graders were challenged to create a shadow puppet based on a
character from a story familiar to them. Students were presented
the problem of creating characters that would look interesting
in shadow, and that operated with at least two movable parts. As
a culminating activity, plans for each student to write and
perform a short script behind a handmade shadow screen were
discussed. A full class period was set aside for performance.
Hiding behind our improvised screen, each student played the
important role of the dhalang for an audience of their peers.
Shadowy figures danced across the illuminated screen in our
darkened classroom and the art of storytelling was brought to
life. Possible characters were brainstormed as a class. Little
Red Riding Hood, the Big Bad Wolf, Pinocchio, and the Cat in the
Hat were among the many ideas. In the end, many students created
characters that had exaggerated or recognizable features.
Students sketched their ideas on Manila paper before
transferring their final character to g