Something Completely

I’ve been incorporating puppets into my story times and library lessons for quite some time. Not only do the students respond to them, they are also perfect when working with ESL children since they provide a visual prop to reinforce the spoken word. The children help me out the stories, which gives them an opportunity to practice their English.

The folks in charge of the Gifted and Talented department decided to hold a special event for the GT students on the “north side”. Interstate 10 bisects our school district and it’s just as effective as a railroad track for dividing the haves and the have nots. The have nots live north of the freeway, and that’s where I teach.

They wanted someone who could work with the kids on using puppets and somehow my name came up (the fact that I work for the district and wouldn’t have to be “paid” helped too!). I have done many a lesson with puppets but they only last 20 – 30 minutes. This was the first time I’d ever had to plan an hour long program and present it 3x to children whom I didn’t know.

I gathered up some of my favorite stories and puppets and in my uncertainty I brought more than I could use. That turned out to be a good thing since someone an extra 15-20 minutes tacked themselves on to the 2nd and the 3rd programs.

I did Cook-A-Doodle-Doo, complete with all the props – ESL children don’t get the puns without a visual.
My wombat puppet debuted in Diary of a Wombat, we all went on a Bear Hunt and the Spider shared his Diary. Little Bunny Foo-Foo bopped the field mice on the head and the old lady swallowed a fly and many other assorted other creatures.


I had a good time, the kids had a good time – they helped and I hope I’m asked to do it again. This is something I wouldn’t mind doing on a regular basis.