Design Technology - Shadow Puppet Theatre (Lower Key Stage 2)

Shadow Puppets is a Design Technology unit of work aimed primarily at children aged 7-9.
Design Brief: Design and make a shadow puppet theatre to tell a story to a group of friends.
The package provides the medium-term plan, six lessons (each lesson has a MS Powerpoint presentation). Any additional resources are provided as PDFs or as Powerpoint Presentations. This unit of work fulfils the National Curriculum (England) Design Technology requirements for this age group in the following strands of learning:
• Structures
• Materials
• Mechanical Systems
• Electrical Systems
This unit of work provides opportunities for children to develop and consolidate their knowledge across several areas of design technology and science. In designing and making a shadow puppet theatre children learn how shadow puppetry is the oldest form of puppet show and is thought to originate from Ancient China over 2000 years ago. Children learn the importance of making models to understand how a product works and how it is made. They make movable puppets applying their knowledge of a simple hinge linkage mechanism. They deepen their knowledge of materials, strengthening structures and electrical systems to create a wooden framed shadow theatre complete with scenery and puppets.

This knowledge, skills and understanding is delivered through the following six sessions:

1. IDEA Task 1: Investigating Shadow Puppets
2. Focused Practical Task 1 – Shadow Theatre Model
3. IDEA Task 2: Understanding Structures & Focused Practical Task 2 – Shadow Theatre Model
4. DME: Theatre Designer
5. DME: Theatre Creator
6. Evaluation