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Rose 3 Learning Experience - Paper Mache

"Learning Experience" activities and suggestions that will empower and enable you as educators to support multicultural education using the principles laid out in the new ELYF Framework.

Please find below free valuable, insightful and practical ways that multiculturalism may be brought into your early years learning environment on a daily basis using the "Early Years Learning Framework" (EYLF). 

Each article includes:

• Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) Outcomes
• Key Learning Area Links
• Extension Ideas
• Equipment required
• Instructions
• Global Kids Oz Linked Resources

 All articles on this page have been kindly created and modified specifically for Global Kids Oz use by Rebecca Perkins of Rose 3 Learning Experience, all articles are subject to full copywright guidelines and may only be used within a classroom environment and not to be used for any other article content for any other reason, permission to copy or use this content for anything other than a EYLF setting must be approved in writing by Rebecca Perkins of Rose 3 Learning Experience. To access more learning experiences supporting the full ELYF program please contact Rebecca directly on 0402 284 581 or go to her website www.rose3.com.au

Objective:  For children to experience the sensory art technique of paper mache

Equipment  Newspaper ripped roughly into strips. (Tip: keep the lengths about 3cm wide and approximately 15cm long.  This keeps it a little bit more manageable for small fingers)                                                                 Wallpaper paste granules (such as “Celmix”) + small amount craft glue (PVA)   (Beware: glue mix can be tasty for young children!)

Items to paper mache: Balloons (that can be popped and removed), old bowls, vases or containers of different shapes (remember to put cling film on the item for easy removal of mache’ item

Instructions

Mix up the glue to instructions, then it can be watered down a little.  A few granules go along way! Squirt a little bit of craft glue in the mix for strength. Children can help make mix glue and  rip strips of paper, it is easy if your rip ACROSS the newspaper page. 

Let children experience the technique: dip paper in glue mix, scrape off excess and smooth onto surface.

To make an item strong enough they usually need 2 layers minimum and to dry completely between layers

Early Years Learning Framework Outcomes:

Outcome 1: Children -

· develop knowledge and self-confidence through new skill development.

· interact with care, empathy and respect working together with collage materials.

Outcome 2: Children -

· become aware of fairness through sharing materials and experiences.

· respond to diversity with respect through exploration of different cultures and traditions.

Outcome 3: Children develop -

· social and emotional wellbeing through creating and sense of achievement by working together.

Outcome 4: Children develop-

· creativity, imagination, enthusiasm, confidence and  persistence through creating  with paper mache.

· a range of skills and processes such as problem solving, experimentation and investigation.

· learning through connecting people, natural and processed materials.

Outcome 5: Children -

· interact verbally and non-verbally with others through art. Express ideas and make meaning through collage

Key Learning Area Links

Pre-Numeracy (Mathematics)

Problem solving, how to layer strips to cover surface, make sure it’s not too wet.

 Measurement—Length concepts of strips

(shorter/longer than, wide/narrow pieces)

Literacy/Vocabulary (English)

Wide, narrow, long, short, place, on, glue, smooth,   layer, look, feel, tear, sticky, slimy.

Health and Physical Education

Fine motor skills—tearing paper, collaging materials, placing strips and smoothing on items.

Hand Eye coordination collage pieces placement.  

Studies of Society and Environment

How is paper mache used in our society and different cultures.  Piñata—Mexico (and Australia) make Lions Head dragons for Chinese New Year. Paper mache masks where used historically in French celebrations or in the theatre in both Ancient Rome and China.   Masks also feature in celebrations such as Carnival in Venice  and Rio De Janeiro or Carnaval de Ponce in Puerto Rico.          

The Arts

Technique—collage,  paper mache

Medium—newspaper, wallpaper paste glue.

Working with texture, shape and form.

Cultural specific decorations.

 Extension/ Ideas.       

Introduce different media, enhancing the experience: Coloured paper, cellophane or natural items in the mache.  Once the basic paper mache shape is finished collage or paint onto the item to extend creations.                       Try weaving with ripped paper strips

Global Kids Oz linked resources

Chinese Dragon and Lion Marionette

Chinese New Year Book

Off we go to Mexico