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
- Anticipatory Set: Show various handmade papers and the materials made to use them.
- Have students collect plant material and press, tear paper and mix with water, and prepare materials for making pulp.
- Review vocabulary.
Day 2
- Demonstrate how to use blender, pour pulp into vats, and pull pulp.
- Have students take turns pulling pulp from screens working in groups, placing between couch sheets, and using press.
Day 3
- Demonstrate how to caste paper and use molds.
- Have students cast paper.