Make storytelling fun and interactive with our The Speedy Sloth: Stick Puppets! This hands-on activity has been designed to accompany a whole class reading of The Speedy Sloth by Rebecca Young and is perfect for supporting oral retells of the story.

Using puppets is a wonderful way to help students retell narratives, develop sequencing skills, and engage in imaginative play. This resource includes a variety of character and scene images from the story that students can cut out and attach to pop sticks to use as puppets. They can then use these to act out scenes, retell the events in order, or even perform for classmates.

With both colour and black and white options included, you can choose to save ink or let students decorate their puppets before bringing them to life. The visual prompts support memory recall, oral language development, and comprehension, making this an ideal addition to your reading block or Book Week activities.

Key Learning Outcomes:

• ✅ Retell and sequence key events in a narrative
• ✅ Identify characters, setting, and plot elements
• ✅ Use visual supports to enhance oral storytelling
• ✅ Develop fine motor and speaking skills
• ✅ Engage in imaginative and cooperative play

What’s Included:

• 12 character stick puppets (in both colour and black and white)
• 4 illustrated background scenes (in both colour and black and white)

Materials Needed:

• Printed puppets and backgrounds
• Scissors for cutting out the pieces
• Glue or sticky tape
• Pop sticks for puppet handles
• Optional: crayons or markers for colouring the black and white versions

How to Use:

1. Read The Speedy Sloth with your class and discuss the key events and characters.
2. Have students cut out their choice of puppets and backgrounds.
3. Attach the puppets to pop sticks using glue or tape.
4. Use the stick puppets during oral retell sessions, performances, or roleplay.
5. Encourage students to tell the story in their own words using the visual aids.

Ideas for Classroom Use:

• 💡 Include in your reading rotations or guided reading tasks
• 💡 Use in small groups for shared retelling or partner work
• 💡 Set up a puppet theatre station as part of a Book Week activity
• 💡 Let students act out their favourite scenes using the puppets and backgrounds
• 💡 Encourage creative extensions by having students make their own new characters

Top Teacher Tips:

• 💛 Print on thick card for durability or laminate for reuse
• 💛 Store puppets in envelopes or snap-lock bags for easy organisation
• 💛 Use black and white versions as a colouring-in task before storytelling
• 💛 Display completed puppets and backgrounds as part of a reading corner

Check out more amazing resources related to The Speedy Sloth in our The Speedy Sloth Book PACKAGE.