The Magic of Paper Sculpture
16 Exciting,Creative and Economical Projects Ready for the Classroom
David Swinton shares creative paper art projects in an easy to read format . He supplies templates for sculptures described. Great as lesson fillers and group activities.
Paper sculptures are cost effective and easy to make. All you need is a ream of photocopy paper, scissors, glue and whatever art materials you have available. Lesson plans can be versatile, allowing for a range of skills and abilities. Sculptures can be made as gifts, for celebrations, instead of cards, as a way of sending thoughts and messages, to decorate the class room thematically, or even as signage. Creative thinking could see you use smaller sculptures as invitations, packaging or labels for products.
The Magic of Paper Sculpture / Instruction Book
The book The Magic of Paper Sculpture by David Swinton [Cassell Press,1997] begins by talking about the ease and versatility of the craft. Swinton then goes on to make the reader aware that the sculptures can be intricate or simple, elaborate or plain. How you set up your lessons will reflect your time frame, your budget, and your classroom needs.
Five Basic Techniques of the Craft
The techniques are simple and easy for children to learn. They are cutting, folding, curling, bending and scoring. They are fantastic for encouraging dexterity and concentration. Children's efforts are well rewarded when they see the results.
Complimentary Extensions of the Techniques
Children love gluing. These projects are a way of helping students see that they must take care when marking, joining and spacing the paper. Sculpture, especially when done with simple white paper, is ideal for encouraging spatial awareness while planning and thinking. Students also come to see the importance for structural support of the sculptures. They learn about armatures.
Displays and Exhibition
The sculptures are very light weight. They can also be created so that they are strong. Displays can be
- hung from fishing line - either singly or as mobiles
- free standing - on tables and boxes
- placed progressively on convenient structures such as stairway railings, window sills, garden box frames
- digitalised so that the sculptures, captured in the round and placed into a software package such as Movie Maker or PowerPoint, can be accompanied by music, poetry, a story or an explanation of theme. These shows could be projected on assembly or displayed within a digital frame in a prominent place within the school
- at Christmas they could be placed around the Christmas tree or hung as decorations
- in church or at home a nativity scene could be constructed
Sculptures could be made as a lead up activity to an event, at gift giving time, or during a themed week like Refugee Week, or Book Week. The artwork could be displayed in the classroom, library, on assembly or in the foyer of the school.
Paper Sculpture in Education
Because it is less complicated than origami and less messy than paper mache, paper sculpture is ideal for the classroom. It is especially workable when teachers keep paper and materials set up in a corner with a collection of patterns for students to choose from. This availability allows for those students who always finish work early and need a project that can become ever more complex. They may begin to design their own projects as they become adept at the craft.
Because it is novel, light weight, easy to make, but with the ability to expand towards an ever increasing range of complexity, students are encouraged to acquire valuable skills. The sculptures may become an item the students wish to keep forever. The school community will appreciate the attractive displays. Here is an example of a complex paper sculpture by Tom Torluemke called "Studio view of paper sculpture", 2006
Templates
The templates for the sculptures are arranged in order of complexity. They start simply and become more challenging as the reader works through projects. They are either three dimensional or deep based relief.
