Free Sock Puppets App for Therapy

Yesterday I received an email at school letting teachers know of a free app that is pretty useful to use when teaching students. I jumped on board and tried it in my groups and already love it!

The app is called Sock Puppets and allows kids create their own puppet show.

First, you can select a puppet (all with different silly voices).

Next, select the background scene.

You can also select props like a microphone or trees.

After the stage is set, press the record button to speak. When you play it, the puppets automatically lip-sync to the recorded voice!

How do I use this in therapy?

I’ve used this app for retelling stories. Right now, in my speech room, I am using Jenna’s Multicultural December Holidays to teach students about 3 different celebrations: Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and Christmas.
You can use this app for any listening comprehension activity though.

Next, I have the students put on a puppet show explaining the reading material. I usually have them tell me the main idea and a supporting detail.

Click below to see the awesome puppet show some of my students put on after learning about Hanukkah! (This was after they stopped giggling!)

The free version only comes with 30 seconds of recording time per show but you can upgrade to the complete version for $3.99 to receive 90 seconds of recording time.

This list of possibilities with this app is endless! Here’s some I thought of:
1. To explain vocabulary
2. To explain the difference between a homophone, antonym, and synonym
3. To retell a story
4. To review a concept
5. To practice social skills

So far, my kids love it! And…best of all, it’s free! Can you think of any other ideas to use this app with students?