Puppetry in Poland

When I was thinking about using puppets in my country, I recalled that we organize one of the biggest festivals of puppets in Europe.
International festival of Puppetry Art takes place in Bielsko Biała in May.

http://kadmusarts.com/festivals/5124.html

This drama festival is organized each year since 1966. For many years it was the only place which gather theatres from the West and the East.

It shows different points of artists'views, different styles, traditional techniques and modern ones.

http://www.banialuka.pl/festiwal/index.php?new_lang=en

The festival is a real 'artoholics' paradise' !

Puppetry

During last session we talked about making and using different kinds of puppets in the class.
We used shadow puppets, clay and paper marche puppets.
These are mine:

Bad stepmother

Happy elephant

I think that making puppets is not only beneficial for art class but also during foreign language classes.
Puppets offer various opportunities. They help children to express their feelings, wishes and dreams. They are also helpful in students - teacher rapport. What's more, puppets boost students' motivation to learn and encourage them to use creativity and imaginary.

During language classes puppets may be used for:
- introducing new vocabulary and grammar structures
- singing songs
- playing action games
- storytelling

There are many different kinds of puppets, for example:
- paper plate puppets
- sock/scarf puppets
- marionettes
- stick puppets
- cloth puppets

I have found very interesting website with lots of ideas of creating puppet crafts for kids:
http://www.daniellesplace.com/html/puppets.html

Happiness in Poland

When I think about happiness in Poland, two things come to my mind.

First of all, in Poland there is a village called 'Szczęście' ('Happiness). I strongly believe that people who live there are very happy :)

Secondly, for me happiness is strongly connected with a smile. In Polnad there is 'Muzeum Orderu Uśmiechu' ('Museum of smiling order'). It is a special award which is given by children for adults. The Museum is situated in Rabka - Zdrój, in an Amusement Park for families called Rabkoland. The city is also called 'the city of children from all over the world'. The ceremony is always very solemn. In my opinion it is a great opportunity for children to give an award to meritorious people. They feel very responsible and proud of their choices. What's more, it's also a charitable foundation, and that's the most important role of it.

 Enjoyment and help = that's for me the definition of happiness.

The story about a blue bird.

Two friends were looking for the blue bird in Africa.

 

They were walking and walking many days...

They climbed a high mountain.

They walked through the forest.

They were very hungry so they ate a piece of pizza which they found on their way.

They were really tired so they slept a little.

Next day they found a bike.

They noticed a hint - a feather in the lake.

 

Suddenly they saw their bird !

It was their blue bird !

Finally, they could rest.