Marionettes

Term: 2 Year: 2010
Marionettes 8
Marionettes 7
Marionettes 6
Marionettes 5
Marionettes 4
Marionettes 3
Marionettes 2
Marionettes 1
Marionettes 12
Marionettes 11
Marionettes 10
Marionettes 9

Traditionally, the highlight of the Year 6 Visual Arts Program is the making of Marionette Puppets. This
program has now been running for over 20 years!

There is always great excitement in the build up to the start of the project, not only amongst the year 6
students, but the whole school. During terms 3 and 4, students complete a major woodwork and threads
and textiles project. They construct, design, decorate and operate a wooden Marionette puppet.

Careful planning, preparation, organisation and time management are a major component of this unit as the
project is developed over 15 weeks. Safe and correct woodwork skills and techniques are revised
including measuring, sanding, joining and finishing. Further skills are developed with the introduction
of a variety of new tools and techniques, including sawing, drilling and wiring. Students are also
required to assist others by demonstrating correct techniques and assisting others when help is
required or as a safety component.

The chosen character is researched during class and home time with plans and sketches being made throughout
the course of the term. There is always much discussion and excitement about which characters are going
to be modelled. Students are encouraged to explore variations of the basic design. Subsequently the
original pattern has been adapted and modified according to individual plans and characteristics of the
puppet. There are a lot of maths processes and problem solving tasks required during the stages of
completion.

Each week the class discusses problems and shares ideas. Possible solutions to difficult tasks encountered
are explored. Particular skills and techniques are then taught and revised at the beginning of each
session.

How To:

Following a design brief and general explanation of construction, students begin by preparing the wood
(sanding). Dressed pine is pre – cut in various sizes with the opportunity for students to cut
some lengths of wood (sawing). Leather strips are measured and cut to length and the project begins!

Students work at their own pace piecing together limbs(drilling and nailing), body parts (leather strips)
and head (string and wire).

Although each student works on an individual puppet, it becomes a whole class activity as students readily
help each other with ideas, share materials and assist with difficult tasks or those requiring a
“safety buddy”.

When the main body and limbs are complete, the facial features are added to the head (polystyrene ball).

Drafting, modelling, painting and sewing skills are required in the final decoration of the Marionette. The
puppet is dressed in keeping with the character chosen. Some students hand or machine – sew materials
whilst others elect to modify costumes from dress ups and toy clothing.

During the project, students are asked to keep a record of their progress through digital photographs and
record their progress in a portfolio. Language and drama are also integrated with this unit of work. At
the completion of the project, students are required to write a Biography describing the
characteristics and features of the Marionette and skills experienced throughout the activities. At the
conclusion of the project, students are invited to parade their marionette on “the cat
walk” before a whole school audience and the school community. They are also given the
opportunity to present their work for viewing in a gallery environment at school.

Jenny Watts
Visual Arts Teacher
Weeden Heights Primary School
Suitable for Year 6