Theatre "Puppets"

Name of the project: Theatre "Puppets" 

Subjects: Matemaatika, Estonian, Art

Supervising teacher: Valentina Kähar

School: Sillamäe Kindergarten Päikseke

Short description of the project

Introducing theatre- related professions to children. Children produce theatre “Puppets”. They have to think of the story line, make decorations, sell tickets and perform in front of other children and parents.

1. Aim of the project

Give children practical experience in jobs related to theatre – producer, decorator, usher, actor, ticket seller etc

1. Activities

Activity1 Getting to know jobs in the theatre; field trip to town’s theatre “Teine Taevas”

Students’ activities – going on a field trip, meeting the director of the theatre, asking questions and seeing a play.

Teacher’s activities – organising the field trip and guiding children

Results: Children wish to start their own theatre in kindergarten’s theatre school

Activity 2 Planning and preparations

Student’s activities – deciding on a type of the theatre. It is going to be a puppet theatre. Thinking of the story line and necessary materials. All children get to speak their mind. It id decided who brings what from their homes. Parents help children

Teacher’s activities – guiding and counselling. Providing books with sample puppets.  Results- Children bring necessary things from their homes. Tasks are divided.

Activity 3 Building the theatre

Student’s activities – organising their work places, tools and materials needed, dividing tasks. One group of children makes human puppets, second group makes animals. After some time they carry on together with the rest of decorations.

Teacher’s activities – showing how to make things, guiding

Results – Children build decorations and make puppets.                                                                                                 

Activity 4 The play

Student’s activities - children learn the play and present it to parents and other children.

Teacher’s activities – Guiding and motivating

Results – the play is ready.

3. Project’s curricular links

1. Subject: Mathematics

Implemented knowledge and skills – calculating while building, dividing roles and details.  Methods: revision, calculating.

2. Subject: Estonian

Implemented knowledge and skills: retelling.

Methods: discussion, role play, individual work

3. Subject: Art and crafts

Implemented knowledge and skills: working with different materials.                                                Methods: cutting, sewing, colouring etc.                            

4. Links to real life and the world of work

Children developed initiative to make something themselves and to see the result. Also teamwork and listening skills improved during this project. Children got to do what they liked the most, they could choose if they want to cut or sew or paint. Everyone knew their work was valuable. Real life related activities:

• Setting the sequence of activities and realising one’s responsibility.
• Supporting each other. Children felt motivated and enthusiastic since they felt support from teachers and parents.
• Planning and co-ordinating one’s activities
• Clearer picture of the world of theatre. Some children want to learn more in town’s theatre “Teine Taevas”, others take actively part in kindergarten’s theatre school.
• Children can join different work groups based on their personal preference.
• Puppets are used in kindergarten’s every day life, children continue playing with them.
• Children tried to start something new in terms of theatre.

Theatre school has planned to continue in the future. Also a film was made based on the whole project. This allowed children to evaluate their own work. Photos are also displayed in kindergarten’s webpage and film “Marionettid” is available in YouTube. All children realised their importance and enjoyed theatre.

5. Partners involved

1. Parents

Help with puppets and decorations. Being great audience.

2. Theatre  "Teine Taevas"

Field trip and play for children

3. Other children from kindergarten

Being great audience