Materials
- Colored construction paper
- Scissors
- A pop-up picture book and an ordinary picture book
- White art paper
- Small scraps of construction paper
- Glue
What to do
1. Cut some of the construction paper into strips varying in width from 1" to 11/2" (3 cm to 4 cm) and in length from 6" to 8" (15 cm to 20 cm). Cut the rest of the paper into circles, then cut on a diagonal from the edge of each circle toward its center, creating spirals.
2. Show the students an ordinary picture book and a pop-up book and help them understand the difference between two-dimensional and three-dimensional illustrations.
3. Invite the children to make a three-dimensional collage. Demonstrate how to paste one end of a strip of paper onto the art paper and fold a crease in the strip to make it stand upright; then paste the opposite end of the strip on the paper, creating a loop.
4. Help the children create loops, weaving the loops over and under each other, if desired. Show the children how to paste one end of a spiral on the art paper as if it were a spring.
5. Have the children add various scraps of paper to their collage, folding them so they remain upright.
More to do
- Dramatic play: Spread a large sheet of butcher paper on the floor and invite the children to make a crayon drawing of the community, then supply blocks of all shapes for building houses, schools, cars, trucks, and more.
- Games: Play with slinky toys and learn more about spirals.
- More art: Create pop-up greeting cards.
-Barbara Saul, Eureka, CA
