Papier-Mache (Kids Can Do It)
Kids Can Do It Series
on Goodreads (5)
What’s inside...
Provides step-by-step instructions for creating papier-mâché projects such as a giraffe pencil holder and a bug vase. The book from the Kids Can Do It series guides kids to make colorful, practical, and inexpensive crafts using simple materials like water, newspaper, flour, and household items. Kids can craft various items like a fish bank, lion magazine holder, cat and mouse bookends, and more, which can be perfect gifts or personal keepsakes.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
8-12
Length
40 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What was your favorite project in the book and why?
How does working with papier-mache make you feel?
If you could create anything with papier-mache, what would it be and why?
How do you think papier-mache helps people express their creativity?
What did you learn about the process of making papier-mache that surprised you?
Tip: Role play these questions
Before starting the conversation, consider doing a papier-mache project together to make the discussion more relevant and engaging.
Show genuine interest in their thoughts and feelings about the projects and the creative process.
Praise their creative ideas and encourage them to think about other ways to use papier-mache in their daily life or in other art projects.
Ask follow-up questions based on their responses to encourage deeper thinking and connection to the material.
Relate their papier-mache projects to real-world applications to enhance their understanding of the craft’s practicality and significance.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Creativity and Innovation
Explanation: Through the process of creating various papier-mâché projects, children learn to think creatively and innovate with materials at hand.
Real-World Application: Children can apply these skills to solve problems creatively in school projects or whenever they need to use limited resources to achieve a goal.
Example Lesson: Patience and Perseverance
Explanation: Papier-mâché projects require time for layering and drying, teaching children the importance of patience and perseverance as they wait to see their final product.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the value of patience and steady effort in achieving long-term goals, which is applicable in their studies and personal pursuits.
Example Lesson: Following Instructions
Explanation: The book provides step-by-step instructions for each project, helping children understand the importance of following guidelines to achieve desired outcomes.
Real-World Application: Following instructions is a crucial skill in academic settings, following recipes, assembling toys or furniture, and more.
Example Lesson: Problem-Solving
Explanation: As children encounter challenges in creating their papier-mâché crafts, they learn to identify problems and think of possible solutions.
Real-World Application: These problem-solving skills can be transferred to academic challenges and personal obstacles, fostering resilience.
Example Lesson: Environmental Awareness
Explanation: By using recyclable materials, the book teaches children about environmental conservation and the importance of reusing resources.
Real-World Application: Children learn to be more environmentally conscious by recycling and repurposing materials in their own homes and communities.