Winter Lantern Wonders Script

Introduction & Inspiration (5 minutes)

(Display the example lantern. Begin with Slide 1: 'Winter Lantern Wonders!')

"Good morning/afternoon, everyone! As the days get shorter and winter settles in, there's something truly magical about light, isn't there? It brings warmth, comfort, and a beautiful glow. Today, we're going to create some of that magic ourselves with a super fun and creative craft!"

(Transition to Slide 2: 'What Are We Making?')

"We're going to dive into the world of paper crafting and make our very own Winter Lanterns! These aren't just any lanterns; they'll be a reflection of your own unique style and can add a lovely, soft glow to any room, especially during these darker months."

"This project is all about exploring your creativity and getting a little hands-on. By the end of this session, you'll have a beautiful, intricate lantern that you made yourself. Sounds good?"

(Transition to Slide 3: 'Materials Check')

"Before we begin, let's quickly make sure we have all our materials ready. You'll need some paper—either white or a light blue works wonderfully for a winter theme—scissors, a glue stick or tape, a ruler, and a pencil. For decoration, we'll have some optional items like glitter, cotton balls for snow, tissue paper for color, and markers. And if you have a small battery-operated tea light at home, you can put it inside your finished lantern to really make it glow!"

(Transition to Slide 4: 'Our Creative Journey')

"Our journey to creating these lanterns will involve a few key steps: First, we'll measure and mark our paper carefully. Then, we'll cut and fold it to create the basic lantern structure. After that comes the fun part: decorating it with your winter magic! Finally, we'll assemble everything to bring your beautiful lantern to life."

(Transition to Slide 5: 'Winter Inspiration')

"Now, for some inspiration! When you think of winter, what images come to mind? Snowflakes? Icy patterns? The warm glow of a cozy window? Maybe bare trees against a cold sky, or even stars twinkling brightly? Feel free to let any of these ideas guide your design. Your lantern can be as simple or as detailed as you like."

Lantern Creation (20 minutes)

(Transition to Slide 6: 'Time to Create!')

"Alright, let's get started! I've handed out an Activity: Winter Lantern Wonders guide that has all the detailed instructions for you to follow. Take your time with the measuring and cutting – precision here will make your lantern look even better."

"Remember, you can decorate your lantern with snowflakes, draw winter scenes, or add some glitter for sparkle. Don't be afraid to experiment! If you have any questions or get stuck at any point, just raise your hand and I'll come around to help."

(Circulate the classroom, offering assistance and encouragement.)

"That's looking fantastic!"
"Remember to press your folds firmly."
"Anyone need a little more glue over here?"
"Think about how you can use those optional materials to really make your design pop!"

Share & Reflect (5 minutes)

(As students are finishing, transition to Slide 7: 'Share Your Light!')

"Wonderful work, everyone! As you put the finishing touches on your lanterns, let's take a moment to share what you've created. Who would like to show off their winter lantern and tell us a little bit about their design?"

(Allow a few students to share.)

"That's beautiful! What inspired you to choose that particular design?"
"I love how you used the tissue paper there – very creative!"

"What was your favorite part of making the lantern? Was anything particularly challenging?"

"These are all truly unique and spectacular! You've really captured the essence of winter's beauty. When you take these home, you can place a small battery-operated tea light inside to give it a soft, warm glow. It's perfect for a desktop or a shelf during these chilly months."

(Transition to Slide 8: 'Keep Shining Bright!')

"Thank you all for your amazing creativity and hard work today. I hope you enjoy your new Winter Lantern Wonders! Keep shining bright!"

Winter Lantern Wonders: Craft Activity

Unleash your inner artist and create a beautiful paper lantern to brighten up your winter days!

Materials You'll Need:

• 1 sheet of white or light blue paper (e.g., construction paper, cardstock)
• Scissors
• Ruler
• Pencil
• Glue stick or tape
• Optional decorative items: glitter, cotton balls, tissue paper, markers, colored pencils

Instructions:

Step 1: Prepare Your Paper

1. Take your sheet of paper. If it's 8.5 x 11 inches, place it horizontally (landscape orientation).
2. Measure and draw a line 1 inch from the top edge, going all the way across the paper. This will be your 'handle' or top strip.
3. Measure and draw another line 1 inch from the bottom edge, going all the way across. This will be your 'base' strip.

Step 2: Create the Lantern Body

1. Along the middle section of your paper (between the two 1-inch lines you just drew), draw vertical lines every 0.5 to 1 inch apart. Start from the top 1-inch line and go down to the bottom 1-inch line. Do NOT cut the 1-inch strips at the top and bottom!
2. Carefully cut along these vertical lines. You will end up with many parallel slits in your paper, leaving the top and bottom 1-inch strips intact.

Step 3: Decorate Your Lantern (Optional, but Recommended!)

This is where your winter creativity comes in!

• Snowflakes: Use markers or colored pencils to draw small snowflakes or winter patterns on the uncut 1-inch strips at the top and bottom, or on the vertical strips of the lantern body.
• Snowy Effect: Glue small cotton balls along the top or bottom edges to create a snowy border.
• Sparkle: Add a touch of glitter along the edges or on drawn patterns for a shimmery effect.
• Inner Glow: If you have thin tissue paper, you could glue it on the inside of the lantern (after forming it) to create a softer, diffused light effect.

Step 4: Assemble Your Lantern

1. Bring the two shorter ends of your paper together (the 8.5-inch sides if using 8.5x11 paper). The cut strips should now be curved into a cylinder shape.
2. Overlap the ends by about 1 inch.
3. Apply glue or tape along one of the overlapping edges.
4. Carefully press the edges together to form a cylinder. Make sure the top and bottom 1-inch strips are aligned.

Step 5: Finishing Touches

1. Gently push down on the top of your lantern so that the slits bow outwards, giving your lantern its classic round shape.
2. If you wish to add a handle, cut a thin strip of paper (about 0.5 inches by 6 inches) and glue or tape each end to the top rim of your lantern.
3. Important: If you plan to use a light source, ensure it's a battery-operated tea light or LED. Never use real candles or flames with paper lanterns!