The Sophisticated Sock

...The idea of using something as simple as a sock, glove, or mitten to express emotion as a new character makes the idea of puppetry SO accessible! So many connections to social emotional learning, as well as dance standards... ...Really gets to the heart of everything STEAM is about! ...the inclusion of poetry allows for such a range of rigor and accessibility to all grade levels...love the inclusion of storyboarding and a planning sheet. ...The Buddy Bookworm is SO cute! Such an engaging way to help kids interact with text in all its forms. Such a cool series of projects! I think teachers can take the entire series as it is, or use pieces to compliment what's happening in their classrooms. ...Wow! I love the inclusion of civics and really diving into such a deep driving question through puppetry. True project based learning! ...Yes! You're already naturally hitting so many visual art standards simply with the creation of puppets, and I love that you're accessing visual arts standards through visual arts standards, while tying it in with the natural ELA connections. Such rigor in a fun, accessible way! Brianne Gidcumb, Director of eLearning, Education Closet, www.educationcloset.com Teachers especially will appreciate Karen's illustrated project choices for different skill and age levels. And while it would be possible to teach directly from Karen's page-by-page advice, I believe the book's greater use will be to give teachers the confidence to create their own puppetry lessons in open-ended activites. Janice Wolfe, President Puppeteers of America Karen Konnerth's extensive experience in classrooms shines through on each page. With attention to detail coupled with suggested books and resources for each activity, this publication will pique and satisfy the interest of teachers who are eager to use engaging and highly motivating activities to teach the curriculum. The Sophisticated Sock also provides robust enrichment activities for art, theater/drama and interdisciplinary arts teachers as well as special education and reading specialists. It will be of interest to anyone who works with young people in educational and/or recreational settings. This publication is a must-have for educators who are eager to stimulate their students' imaginations, inspire creativity and strengthen skills and knowledge in many subject areas. Carol Sterling, former President of UNIMA-USA (US branch Union Internationale de la Marionette, member of United Nations UNESCO), and world traveling United States Fulbright Program Specialist in Educational Puppetry