Storytelling with Puppets

Year Level

Year 2

Duration

15 minutes

Class Size

20 students

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Learning Objectives

Aligned with the Western Australian Curriculum for Year 2 English:

• Literacy: Creating texts Students create short imaginative texts, using spoken language to recount events and express ideas clearly and in sequence.
• Language: Expressive skills and vocabulary Use expressive and engaging language features while speaking to communicate meaning clearly and maintain listener interest.
• Literacy: Listening and responding Listen to others’ stories, demonstrate understanding by sequencing events, and respond with relevant actions and language.

This aligns with curriculum codes for Early Years English reflecting storytelling, oral language skills, and sequencing ideas to build cohesiveness in spoken texts.

Additionally:

• Develops sequencing skills by ordering story events logically.
• Supports expressive language skills by encouraging voice modulation and characterisation in performances.
• Encourages collaborative communication through group performances.

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Curriculum References (Western Australian Curriculum)

• ACELY1660: Use interaction skills, including active listening, speaking clearly, and showing awareness of the listener.
• ACELA1462: Understand that texts consist of words and images (including multimodal texts such as puppet shows).
• ACELT1580: Create short texts to explore ideas and events using students' own words and images.
• ACELY1659: Re-tell familiar literary texts through performance and play.

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Materials Needed

• Simple handmade puppets (made from socks, paper bags, or craft sticks with paper heads) – one puppet per group
• Story prompt cards with simple narrative ideas (e.g., "A lost puppy finds its way home", "A day at the beach")
• Small stage or storytelling corner (optional curtain or backdrop)
• Sequencing cards with pictures representing story events (for support)

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Lesson Structure

1. Introduction and Warm-Up (3 minutes)

• Gather students in a circle.
• Briefly discuss storytelling and puppets as a fun way to tell stories.
• Show a simple puppet and model expressive voice and movements.
• Explain today’s task: working in small groups to act out a short puppet show.

2. Group Formation and Preparation (4 minutes)

• Divide class into 5 groups of 4 students.
• Give each group one puppet and a story prompt card.
• Discuss the story prompt briefly in groups:
• Identify beginning, middle, and end of the story.
• Arrange sequencing cards if needed.
• Encourage students to decide who will operate the puppet and who will narrate.

3. Puppet Show Performances (6 minutes)

• Each group performs their short puppet show (approx. 1 minute per group).
• Encourage groups to use expressive voices, facial expressions, and clear sequencing.
• Teachers prompt with questions if needed:
• "What happens first?" "What happened next?"
• Model expressive language: character voices, emotions.

4. Reflect and Wrap-Up (2 minutes)

• Brief feedback: Praise expressive language and good sequencing.
• Ask students what they enjoyed or learned about storytelling.
• Reinforce how sharing stories helps us understand and have fun together.

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Differentiation and Support

• For students needing extra support: provide simpler story prompts or one-to-one guidance in sequencing.
• Challenge advanced students to add sound effects or alternative endings.
• Use visual aids (sequencing cards) to support understanding of story order.

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Assessment

• Observation checklist during group performances focusing on:
• Use of clear sequencing language (e.g., first, then, finally).
• Expressive voice and actions.
• Engagement and collaboration in group.
• Informal oral reflection at the end to assess understanding of storytelling concepts.

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Extension Ideas

• Create a class puppet theatre corner where students can continue making puppets and create stories.
• Use simple recording devices to capture puppet shows and play them back for awareness and improvement.
• Encourage students to write or draw storybooks based on their puppet shows.

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This lesson plan creatively integrates oral storytelling with expressive language development and sequencing skills in a playful, collaborative environment. It closely aligns with Year 2 Western Australian Curriculum standards for English, emphasising spoken texts and interactive learning through puppetry and drama.