Hey peeps! I’m really excited to introduce you to a fantastic educational technology app for the classroom—a storytelling tool with puppets. In this blog post, I’ll walk you through the basic instructions and provide some helpful tips. Plus, I’ll explain how you can use it to enhance different levels of the SAMR model in your classroom.

The best part of Puppet Pals? It’s absolutely free! Once you’ve downloaded the app, you’ll find simple on-screen instructions to get you started. Here’s how it works:

1. Choose your setting: Begin by selecting a location. I went somewhere close to Alaska—you can pick any place you like!

2. Puppet Play: There are six free puppets available. Just tap on the one you want to add to your scene. And guess what? You can even put your own face on the puppet, though I didn’t try it this time.

3. Mix and Match: Get creative! You can mix and match different puppet bodies and heads to create unique characters.

4. Let Them Speak: Speak into the microphone while touching your puppets to make them talk. It’s a blast!

5. Move Them Around: You can also have your puppets move by dragging their arms or legs. There are even cool extras, like a free horse and a police car. Of course, you can buy more vehicles or animals, but that’s not necessary right now.

6. Personalize Your Scene: Want to add a personal touch? You can insert your own photo as a backdrop and choose whether it’s horizontal or vertical.

This is what I recorded.

These kinds of apps and tools are like handy tools that can jazz up your teaching.

When you bring the Puppet App into your teaching toolkit, you’re not just adding a bit of tech to your classroom; you’re also making learning way more fun and interactive. This cool tool lets your students join in the action by giving voices to puppets and moving digital characters on the screen.

First, students can actively participate in storytelling by lending their voices to the puppets. This interactive speech engagement not only makes the learning process more enjoyable but also helps them develop their communication skills.

Additionally, the app allows students to take control of their digital actors by dragging them across the screen. This hands-on approach empowers them to explore creativity and express their ideas in a unique and captivating manner.

Moreover, the puppet app serves as an excellent tool for history lessons. You can utilize it to narrate historical events in an engaging way, bringing the past to life for your students.

One of the remarkable features of this app is the ability to record the stories it creates. This means that students can save their performances and share them with their parents, guardians, or caregivers. This not only reinforces what they’ve learned but also allows them to proudly showcase their creativity to their loved ones.

Once shared, students can watch their recordings at home, extending the learning experience beyond the classroom. They can revisit the stories they’ve created, which can spark discussions before and after watching. This encourages critical thinking and reflection, deepening their understanding of the subject matter.

But it’s not just about the basics. This app can take your teaching to the next level. It can help you dive into the SAMR model’s fancy stages like ‘modification’ and ‘redefinition,’ where technology transforms how we teach and learn. So, it’s not just about using tech; it’s about shaking up your teaching game in exciting ways! What do you think?