* The third grader's stage can be anything he wishes to use. He will think of
things such as table tops, chairs, the floor itself, which is excellent as it allows
him vast movement. When he seems ready to add elements such as background
paintings and stage sets, he may devise such a set up as the one below in which
he stands on one bench or table, leans over easel that displays background paint-
ing and operates on an-
other table. In addi-
tion, to puppets already
described, the third,
fourth, fifth and sixth
grader may make and
use the hand or glove
puppet, as follows:

* For head, three inch
dowel. Surround with
excelsior, or some other
material that won't
shrink. Hold with
piece of newsprint by
tying around bottom of
head with string.
Leave some dowel for
neck. Wet whole head.
Cover and mold with
papier-mache. Let dry.
Paint.


* Let children discov-
er things to make wigs of, from yarn to moss, pot cleaners to sponge. Hands may
be drawn freely on plywood and sawed out and painted. Feet may be an added
interest to the older child. These may be added to the front bottom edge of the
thick muslin dress, tacked on or glued. When feet are added to the hand puppet
they simply rest on table edge or on desk arm before the arm of the operator.





 HAND PUPPETS


 PUPPET HEADS

 Start with a flexible piece of cardboard about 3 x 4 inches and make into a
 tube an inch or less in diameter. Tie with a string or use Scotch tape to hold.
 This will form the neck of the puppet and be the place where the finger is in-
 serted when manipulating it later.