Objective

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to understand the history of paper mache and different types of glues.

Materials and Prep

• Newspaper
• Water
• All-purpose flour
• White glue
• Paintbrush
• Scissors
• Container for mixing
• Table or workspace

No specific knowledge is required before starting this lesson.

Activities

• Create Paper Mache Paste

  Follow these steps to make your own paper mache paste:

  1. Tear the newspaper into small strips.
  2. In a container, mix equal parts of flour and water to create a paste.
  3. Add a tablespoon of white glue to the paste and mix well.

• Build a Paper Mache Sculpture

  Now that you have the paste ready, use it to create a paper mache sculpture:

  1. Inflate a balloon and place it on your workspace.
  2. Dip the newspaper strips into the paste, making sure they are fully coated.
  3. Layer the coated strips onto the balloon, covering it completely.
  4. Let it dry overnight or until it becomes hard.
  5. Once dry, pop the balloon and carefully remove it from the sculpture.

• Experiment with Different Glues

  Try using different types of glue to see how they affect the paper mache:

  1. Repeat the steps from the previous activity, but this time use different glues such as school glue, wood glue, or glue sticks.
  2. Observe and compare how each glue affects the texture and strength of the paper mache.

Talking Points

• "Paper mache is an art technique that has been used for hundreds of years."
• "It originated in China and was later adopted by other cultures."
• "Paper mache is made by mixing torn pieces of newspaper with a paste."
• "The paste is usually made from flour, water, and glue."
• "The paste helps bind the newspaper together and creates a hard surface when it dries."
• "Different glues can be used in paper mache, and they can affect the texture and strength of the final product."
• "By experimenting with different glues, we can learn which ones work best for our projects."