Click here to pick up Activity Sheets!

Creativity basket tips for the week:  
Variety of things made from paper.
Wood or trees to observe.
Magnifying glass if possible.
Containers with recycle logo.
Sponge.

To make a real mold:  mesh screen (home center store), embroidery hoop or wooden frame (flat, simple picture frame works well), strong stapler.

Plastic dishpan to soak paper shreds and to hold water + pulp if you will be making paper.
Blender if available.

Work over a towel or plastic tablecloth.

We love making paper together.  There's something almost magical about shredding used paper and transforming it into something "new" and beautiful!  This special Butterfly School series gives you step by step Activity Sheets.  Enjoy them as a story, try some of the steps, or follow along to make your own recycled paper.  It's up to you! 

Young children:  It might seem amazing but you can do this with young children!  Demonstrate for the very young (under 3) -- but encourage them to tear paper, feel the wet pulp, hold your hands as you form a sheet of paper, check on the sheet as it dries. 

We recommend that you prepare the paper mold when you are by yourself.  It will be quicker.  You can then use the Activity Sheets to show your child how molds are made.  For a very simple mold, stretch screen across an embroidery hoop.  (More below.)  You can purchase a soft and flexible screen or a stiffer wire screen.  Carefully secure all edges of any scratchy screening.

Here are some tips from my kitchen table to yours . . .

For more great ideas, check out the activities at our parent site www.shininghours.com.  

There's lots to do inside when it is cold outside.  Enjoy other subjects with our friendly caterpillars and butterflies.   You might like to help caterpillars have fun while they rest to get over a cold!

You are ready for the Activity Sheets now; you can print them from here (go to Activity Sheets), or go back to the Butterfly School home page.

From Butterfly Central,

-- Jessica Steigerwald

E-mail ideas and comments to: butterflycentral@shininghours.com

Preview these Activity Sheets before you begin the series with your child.  There are two ways to approach the set:  as a story about how paper is made, or as a step-by-step guide for making paper with your child.    

Before you begin, share your goal with your child.  Either explain that you will be watching Owen and Sabine make recycled paper, or explain that you will be playing along at home.

The sheets are designed so that you can follow them at a slow pace, completing just one step each day in order to make paper over the course of a week.  You could also decide to compress the sheets into a fun weekend activity.  

If you are working with very young children, I recommend that you use the series as a story but try to bring the pictures "to life." Enjoy tearing paper and exploring how it feels when it soaks in water.

Observing On the Go!    Wherever you go, look for trees.  Discuss how one tree is made of millions of tiny fibers.  Explain that big things are made of small parts, some of which we can't even see!

Sensory experiences:  Children of all ages will enjoy tearing paper and soaking it in water.  Ask how the paper feels when it is dry & wet.  How does dry paper sound?  When we shred it?  When we crumple it?  What about when it is wet?

Safety first:  If you demonstrate a blender, be careful!  Stress safety first.  Encourage children to keep their hands held together well out of the blender area.  Another good observing posture is with hands resting at one's side or held behind your back.  Children must never reach their hands inside a blender.  The blades are sharp and dangerous even when the blender is off!

This is a great week to make a paper collection!  Use samples of paper around your home to make a paper collage or scrapbook.