Lesson Title: Emotion Explorers with Puppets

Target Level: Prep / Grade 1Duration: 45 minutesFocus: Using puppets to explore and express different emotions through voice, facial expression, and movement.

Learning Objective

We are learning to explore and express emotions using puppets, voice, body, and face in short drama games and performances.

Victorian Curriculum Links

• VCADRD017: Explore role and dramatic action in dramatic play.

• VCADAR018: Use voice, facial expression, movement, and space to establish role and situation.

• VCADRP019: Present drama that communicates ideas to an audience.

Lesson Structure (EDI Format)

1. Introduction (2 minutes)

• Introduce puppet Ziggy or similar character.

• Teach key vocabulary: emotion, puppet, expression, freeze, act out.

• TAPPLE Example:Ask: “What’s one feeling our puppet might have today?”

2. Activate Prior Knowledge (5 minutes)

• Ask: “What emotions do puppets show?”

• Demonstrate facial/body gestures with Ziggy.

• Students copy using hands or puppets.

• TAPPLE Example:Ask: “What would a scared puppet look like?”

3. Concept Development & Pair Share (5 minutes)

• Model vocal emotion:

  • Happy voice: “Yay!”

  • Angry voice: “Grrr!”

• Pair Share: “Try making your puppet feel excited or tired.”

• TAPPLE Example:Ask: “Can your puppet sound surprised?”

4. Skill Development & Games (30 minutes)

• Game 1: Puppet Emotion Showdown (teacher calls out emotion, puppets act it out)

• Game 2: Puppet Walk (students walk puppets, freeze in emotion on cue)

• Game 3: Puppet Corners (students move puppets to emotion corners based on scenarios)

• Game 4: Puppet Pair Plays (pairs make short puppet scenes using 2 emotions)

Differentiation:

• Emotion cards, buddy system, visual cues.

• Extension: Add scenarios or allow improv lines.

5. Conclusion (3 minutes)

• Puppet freeze in favourite emotion.

• Ask: “What was your favourite emotion today?”

• Praise teamwork and expression.