I introduced puppets towards the end of the year to the elementary students. I showed them a few possible methods for making puppets but a simple technique for making rod puppets was by far the most popular. We had ninjas, princesses, cats, and more. After making them, our first and second graders naturally began to have them interact. With little prompting they began adding sets and props of their own making and produced a long and somewhat wandering plot line about pigs and stolen food. Over a few class periods during the last 10 minutes of class, we would clean up and watch their performance. Most of the class was behind the theater but for those few audience members present, they devised a rating system for their puppet shows. How's that for authentic feedback? There was an electric feeling in the air as they planned and plotted and performed.