Artful Connections for Educators

Taking a Creative Approach to Integrating the Arts into the Curriculum

Puppets in the Classroom

If you are an educator in the classroom or at home, check out our workshop options below. We’re happy to customize our workshops to meet your individual and classroom needs. Contact us for more information or to set up a day & time for a fun, entertaining, interactive & educational workshop experience.

Introduction to Puppetry

We’ll kick-start our time together with The Colour of Friendship, a puppet show that emphasizes how important our differences are!

After taking a closer look at the physical characteristics of sock puppets, students will be introduced to a wide range of other puppet styles. Everyone will have the chance to learn and practice some basic puppetry techniques and even try their hand at a little bit of puppet improv.

Contact Us to Plan or Schedule Your Workshop

Let’s Make a Puppet & Bring It to Life

Learning how to make and use a puppet opens up all kinds of creative opportunities for storytelling, role play, teaching the curriculum, relationship building, and enhancing creativity. In this 90 minute workshop, students make their own “one-of-kind” sock puppet character and learn how to bring it to life with like a pro! This action-packed workshop is available virtually or in person.

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What People Are Saying!

“Artful Connections hit the nail on the head when they created a custom puppet show for us here at Community Living, to teach children about Inclusion and kindness. This was an amazing way to spread our message in a way that children are excited about! I would highly recommend Artful Connections to other social service agencies, schools etc. as a creative way to teach children and families. They are not only great performers but went over and above for us and included parent handouts, visits with the puppets and an ice breaker game. Thank you!”

- Laurie Oram, Child & Family Support Facilitator, North Hastings Community Integration Association

“Our grade one experience with Shelley was beyond amazing! She had an amazing connection with the students even though we had our experience on google meet. She modified her lessons to the needs and natural feedback given by the students at the time (ie: incorporating movement breaks with the puppets when she saw it was needed) while being very planned and organized to deliver her "program". Leading up to our program date, Shelley took the time to speak to our lead teacher and crafted a program and puppet show that fit with the work we were doing at the time. The students have since created their own sock puppets and still talk about what they learned from Shelley. They use their puppets often; their puppets have helped our ELL learners grow in their language development and have helped all the students grow in both their speaking and listening skills. I look forward to rebooking Shelley next year!”

- Laura Harrison, Learning Leader, Monterey Park Elementary School, Calgary

“Shelley’s workshop was a major highlight of the year for my students. She prepared an age appropriate lesson and was so engaging throughout the entire session. The students were able to see first-hand how to bring their puppets to life and use them as a tool to communicate. We find ourselves constantly referring back to Shelley’s workshop. This is an experience I would definitely recommend.”