Papier-Mâché Fun! Teacher Script

Introduction (5 minutes)

(Teacher speaks)

"Good morning/afternoon, artists! Today, we're going to dive into a really cool art technique that lets us turn ordinary materials into amazing 3D sculptures. Has anyone ever seen a sculpture or an object that looked like it was made from paper, but it was hard and held its shape?"

"(Pause for responses). That's awesome! Today, we're going to learn about something called papier-mâché! It's a French word that means 'chewed paper,' but don't worry, we won't be doing any actual chewing!"

(Display Papier-Mâché Fun! Slide Deck - Slide 2: What is Papier-Mâché?)

"Papier-mâché is a fantastic way to create strong, lightweight 3D forms using just strips of paper and a special paste. Artists have used it for centuries to make everything from decorative masks to puppets and even furniture. It's a super versatile art form, and the best part is, it's really fun!"

"Today, our goal is to learn the basic steps of papier-mâché and start creating our own small 3D sculptures. You'll be using your creativity to turn simple shapes into something unique and wonderful."

(Display Papier-Mâché Fun! Slide Deck - Slide 3: Gather Your Tools!)

"Before we get started, let's quickly look at the materials we'll be working with. We have pre-cut newspaper strips, a special flour and water paste, and different 'armatures' – these are the base shapes, like balloons, crumpled paper, or cardboard, that we'll build our sculptures on. Later, when our creations are dry, we'll get to use paint and brushes to bring them to life with color!"

Building the Form (15 minutes)

(Display Papier-Mâché Fun! Slide Deck - Slide 4: Let's Build It! (Steps 1-3))

"Alright, let's see how this works. I'm going to demonstrate the first few steps, and then it will be your turn to create. Pay close attention!"

(Teacher Demonstrates: Hold up a strip of newspaper.)

"First, you take a strip of newspaper. See? Just a simple piece."

(Teacher Demonstrates: Dip the strip into the paste.)

"Next, you dip the entire strip into the paste. Make sure it's fully coated!"

(Teacher Demonstrates: Wipe off excess paste.)

"Now, this is an important step: gently slide the strip between your fingers to wipe off any extra paste. We want the paper to be wet, but not dripping! Too much paste makes a big mess and takes a very long time to dry."

(Teacher Demonstrates: Apply the strip to an armature.)

"Finally, you carefully lay the paste-covered strip smoothly over your armature. You can use a balloon, some crumpled paper, or a cardboard shape. Try to get it as smooth as you can, pressing out any air bubbles."

(Display Papier-Mâché Fun! Slide Deck - Slide 5: Layer Up! (Steps 4-5))

"You'll continue this process, layering strips one over the other, overlapping them a little bit. We want to cover our entire armature, building up a few layers so it's strong. Think about the shape you're trying to make as you add your layers."

(Display Papier-Mâché Fun! Slide Deck - Slide 6: Pro Tips for Success!)

"Here are a few 'Pro Tips' to help you out: Remember, don't drown it! Just enough paste to get the paper wet. Smooth it out! Try to flatten out any wrinkles or air bubbles. Cover everything! Make sure your armature is completely hidden. And most importantly, be patient! Art takes time and practice."

"Now it's your turn! I'll hand out your armatures, newspaper, and paste. Get creative, and I'll be walking around to help if you have any questions or need some tips. Let's make some awesome art!"

**(Distribute materials. Circulate and provide individual guidance as students work on their Papier-Mâché Activity.)
**

Initial Drying & Discussion (5 minutes)

(As the time nears the end for this section, gently bring students' attention back.)

"Alright, artists, let's start to wrap up our building phase for today. Please carefully bring your papier-mâché sculptures to the designated drying area over here. They need to dry completely before we can add any color."

"While you're doing that, let's have a quick chat. What was the trickiest part about working with papier-mâché today?"

"(Pause for responses). That's a great observation. And what was something you really enjoyed or found easy?"

"(Pause for responses). Excellent!"

Planning for Decoration (5 minutes)

(Display Papier-Mâché Fun! Slide Deck - Slide 7: What Happens Next?)

"So, as you heard, your amazing sculptures need to dry. This might take several hours or even overnight, depending on how many layers you used and how much paste you applied. But once they are completely dry and hard, we'll get to the really exciting part: decorating them with paint!"

(Display Papier-Mâché Fun! Slide Deck - Slide 8: Imagine Your Masterpiece!)

"For the last few minutes, I want you to start imagining what your masterpiece will look like once it's dry. What colors are you excited to use? Will your sculpture be a creature, a specific object like a fruit, or something totally abstract and imaginative? You can even jot down some ideas in your art journal, or just think about it quietly. This is your chance to plan the finishing touches!"

(Allow a few minutes for quiet reflection/planning. Refer to the Papier-Mâché Art Journal for a specific prompt.)

"Okay everyone, let's start our clean-up. Please make sure all newspaper scraps go in the trash, and any paste containers are sealed. Wash your hands thoroughly. Great job today, artists! I can't wait to see your dried creations and what you do with them next time!"

Papier-Mâché Fun! Activity Guide

Welcome to the world of 3D art! Today, you're going to create your very own sculpture using newspaper and paste. Follow these steps carefully to make an awesome papier-mâché masterpiece!

Materials You'll Use:

• Newspaper strips
• Flour and water paste
• Your armature (balloon, crumpled paper, or cardboard shape)
• Table covers to keep your workspace clean!

Your Mission:

To cover your armature completely with layers of papier-mâché, making it smooth and strong!

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Prepare Your Space: Make sure your table is covered with plastic or newspaper. This can get a little messy, and that's part of the fun!

2. Choose Your Armature: You'll be given a base shape, like a balloon, some crumpled paper, or a cardboard form. This is the skeleton of your sculpture.

3. Dip the Strip: Take one strip of newspaper and dip it fully into the paste. Make sure it's completely wet!

4. Wipe Off Excess: Gently pull the strip between two of your fingers to squeeze off any extra paste. We want the paper to be wet, but not dripping! Too much paste means a long drying time and a weaker sculpture.

5. Apply to Armature: Carefully lay the paste-covered strip onto your armature. Smooth it down with your fingers, trying to get rid of any air bubbles or wrinkles.

6. Layer, Layer, Layer! Continue dipping, wiping, and applying strips. Overlap each strip a little bit, like scales on a fish. You want to cover your entire armature with at least 2-3 layers to make it strong.

7. Focus on Form: As you add layers, think about the shape you are creating. Are you making a round ball? A pointy mountain? A bumpy creature? Try to maintain the form you want.

8. Smooth Finish: Do your best to make the final layer as smooth as possible. This will help when it's time to paint!

What's Next?

Once you've finished layering your papier-mâché, you'll place it in the designated drying area. It needs to dry completely, which will take a while. After it's dry and hard, we'll get to decorate your amazing creation with colorful paints!

Papier-Mâché Art Journal: Designing My Masterpiece

After working on your 3D papier-mâché sculpture, it's time to think about how you'll bring it to life with color and details!

Use this journal to plan out your decoration ideas while your sculpture dries.

Journal Prompts:

1. Describe Your Sculpture: What shape did your papier-mâché sculpture become? Use at least three descriptive words.
   
   
   
   
   
   

2. Color Palette: What colors are you planning to use to paint your sculpture? Why did you choose these colors? (Think about emotions, nature, or your favorite colors!)
   
   
   
   
   
   

3. My Vision: Will your sculpture become a specific animal, object, or something entirely from your imagination? Describe what it will be and any special details you want to add (like spots, stripes, eyes, patterns).
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

4. Before & After: How do you think adding paint will change the look and feel of your sculpture? What are you most excited to see?