Paper Sculpture: Collect and Compare

Overview

You will make a sculpture from different pieces of paper around your home.

Grade Level

K-3

Media

Construction

Theme/ Big Idea

We can change paper in different ways to create 3D forms.

Essential Questions

How can we change different kinds of paper to make 3D forms?

Slide Deck

Materials and Tools

Cardboard boxes (tissue boxes, cereal boxes)
Mail envelopes
Magazines
Newspaper
Receipts
Construction paper

Activities

Step 1: Collect various paper and boxes. Flatten the boxes by opening them at the seams.

Step 2: Tear or cut papers into thin, thick and medium strips.

Step 3

Look at and feel each strip of paper. Is it thick or thin?

Sort the strips into a thick pile and a thin pile.

What else do you notice about each paper?

Is it sturdy or flimsy?
Is it smooth or rough?
Does it make a sound?

Step 4

Change the paper in different ways. Compare how the thin paper and thick paper are different.

Fold a thin strip and then a thick strip.
Twist a thin strip and then a thick strip.
Roll a thin strip and then a thick strip.
Crumple a thin strip into a ball, and then a thick strip into a ball.

Step 5

Arrange the paper forms in different ways.

Pieces can go under or through.

Or over and on top!

Pieces can also go around or inside.

When you finish, take pictures of your artwork from 2 different angles and share them.

Save the collected materials for the next lesson.

Reflection

What qualities did you notice about the paper you collected?

Describe 3 papers:

Example: This paper is thin. I can twist it.

1. This paper is _____________. I can _____________ it.

2. This paper is _____________. I can _____________ it.

3. This paper is _____________. I can _____________ it.

Credits

Paper Sculpture: Collect and Compare
Written by Cynthia Chen, Artist Instructor

Studio in a School NYC Team
Andrea Burgay, Associate Director
Julie Applebaum, Senior Director
Hasna Muhammad, Ed.D., Chair, Board of Directors, Studio in a School Association
Alison Scott-Williams, President, Studio in a School NYC