Create shadow puppets of Caribbean animals while exploring how different materials interact with light - transparent, translucent, and opaque.
Create shadow puppets of beloved Caribbean animals like the hummingbird, mongoose, iguana, pelican, and sea turtle. Students will learn about light properties while celebrating the unique wildlife of our Caribbean islands through storytelling and creative expression.
Shadow Puppet Theatre combines science and creativity as students explore how different materials interact with light. By testing materials to see which block light (opaque), let some light through (translucent), or let all light through (transparent), students build vocabulary and understanding of light properties. The activity culminates in creating and performing with Caribbean animal puppets.
Waves, Light & Sound: Light and Materials
Caribbean Context: Local Wildlife
Long thin beak, tiny body, fast-moving wings. The smallest bird in the world lives in Cuba!
Long body, short legs, pointed nose. Brought to islands to catch snakes and rats.
Spiky back, long tail, scaly skin. Loves to sun on rocks and trees.
Big pouch beak, large wings. Dives into water to catch fish!
Round shell, flippers instead of legs. Nests on Caribbean beaches.
Teach students to make animal shapes with their hands before using puppets.
Groups write and perform short stories about Caribbean animals using their puppets.
Create puppets with moving parts using brass fasteners (e.g., flapping wings).
If possible, perform shadow plays using the setting Caribbean sun as light source!
TRANSPARENT
Lets ALL light through (clear plastic, glass)
TRANSLUCENT
Lets SOME light through (wax paper, frosted glass)
OPAQUE
Lets NO light through (cardboard, wood)
SHADOW
Dark area created when opaque object blocks light
