Kids Love Animals! Using Puppets To Keep Read Alouds Exciting
Help me give my students detailed and realistic animal puppets to use during online read alouds, keeping students engaged and excited about their study of animals!
During this chaotic time, I am seeing the inequities within my school community boldly highlighted. The resource gaps are increasingly clear as families have to decide between childcare and a paycheck, between reducing health risk and paying rent. Being able to buy school supplies or books is the last thing on families’ minds. As this situation will almost surely become more dire for many families within my school community, I would love to provide families with some positive news to put smiles on their faces.
Almost all of my students did not have computers or Internet at home, so it has been a mad dash trying to get laptops into the hands of all my students so they can continue some kind of learning at home.
My colleagues and I are working tirelessly to provide not just excellent remote instructional support, but loving and responsive social and emotional support for whole children and whole families. We will continue to try to find solutions to make sure that the school community we love continues to thrive for our families and our entire staff.
My Project
Prior to our school closure students were studying animals; they were having a blast learning about different animal habitats, characteristics, and diets. I am now looking for ways to get students excited about online storytimes and continue the learning that was taking place before our school building closed. My students want action and excitement!
I believe that showing my students realistic animal puppets and using them to tell stories online will keep my students engaged and inspired.
I will record myself talking to the puppets, using them to nurture kids' natural love for animals. Students will see me interacting with the puppets, telling an informative story each day and sharing facts about that specific animal. It gives my students a chance to feel connected to what was happening in the classroom before they had to suddenly leave. They can continue to work on their animal projects at home while I show them what these animals actually look like. Using puppets brings stories to life, creating an enriched, fun-filled learning experience that is even more meaningful for children. Puppets help children to be inventive and artistic, and they allow for children’s visions and inspirations to come to life. The best part is that I can continue to use these once we return to the classroom!
Nearly all students from low‑income households
Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more
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