around the world to places where puppets are used. First, you start in Japan where you can learn about the art of bunraku puppetry. Over a dozen links are provided which range from explanations of this type of puppetry to how to make this type of puppet. Interestingly, social studies teachers could use this portion of the webquest to supplement materials when learning about Japan. The next destination on this “trip” is Vietnam. At this juncture you can explore the art of water puppetry. Most of the links work, but there were two that required re-routing. Also, there are no instructions about making this type of puppet. The final destination on the “trip” is the islands of Java and Bali in Indonesia. In this part of the world, shadow puppetry is the kind that is used. However, most of the links for this part of the quest do not work. There are 12 links and only 3 of them worked. However, it was enough to give the browser a very brief overview of what type of puppetry was involved. The next portion of the webquest is a 2-3 week lesson plan with additional resources for a language arts, social studies teacher, visual-performing arts teacher or others who would like to cover puppetry in their classes. The lesson plan is broad so anyone could adapt it for his or her classroom. The actual daily lesson plans are specific and helpful. Additionally, closing activities are given to make the information relevant to the students and the particular subject the teacher is instructing about at the time. Finally, extensions are offered which include the link to a site where students can make puppets online and print them for their own puppet show at home. The site does not have a date, but obviously from the links not working, it was created some time ago without updates. However, the site offers a new side to sock or paper sack puppets that are seen in many classrooms. By having students look into other cultures, they get the opportunity to explore new aspects of the world in which they live.