Curtain Time!

Curtain Time! lesson plan

Ready to brighten up your next puppet show? Make new stage curtains! These easy-to-make curtains can highlight any story theme. Listen for the applause!

  • 1.

    Choose and measure your puppet stage. You might use a ready-made puppet theater or build your own with cardboard, chairs, a table, or a desk.

  • 2.

    <STRONG>Cut the fabric</STRONG>. Find white or light-colored fabric (a recycled sheet works well). Make sure the fabric is long enough to extend past the opening of the stage. Leave enough fabric at the top to wrap it around the wooden dowel, rope, clothesline, or other curtain rod. The fabric should be about twice as wide as the stage so you can gather it closed. Cut the fabric with Crayola® Scissors.

  • 3.

    <STRONG>Decorate the curtain.</STRONG> Decide on a design and colors. Pick a theme that fits your next show (such as a bridge for The Three Billy Goats Gruff), or one that will work with several productions (such as a forest or landscape). Choose bright colors. You may want to plan for a left and right side of the curtain.

  • 4.

    Place your fabric on white paper. Draw your design using Crayola Fabric Markers on the fabric. Air-dry the curtain overnight.

  • 5.

    Draw a straight line down the middle of the curtain. Use scissors to cut the fabric down the middle.

  • 6.

    <STRONG>Hang the curtain</STRONG>. Loop the fabric over the dowel (or other curtain rod) to form a hem. Attach the fabric to itself with Crayola School Glue. Air-dry the glue.

  • 7.

    As soon as you write the script, make the puppets, and decorate the sets, you’re ready to stage your puppet show.

Benefits

  • Children design and measure a curtain for a puppet theater.
  • Children make and hang an original curtain for a puppet stage.

Adaptations

  • Write an original script for a puppet show. Base the play on a favorite book, period in time, or scientific discovery (think about the invention of the telephone or light bulb, for example). Another possibility: use puppets to present safety or nutrition
  • Make hand, finger, or stick puppets with work gloves, paper bags, Model Magic, craft sticks, and other recycled materials. Dress puppets in authentic clothing designed with fabric markers.
  • Design background sets for your stage. Paint or draw scenery for each change of scene.
  • Create one-of-a-kind curtains to brighten your classroom windows, hang in front of cluttered shelves, or hide computer cords. Decorate paint shirts. Design floor pillows for comfy reading spots. Fabric markers are fabulous—and permanent!