With the help of Jordan and Henry Holmes Smith, Jessie learned how to turn a shadow monster into a friend. Now it’s your turn! Let’s dive into the magical world of shadow puppetry and create a shadow show featuring Jessie and her shadow monster/friend. Get ready to play with lights and shadows to bring your character to life!
The Art of Shadow Puppetry
K-12 Resource: Activity
Ready to experiment with light and make fun shadows on your wall? Join Jordan and learn how to create a shadow puppet show using light and paper
Project Details
- Grade Level K-5
- Subject Science, Art
- Activity Type Art Making, Writing, Storytelling
About
Learning Objectives
Materials Needed
- Cardboard or cardstock paper
- Scissors
- Shadow Puppet Templates
- Flashlight
- Tape
- Popsicle sticks
- Shadow Puppet Story Worksheet
- Optional: Colored cellophane, wax paper, or tracing paper
Assignment
Play with Shadows and Light
- Cut out a shape from cardboard or cardstock paper, and tape it to a popsicle stick.
- Set up a white background, and grab a flashlight.
- Shine the light onto the white background, and place your shape in front of the light.
- Discuss or think about the following questions:
- What do you see on the white background?
- Why do you think this is happening?
- What happens when you move the shape closer to the light? What happens when you move it away?
- What would happen if you poked a hole in the cardboard or cardstock paper?
Optional: Add some color! Repeat the steps above, but this time, use different colored cellophane. You can also use wax paper or tracing paper to experiment with different shades of light.
Write a Shadow Puppet Story
Use the Shadow Puppet Story Worksheet to write a story about the “shadow monster” featured in Shapes and Shadows. Is it a friendly monster now?
- Include yourself: If you’d like, add yourself to the story! Imagine how you would join the shadow monster on a magical adventure.
- Be creative and have fun! Let your imagination soar as you craft a tale about the shadow monster. Enjoy the process!
Make the Characters
Complete one of the two options below:
Option 1: Design Your Own Characters
- Identify all the characters in your story.
- Outline your characters on cardboard or cardstock paper.
- Cut out the characters along the outlines.
Remember what you learned in the previous step about light and shadows when designing your characters.
Option 2: Use Shadow Puppet Templates
- Choose shadow puppet templates that match your story characters.
- Cut out the templates and trace them onto your cardboard or cardstock paper.
- Cut out the traced shapes to create your characters.
- Tape popsicle sticks to the characters.
Optional: Experiment with colored cellophane to add color based on your understanding of transparency.
Practice Makes Perfect
Time to perform your story for your class or partner. Remember to be a good audience member, and be quiet and respectful to each performer.
Vocabulary
Shadow
A dark image cast on a surface by people or things blocking a light.
Light waves
A type of energy that travels in waves and allows us to see in the dark. Light waves can come from the sun, light bulbs, and fire.
Related Materials
Extensions
- Research shadow puppetry: People have used light and shadows to tell stories for over 2,000 years. Shadow puppetry is practiced worldwide, including in China, Syria, and many Southeast Asian countries. Dive into the history of shadow puppetry. Find out how different cultures use the properties of light to craft captivating stories with shadows. Share your discoveries! Present to your class how shadow puppetry has been a creative way to tell tales through shadows, enhancing your understanding of this ancient and global art form.
- Create another show: Share the history of shadow puppetry using shadow puppetry.
Suggested Modifications
This activity can be done as a class, in groups, or individually.