Handout of Carla Mae L.
Valdez (BEED III-6)
Daraga Community College (DcomC)
Daraga, Albay
HANDOUT
Course Code: MC English 102
Course Description: Teaching English in the Elementary Grade through
Literature
Topic: Puppets and Marionettes
Discussant: Carla Mae L. Valdez
Professor: Dr. Salve R. Keh
Term: First Semester
Year/Block: Third Year/ Block 6
Day/Time: Saturday (9:30- 12:30)
Lesson: Lesson 5 (pages 111-113)
Date: December 17, 2020
Handout of Carla Mae L. Valdez (BEED III-6)
PUPPETS AND MARIONETTES
-Report of Carla Mae L. Valdez -
What are Puppets?
Puppets are figures usually in imitation of life under an operator’s control used for dramatic
presentation.
A puppet is a doll manipulated by the performer so that it will act as a character in a play.
There are different types of puppets that can be made and the stories can be adapted to the use of
puppets.
The word “puppet” refers to two types of hand-manipulated, artificial figures: (1) puppet, a doll
manipulated directly by hand and (2) marionettes, a doll manipulated by strings.
Puppets may be classified into sticks puppets, shadow puppets or silhouettes, finger and hand
puppets.
Stick puppets are flat cut out painted to represent the desired character and attached
to a stick or rod. The children hold the stick puppets and hide behind a screen. The
action is regulated by the children who are hidden and only the puppet can be seen by
the audience.
Shadow puppets or silhouettes are flat, black cut outs from card board paper. Each
cut out represents a character in the story or scenes from lighted screen of muslin
paper or cloth.
Handout of Carla Mae L. Valdez (BEED III-6)
Finger and hand puppets are the easiest type to make, though not to operate. They
can be made from socks or grocery bag or old pieces of cloth shaped like a head. The
puppets portraying the characters of the story are slipped over the finger or hand.
String puppets are often called marionettes. The word is for French origin. A
marionette is a figure moveable limbs which are manipulated by strings, wires or
rods from above. They are usually manufactured by artists, painters and sculptors
because they are difficult to prepare. String puppets perform their parts on a stage.
This may be boxlike structure, two feet by two feet with depth of about one and half
feet, with no cover at the top. It is supported by wooden legs of about three or four
feet high. There are no sides but, but it has a background longer than the front. The
string puppets are manipulated by the performer hidden behind the stage by a curtain.
When there are several marionettes, there should be more performers or players.
Playing or manipulating marionettes requires training in order that one can make the
figures move in accordance with the story. The marionettes are dressed with a
costume of the character they are supposed to portray. Dark thread is used to
manipulate the figures so that it cannot be seen by the audience.
The puppets can be controlled below or at the level with the operator or from the back or the side
of the stage, depending on the type of puppet. The professional puppet show requires all the skill
and coordination of a large theater performance. The person who pulls the string must have many
voices and the ability t make the movements of the puppet seen natural or exaggerated.
Handout of Carla Mae L. Valdez (BEED III-6)
VALUES OF PUPPETS AND MARIONETTES
1. Cooperation is developed among members of the class.
2. Shy and slow learner can make significant contribution.
3. A great deal of out-of-class room work is done.
4. Interests in reading are developed.
5. Oral and written forms of expressions are improved.
6. Develop artistic and creative skills.
7. Develop manipulative skills.
ADVANTAGE OF PUPPETS
1. Puppets provide opportunities for many participants.
2. It does not involve too much exercise.
3. It requires little in a way of costumes, stage props and equipment.
4. Pupils may engage in every aspect of the production of the puppet or marionette play.
5. There is audience involvement and participation.
PRINCIPLES IN USING A PUPPET PLAY FOR TEACHING
1. Do not use puppets for stories or plays that can be done just as well or better by other dramatic
means.
2. Puppet plays must be based on action rather than on words.
3. Puppet plays must be short.
4. Puppet plays must be adapted to a particular audience.
5. Music and dancing can be made part of the puppet show.
6. The hand puppet can be the narrator or storyteller.
Puppets need not to be sophisticated to be effective. Puppets are not limited to a particular age group. It
can be used by the teacher to make her class more alive and arouse the children’s interest in literature.
Some stories that are good for puppets are:
“Sleeping Beauty”
“Jack and the Beanstalk”
“Rapunzel”
“Thumbelina”
“The Emperor’s New Clothes”
Handout of Carla Mae L. Valdez (BEED III-6)
HOW TO MAKE PUPPETS
Making Hand Puppet: Paper Bag
Puppet Materials:
Grocery paper bag, watercolor, paint or crayons, scraps of cloth, and other decorative
materials as straw, grass, etc.
Direction:
Draw an outline of the figure or character of the story on the paper bag, making mouth
opening fall on the fold of the bag. Color the figure or paste torn paper as the clothing of
the character or dress him in scraps of cloth.
Making Sock Puppet
Materials:
Old sock, pieces of cotton or cloth.
Direction:
Stuff sock with cotton or cloth. Sew on strips of cloth for ears. Sew on button for features
– eyes, nose, mouth. Add cloth for dress
