Community Helper Puppets

Students will explore the important roles that community helpers play in our daily lives. Through class discussions and creative thinking, they will choose a community helper they admire—such as a firefighter, doctor, teacher, or postal worker—and bring that person to life by designing and creating a unique puppet. Students will construct a puppet that reflects their community helper using various artistic techniques, including sketching, cutting, assembling materials, and adding expressive details. This project encourages students to recognize and celebrate the contributions of community helpers while developing their creativity and storytelling skills through the art of puppetry.

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE THIS ENTIRE UNIT PLAN FROM MY TPT! HERE IS A LIST OF WHAT'S INCLUDED:

A 174-page Slide Deck presentation (PPT and Google Slides) covers key concepts, techniques, and directions for each of the 15 class periods.
A 26-page detailed day-by-day unit plan that outlines daily objectives, lesson sequences, and assessment strategies.
Drawing references for eyes and mouth.
Templates for puppet faces and hands.
Sewing patterns for short and long-sleeve puppets.
Step-by-step sewing guides: from getting started to tying a knot and using a running or whip stitch.
Artist statements to help students express their creative processes and choices.
Pictures and videos showcasing teacher and student examples.
Teacher and student rubrics to guide and assess the artistic process and outcomes.
All resources are available in both English and Spanish.

Day One: Brainstorm and sketch

Plaster Setup: Before the class, I recommend covering all work surfaces with newspaper for easy cleanup. Place all materials in a bin on top of the newspaper, and leave the cup of water and pre-cut plaster strips separate. Refer to slide 22 for classroom setup photos.