Folk Song Puppet Show

Red Yarn

This program offered by: Red Yarn

In this 4-5 session residency, teaching artist Andy Furgeson (AKA Red Yarn) will help students adapt a traditional folk song into a lively musical puppet show. First, students will learn to sing a traditional folk song, exploring its cultural roots, structure, meter and rhyme. If time allows, they will write original lyrics connecting to a unit of study. Then they’ll design and build inventive sock puppets of the song’s characters and develop movements to enhance their puppetry while they sing their folk song. Finally, the class will perform their musical puppet show for their families. This program supports students’ literacy, historical understanding of folklore, visual and sculptural art skills, musical aptitude, and performance skills. Folk songs can be chosen or rewritten to connect to current curriculum or student interests.

Details

Program Model: In Class

Art Form: Music

Curriculum Connections: Social Studies

Grades: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, K, Pre-K

Program Requirements: None.

Instruction Language(s): English

Min. Residency Sessions/Classroom: 3

PLEASE NOTE: Arts for Learning NW has paused its support of all residencies, workshops and performances outside of Right Brain Initiative contracts. We encourage you to work directly with the teaching artists. If you're interested in being connected directly with this artist, please email [email protected] with your request and we'll forward your message.

Red Yarn

About the Artist

Red Yarn

Andy Furgeson, aka Red Yarn, is a musician, puppeteer and educator from Austin, Texas, based in Portland since 2005. After several years working in after school programs and playing music for grown-ups, Andy decided to combine his passions for education and music by creating Red Yarn. Since going full-time as a family performer and teaching artist in June 2012, Andy has performed 250 shows per year, taught music and puppetry to thousands of students, and touched the lives of countless families with his songs, puppets, and positive messages. With seven albums, extensive touring, and videos galore, Red Yarn is taking his creative folklore project to a national scale. Andy lives in North Portland with his wife and singing partner Jessie Eller-Isaacs (an English teacher at Cleveland High School), their two young children, and a basement full of critter puppets.

"Red Yarn is not only an amazing artist and musician, he knows how to work with young learners. He challenges them, builds confidence, helps them identify art in the world...all while having so much fun! I recommend this experience highly." K-5 Teacher

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Program Costs

Program costs are based on a variety of different factors including number of sessions, planning hours needed and material costs. Please contact Arts for Learning NW for help determining the actual cost of your programs. Email us at [email protected] or call 503-225-5900, ext 705