Big Idea

Marionette tales

STORY
3-4 class periods

Grade: 4

Objectives

Students will be able to discuss how art can

inspire stories and plays.
Students will be able to write a short story after
having a class discussion about parts of a story
Students will be able to create color blending
affects using a wet on wet watercolor technique
Students will be able to communicate their ideas
through a puppet show performance

Students will create a play for their already made

marionettes created in a previous lesson

Essential Questions
1.
2.
3.
4.

Key Concepts

Materials
Students marionettes
Writing paper
Pencils
Drawing paper
Crayons
Markers

Where do stories come from?

What types of stories are there?
What does a good story have?
How can art inspire a story?

Construction paper*
Cardboard*
Paint*
Brushes*
Water cups*
Scissors*

Students will work together to create a play for

their marionettes
Students will create props and setting that
correspond to their short story
Students will lean what goes into making a
puppet show with marionettes

Lesson Sequence (50 min class period)

DAY 1: Individual
Discussion - Where do stories come from? What does a
good story have?
What types of stories are there? Write down ideas on white
board
Have students look at their marionettes and brainstorm ideas
of what type of story they want to tell.
Start brainstorming what kind of setting they want and props
they might need
DAY 2: Collaboration
(* materials for day 2)
Match students up into pairs and have them start writing
their play/short story.
Start building props and sets

Standards
NCAS Page 2
VA:Cr1.1.4a
VA:Cr1.2.4a
VA:Cr2.2.4a
VA:Cn11.1.4a

GLE Page 2
STRAND I. 1.B. 4
STRAND I. 3.C. 4
STRAND IV. 1.A. 4

DAY 3:
Work day
DAY 4:
PRESENTATION DAY

Accommodations
K-5 class (6- 8 students, 5-6 adults)
Different learning levels
Difficulty with scissors, and writing for some students
Students should do as much as they can on their own
Adults may need to help some with writing portion

SHOWME
Process and techniques for the production,
exhibition or performance of one or more
of the visual or performed arts
The principles and elements of different art
forms

Assessment page 3

MARIONETTE TALES

STORY

GRADE 4

STANDARDS
NCAS National Core Art Standards
CREATING:
1: Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work.
VA:Cr1.1.4a - Brainstorm multiple approaches to a creative art or design
problem
VA:Cr1.2.4a - Collaboratively set goals and create artwork that is meaningful
and has purpose to the makers
2: Organize and develop artistic ideas and work.
VA:Cr2.2.4a - When making works of art, utilize and care for materials, tools,
and equipment in a manner that prevents danger to oneself and others.
CONNECTING:
11: Synthesize and relate knowledge and personal experiences to make art.
VA:Cn11.1.4a - Through observation, infer information about time, place, and
culture in which a work of art was created

GLE Grade Level Expectations

STRAND I: Product/Performance
1. Select and apply two-dimensional media, techniques, and processes to communicate
ideas and solve challenging visual art problems
B. 4: Apply watercolor paint to wet areas to blend color;
Using tempera paints, add color to white to create a tint;
Using tempera paints, add black to a color create a shad
3. Communicate ideas about subject matter and themes in artworks created for various
purposes
C. 4: Create an original artwork that communicates ideas about Time
(e.g., past, present, future)
STRAND IV: Interdisciplinary Connections (IC)
1. Explain connections between visual art and performing arts
A. 4: Explain how a play or skit could be inspired by a work of art

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MARIONETTE TALES

STORY

GRADE 4

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