Free Lesson Plan: Paper Making and Paper Casting

Paper Making and Casting

Level: Elementary and Middle School

Duration: Three 45-minute class periods

Historical Overview: Japanese paper

Goals and Objectives: To introduce the paper-making process and the importance of recycling paper

Vocabulary: Deckle, pulp, cotton, recycling, molds, press, iridescent

Materials: Paper-making screen, cover screen, drain rack, envelope pattern, botanicals, iridescent flakes, sponges, press bar, hand molds, metallic sprinkles, cookie cutters, support grid, two couch sheets, field flower and paper press, book press, blender, rolling pin, paper vat, tarp and newspaper, scrubbed corn husk, plum cotton rag with flakes, white cotton rag, blue denim

Procedures:

Day 1

  1. Anticipatory Set: Show various handmade papers and the materials made to use them.
  2. Have students collect plant material and press, tear paper and mix with water, and prepare materials for making pulp.
  3. Review vocabulary.

Day 2

  1. Demonstrate how to use blender, pour pulp into vats, and pull pulp.
  2. Have students take turns pulling pulp from screens working in groups, placing between couch sheets, and using press.

Day 3

  1. Demonstrate how to caste paper and use molds.
  2. Have students cast paper.