I attended a workshop the other day that showed a teacher teaching spelling by using a puppet. The kids were engaged and absoultely loved it. While I was spending my life savings in a teacher resource store the other day, I came across a cowboy puppet. (My room is a western theme.) Now, I'm wondering how and when I need to use him. My son, who is 8, just loves to watch me practice with my cowboy. HA Do any of you use a puppet? If so, when?
Our last math series came with three puppets. I tried using them in some of the lessons, but my kids paid too much attention to the puppet and missed the concept. Also it was really cumbersome to have the puppet on one hand, chalk in the other hand and then try to manipulate counters or something. Of course it was quite a show! I had their full attention. I stopped using puppets during math. I do use them during language arts, a lot. I have lots of puppets for the stories. Several are store-bought, but some are home-made. I made a puppet set for The Very Hungry Caterpillar and glove puppet for Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed. The kids love them!