Paper Making, Calligraphy, Printing Galore!

Our students have started a sculpture unit this semester. 

The first project we started was handmade paper. The kids really enjoyed getting messy and hands-on with this! 

We started by collecting recycled fibers such as discarded pieces of paper, scraps of lint, cardboard, anything fibrous! We added some pieces of colored scrap paper to the mix, and blended it together in the blender. Students helped me throw the scraps in and watched in wonder as it turned to a gooey pulp. See the video below for the full process! 

I handed out chunks of pulp and allowed students to manipulate it into a flat sheet of wet paper like they do in the factories (we watched a video to see how the professionals do it!) We had to let the paper dry for about a week. 

First grade painted some beautiful Chinese calligraphy on their paper. We talked about how paper making and calligraphy is an art form in this culture. We also talked about how each character is symbolic. Students could chose to paint either "Peace", "Love", or "Happy". 

Peyton, 1st grade

Gissele, 1st grade

Peyton, 1st grade

2nd through 5th grade used the printmaking process to create a stamp from foam printing plates. We used pens and pencils to make groves in the foam plates.  Wherever they pressed with the pen or pencil, the ink would print.

 The students learned about symmetry and asymmetry, radial lines, use of pattern, and what tools are used in printmaking. We used a brayer to roll the ink onto our printing plates. The printing plates became like a stamp (once you put it on your paper, you can't move it!) 

These prints turned out great!