FROG PUPPET – Shape, Colour, Contrast

Students create a puppet using a painted paper bag and construction paper. They use the puppet to report on their research of the life cycle of a frog.

Required Time

80 Minutes

Grade Level

Kindergarten to Grade 3

Subject

Language Arts
Mathematics
Science
Visual Arts

Vocabulary

circle construction paper contrast curl fold rectangle research semi-circle shape square

Materials

Washable Glue Scissors Paper Lunch Bags Water Containers Paper Towels Index Cards Heavy Weight Paper 7.6 cm x 7.6 cm (3" x 3") 1 piece per student Paint Pencil Construction Paper Glitter Glue

Shop Crayola Products

Construction Paper, 120 Count

Steps

FROG PUPPET – Shape, Colour, Contrast - Step One

Step One

  1. Paint the bag green or whatever colour you want your frog to be.
FROG PUPPET – Shape, Colour, Contrast - Step Two

Step Two

  1. Cut out two large circles for outside of the eyes.
  2. Cut out two smaller circles and place them inside the larger circles.
  3. Use glue to attach both circles together.
  4. Add both eyes to the top of the paper bag. 
FROG PUPPET – Shape, Colour, Contrast - Step Three

Step Three

  1. Use heavier paper to make stencils for the legs. 
  2. Draw two different legs, one for the front and one for the back. 
  3. Cut them out.
FROG PUPPET – Shape, Colour, Contrast - Step Four

Step Four

  1. Use the stencils to trace the four legs onto the construction paper.
FROG PUPPET – Shape, Colour, Contrast - Step Five

Step Five

  1. Put glue on the edge of the legs. 
  2. Glue all four legs in place on the back of the painted side of the bag.
FROG PUPPET – Shape, Colour, Contrast - Step Six

Step Six

  1. Use scrap pieces of construction paper to decorate your frog. Think about using contrasting colours so that your frog will look unique. 
FROG PUPPET – Shape, Colour, Contrast - Step Seven

Step Seven

  1. Cut out a circle a little bigger than the frog's eyes.
  2. Cut the circle in half to make two semi-circles for the eyelids. Try to make both eyelids equal.
FROG PUPPET – Shape, Colour, Contrast - Step Eight

Step Eight

  1. Glue the semi-circles on top of the eyes to make eyelids.
FROG PUPPET – Shape, Colour, Contrast - Step Nine

Step Nine

  1. Draw a tongue. Remember frogs like to catch insects that fly.
FROG PUPPET – Shape, Colour, Contrast - Step Ten

Step Ten

  1. Wrap the tongue around the handle of a brush to curl the paper.
FROG PUPPET – Shape, Colour, Contrast - Step Eleven

Step Eleven

  1. Use glitter glue to add details to your frog.
FROG PUPPET – Shape, Colour, Contrast - Step Twelve

Step Twelve

  1. Your frog puppet is now ready for you to use when you share the life cycle of a frog with your class.
FROG PUPPET – Shape, Colour, Contrast - Step Thirteen

Step Thirteen

  1. Write each stage of the life cycle of the frog on a separate file card.
  2. Draw a picture to go with your writing.
FROG PUPPET – Shape, Colour, Contrast - Step Fourteen

Step Fourteen

  1. Work with a partner to practice reporting the life cycle of the frog. Remember to: 
    - Speak with a clear voice
    - Look at your audience
    - Hold the puppet to the side so you are facing the audience

Learning Goals

Students will be able to:

  1. Create a frog puppet using a paper bag, paint and construction paper;
  2. Use geometric shapes to create details;
  3. Use the puppet to report the stages of the life cycle of a frog;
  4. Demonstrate technical accomplishment and creativity; and
  5. Support their ideas with evidence found in the works.

Extensions

  1. Have students do independent research for an animal or bird. Invite them to create a puppet to present their research.
  2. Place the students in small groups, have them create a short story and use their puppets to present it. For example, The Three Little Frogs. 

 

Prepare

  1. Pre-cut construction paper in the following sizes: 
    1 head -  15 x 15 cm (6"x 6")
    1 tummy -   10 x 10 cm (4"x 4")
  2. Download images of frogs from the Internet, or find images in books or magazines.
    Frog 
    Green Frog
    Garden Frog
  3. Download the Colour and Shape posters available on this website.
    Posters 
  4. Gather and make available picture books about frogs, for example, Frog and Toad, by Arnold Lobel; Two Frogs, by Chris Wormell (Fiction); The Life Cycle of a Frog, by Bobbi Kalmar (Non-Fiction); Fabulous Frog, Martin Jenkins (Non-Fiction).
  5. Prior to this lesson have children research the life cycle of a frog (egg, tadpole, froglet and adult). 
  6. Prior to this lesson introduce or review the meaning of warm and cool colours.
  7. Prior to this lesson have students explore colour mixing using primary colours to create a variety of new colours.
  8. Create a sample puppet.

Introduction

  1. Read a non-fiction story about the life cycle of a frog. 
  2. List the stages on a chart paper.
  3. Have students take turns using your sample puppet to explain one step of the cycle to the class. Encourage each student to:
    - Speak with a clear voice
    - Look at your audience
    - Hold the puppet to the side so you are facing the audience
  4. Introduce the challenge.

Activities

The Challenge

  1. Create a frog puppet using a paper bag, paint and construction paper.
  2. Use geometric shapes to create details.
  3. Use your puppet to report the stages of the life cycle of a frog.
  4. Demonstrate technical accomplishment and creativity.
  5. Support your ideas with evidence found in the works.

The Process

  1. Ensure that everyone understands the challenge.
  2. Establish success criteria with your students, for example, careful cutting; careful gluing; uniqueness; paper in good condition; contrasting colours
  3. Guide students through the steps outlined in this lesson plan.
  4. Demonstrate where to paint the bag [front only] 
  5. Remind students that they can use any other colours of construction paper. This can be a realistic or fantasy frog puppet.
  6. Observe students as they work.
  7. Provide individual assistance and encouragement.

Sharing

  1. Once all the puppets are complete ask students to share them in partners or small groups. 
    Ask them to:
    - Look closely at the puppets and how they are made.
    - Share thoughts about the work.
    - Talk about how shape, detail and colour are used to create a unique puppet.
    - Discuss the use of more than one colour.
    - Talk about what was difficult about making the puppet and why.
    - Tell what was satisfying about making the puppet and explain why.
  2. Ask some students to share their ideas with the whole class.
  3. Display the puppets so students can view them as a body of work throughout the next few weeks. (Tip - Standing them on an empty water bottle helps them stand securely.)
     

Assessment

  1. Observe students as they work – thoughtful focus, discriminating, seeking more information, elaborating, experimenting
  2. Observe students as they discuss their frog puppet – active listening, insightful contributions, supporting ideas with evidence found in the artwork and from personal experience.
  3. Use a checklist to track progress. (Download – Frog_tracking.pdf)
  4. Have students use the self-assessment form to evaluate their work. (Download – Frog_self-assessment.pdf)

 

Downloads

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LIFE CYCLE OF A FROG – Shape, Colour Mixing