What characteristics define light and sound? How can these characteristics be used as vehicles for creative expression? Our Grade 2 students have been inquiring into light and sound, and this week, they culminated their exploration in a captivating shadow puppet show to wrap up the unit.
‘Why does the stick look bent when put in water?’ ‘What do transparent, translucent, and opaque objects look like when put in front of the light?’ The students started the unit by exploring the properties of light. While engaging in various experiments, they enjoyed discovering connections between the light’s properties and phenomena around us.
Moreover, the students were privileged to learn from professional shadow puppet show performers. The enchanting show, which incorporated vibrant and colorful background scenery, lively sound effects, and whimsical puppet movements captivated the students. They were also excited to listen to the performers, who generously shared tips for creating an engaging shadow puppet show. The show and workshop were such a great inspiration for them.
Guided by a lot of inspiration and ideas, the students created their own shadow puppet show. They entirely used their knowledge and creativity to produce the world of folktales on the screen; for example, they used cellophane, a translucent material, to represent the unique traits of the puppets. The scary oni (ogre) from the story of Momotaro (Peach Boy) did look scary with red eyes made with cellophane, even though it appeared just as a silhouette on the screen.
The strong collaboration among the students truly impressed the audience, including their parents, and made the performance a huge success. From manipulating the puppets and delivering the lines to putting sound effects, narrating the story, and changing background scenery, each student played their role wholeheartedly and assisted each other in presenting the wonderful world of the stories.
In this way, the Grade 2’s journey to learn about light and sound concluded, showcasing their knowledge, creativity, and collaboration skills. Well done, Grade 2 students!