In Brianna’s workshop this morning, we explored paper folding.  I enjoyed this exercise a lot, and got to use the bone folder again.  This project was related to bookmaking, which made me want to revisit bookmaking with more time and patience.  I really appreciated the simplicity of the idea of working with paper and thinking about its basic material qualities by making forms with it.  I think this would be an excellent exercise especially for older students, middle school and above.  As Rimi said, it would be a great addition and introduction to a 3d class or a sculpture unit.  It is also, as the video pointed out, a very economical project because the only material is paper and the tools are very simple.  I could picture doing toward the end of the school year if the supplies were running out too.

The early projects were pretty easy, and I was satisfied with the results:

 

The later projects were tougher.  I loved the idea of making the elliptical folds, but I would have to practice a lot to do them well.  Also, I think that precision and measuring become more important with the more ambitions folds.

I didn’t do well at all on the last one.  I made way too many folds and I think I missed something important.  Here’s a picture:

So I made it into…. a jellyfish‽