SUBJECT AREA/ SUGGESTED GRADE LEVEL: Historical Figure Puppets
Social Studies and Visual Arts and Dramatic Arts-4th Grade
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Major Art Modality Utilized: Visual Art and Dramatic Art
Standards Addressed in
this Lesson:
SS4H5 The student will
analyze the challenges
faced by the new nation.
b. Identify the major
leaders of the
Constitutional Convention
(James Madison and
Benjamin Franklin) and
describe the major issues
they debated, including
the rights of states, the
Great Compromise, and
slavery.
SS4H4 The student will
explain the causes,
events, and results of the
American Revolution. d.
Describe key individuals in
the American Revolution
with emphasis on King
George III, George
Washington, Benjamin
Franklin, Thomas
Jefferson, Benedict
Arnold, Patrick Henry, and
John Adams.
Multiple Intelligences Addressed: Visual/spatial, Verbal Linguistic, Interpersonal???
Lesson Abstract: Students will create a Soft Sculpture Sock Puppet of an historical figure
studied in Social Studies. The students will speak in character as their historical figure.
Materials Needed: old clean socks, stuffing, bamboo skewers or chopsticks, buttons,
google eyes, yarn, cloth remnants, stapler, hot glue gun and glue sticks, Historical Figures
List, Historical Figures worksheet, Soft Sculpture Sock Puppet directions, pencils
Procedures:
Students will choose an historical figure from their Social Studies. They will complete a
worksheet which includes a sketch of their Historical Figure.
Students will create a Soft Sculpture Sock Puppet.
The teacher will interview some of the students’ puppets. Students will form small groups
and interview one another in the Speed Dating style or the Wax Museum style.
Assessment: Did the student create a puppet of an Historical Figure form the list? Did the
student complete the worksheet? Did the student get in character with their puppet?
Resources/ Links:
Website resource- http://www.americaslibrary.gov/aa/index.php
BrainPop- http://www.brainpop.com/
SUBJECT AREA/ SUGGESTED GRADE LEVEL: Historical Figure Puppets
Social Studies and Visual Arts and Dramatic Arts-4th Grade
Standards Addressed in
this Lesson:
SS4H2 The student will
describe European
exploration in North
America.
a. Describe the reasons
for, obstacles to, and
accomplishments of the
Spanish, French, and
English explorations of
John Cabot, Vasco Núñez
de Balboa, Juan Ponce de
León, Christopher
Columbus, Henry Hudson,
and Jacques Cartier.
SS4H7 The student will
examine the main ideas of
the abolitionist and
suffrage movements.
a. Discuss the biographies
of Harriet Tubman and
Elizabeth Cady Stanton. b.
Explain the significance of
Sojourner Truth to the
abolition and suffrage
movements.
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4th Grade Social Studies Historical Figures List
James Madison
Benjamin Franklin
King George III
George Washington
Benjamin Franklin
Thomas Jefferson
Benedict Arnold
Patrick Henry
John Adams
John Cabot
Vasco Núñez de Balboa
Juan Ponce de León
Christopher Columbus
Henry Hudson,
Jacques Cartier.
Harriet Tubman
Elizabeth Cady Stanton.
Sojourner Truth
SUBJECT AREA/ SUGGESTED GRADE LEVEL: Historical Figure Puppets
Social Studies and Visual Arts and Dramatic Arts-4th Grade
Soft Sculpture Sock Puppets
Standards Addressed in
this Lesson:
VA4PR.1 Creates
artworks based on
personal experience and
selected themes.
b. Makes design decisions
as the result of conscious,
thoughtful planning and
choices.
e. Creates
representational art works
from direct observation
(e.g., landscape, still life,
portrait.)
VA4PR.3 Understands
and applies media,
techniques, and processes
of three-dimensional
works of art (ceramics,
sculpture, crafts, and
mixed-media) using tools
and materials in a safe
and appropriate manner to
develop skills.
c. Creates sculpture/3dimensional form using
selected
method/technique (e.g.,
papier-mâché, paper
sculpture, assemblage,
found object sculpture).
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SOFT SCULPTURE SOCK PUPPET
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Materials:
1 sock (new or used)
Polyfill stuffing~ 2 oz. per puppet
1 ¼ x 12” dowel
1 1/16 x 12” dowel
1 14 x 16” piece of cloth
Yarn or fake fur
Odd and ends:felt, foam, buttons, notions, etc.
Aleene’s Tacky Glue
Tools:
Low-temp hot glue gun and glue (use with caution and close supervision)
Scissors for fabric and paper
Pencils
Stapler
Needle and thread
Making Your Soft Sculpture Puppet
•
Select sock. Remember this will be the color of your puppet’s face.
Stuff the sock with the polyfill stuffing. Dip dowel into glue, insert into
far end of sock. Tie sock shut with yarn.
•
Pull or pinch a nose shape. Staple the nose into place
(or stitch with needle and thread). Staple (or stitch)
above nose to create a brow line.
•
Create the eye design, using 2 different colors and shapes. Glue the shapes on after experimenting with their
placement.
•
Add a mouth and if desired ears. You can add lips, teeth fangs, etc…
•
Make a wig from fake fur or yarn. Staple or glue onto puppet. Add eyebrows, beard, hats, etc…
•
Select fabric for costume. Cut a t-shirt shape.
Cut a small slit in the middle. Dress your puppet and glue or staple
the costume at the neck. Add pants or skirt if desired. Don’t forget
to decorate costume with pockets or collars or trim.
•
Make hands from felt, foam, or paper (reinforced felt works great). Staple hands onto ends of arms of costume. Then
glue a rod onto one arm at the wrist.
•
Have fun bringing your puppet to life!
Adapted and used with permission from the Oregon Puppet Theater’s Making and Using Puppets in the Primary Grades
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Historical Figures Worksheet
Historical Figures Worksheet
4th Grade
__________________________________
____________________________________
student name
homeroom
Historical Figure’s Name:
_________________________________________________
Born and died: ___________________________________________________
Where did he/she live? _____________________________________________
What is she/he well known for? ______________________________________
________________________________________________________________
Name some members of their family. __________________________________
________________________________________________________________
What kind of school did she/he go to? __________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
If you could ask her/him one question what would it be? ____________________
_________________________________________________________________
If he/she lived in your town today, what would he/she do to become famous? ____
__________________________________________________________________
List one or more famous quotes. ________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
Was he/she considered rich or poor? _____________________________________
Sketch a portrait of your figure.