Raccoon Paper Bag Puppet

Getting started: When beginning paper bag puppet children's art projects, I like to begin by sharing a related book about the particular topic. I usually summarize the story and emphasize the artist or illustrator's work in the book. Raccoon on His Own, by Jim Arnosky is a nice way to begin this art lesson.

Art Techniques:
Drawing
Grades: Kg-2
Ages: 5-8

About this project: To familiarize the instructor with puppet making, you might want to look through the book Puppets and Masks by Nan Rump. Students will be delighted with the results of these adorable raccoon paper bag puppets. Have fun!

Materials needed:
  • White drawing paper (25cm x 35cm)
  • a selection of colored construction paper
  • scissors
  • pencils and erasers
  • oil pastels
  • brown lunch bags
  • white plastic glue
Directions:

Part 1
  1. Show how to draw a raccoon face on white paper.
  2. Show how to draw the nose, ears, tummy, tail and legs.
  3. Cut out the head of the raccoon.
  4. Demonstrate blending oil pastels, and repeat colors throughout the composition. Pay special attention to the coloring on the raccoon's face.
  5. Cut out all body part.
Part 2

  1. Put hand in brown paper bag so that can open and close the bottom.
  2. Glue head on to the bottom of bag. Glue the tummy under the head.
  3. Add legs, and tail.
  4. With especially fast workers, I have them color in the back of the raccoon paper bag puppet while other students finish up.
Save this in a notebook of art lesson plans for children in a category called: Drawing Lessons for children. That's what I do....

Art Therapy Ideas: Most elementary art projects are a great way to start an art therapy session. The Racoon paper bag puppet is a great way to stimulate a child's imagination. Go over some of the character traits of a raccoon. Have your young client speak in first person, and be the raccoon. Where would he/she like to sneak around when everyone's out of the house or classroom? What sort of adventure would the raccoon like to go on? What would the raccoon like to say to other members in his/her family? It would be helpful if the therapist had another animal puppet and used it to create a dialogue. When you have the art piece speak, it's a gestalt art experience. To get more information on this topic, you can to refer to the book by Janie Rhyne called
The Gestalt Art Experience: Patterns That Connect. you might also want to try making the elephant paper bag puppets

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