Top 3 Tips for Using Puppets in the Classroom

Bold, colorful banner with the text 'TOP 3 TIPS FOR USING PUPPETS IN THE CLASSROOM' in large white and yellow letters on a red background.Bold, colorful banner with the text 'TOP 3 TIPS FOR USING PUPPETS IN THE CLASSROOM' in large white and yellow letters on a red background.

Are you looking to bring some extra magic into your music classroom? Puppets are a fantastic way to engage students, spark creativity, and make learning musical concepts more interactive and fun! Whether they’re helping students find their singing voice, reinforcing steady beat, or bringing a story to life, puppets can transform your lessons in exciting ways. Not sure where to start? Here are three easy tips to make puppets a lively and effective part of your teaching toolbox!

1. Personality

Start by giving your puppet a personality and a name! This helps students connect to them. Then, think about the puppet's traits. How do they behave? What do they sound like? Always try to change your voice when the puppet is speaking or singing so it doesn’t sound just like you, the teacher.

2. Teaching Musical Concepts

Puppets can help teach various musical concepts. For students who may be shy to sing by themselves, puppets are a great tool. Use the puppet in a singing game or an echo song. Puppets can also help teach concepts such as high and low, fast and slow, or steady beat by using the puppet to “bounce” on the beat.

3. Children’s Literature

Puppets are perfect to add to the reading of any children's book, especially books that already include animals! The puppet may be a “Special Guest” that day and help with the reading. If the story has a song to accompany it, the puppet can help lead the song.  Puppets can also incorporate movement in the story, demonstrating how to move like their particular animal!

 
Have lots of fun including puppets in your music classroom!

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Aaron Hansen

Aaron Hansen is an experienced K-6 General Music educator, passionate about bringing music to life through the Orff Approach. He holds both a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree in Music Education from the University of Northern Iowa. Aaron has completed comprehensive Orff Teacher Training, including three levels at the University of St. Thomas and an Orff Master Class. His dedication to the Orff method took him to the Summer International Course at the Orff Institute in Salzburg, Austria. Aaron also shares his expertise by teaching movement at various Orff Teacher Training Courses and conducting workshops for local Orff Chapters.

Visit Aaron's Author Page