Paper Magic: Snowflake Kirigami
Never before have I seen paper snowflakes quite so inspiring!
A few kirigami-themed books from the library outlined easy ways to amp up your flake-making abilities and the results were lovely.
We hung a few of the delicate ones from a tree branch.
It just so happens they are sitting atop a heat register, so they flutter every time the furnace kicks in!
We attempted the Snowflake Tree as well, http://miniatures.about.com/od/christmasminiatures/ss/Make-Miniature-Winter-Trees-From-Paper-Snowflakes_9.htm but ours was not so successful!
In this first book, The Art of Decorative Paper Stencils, the artist travels the world in search of inspiration.
In addition to a large scale image of the final cut, a simple drawing on the bottom, outlines where you need to snip to see the results.
The second book, Creative Paper Cutting, outlines some variations of folding methods, and simple lines drawings to demonstrate the process.
After folding your square in half to create a triangle, you then fold in both left and right corners at 60 degrees before making the cut.
Accordion folds also create symmetrical patterns.
Rectangle to Square
Lessons as simple shapes (how to make a square from a rectangular piece of paper,) to more advanced lessons such as symmetry, angles and degrees.
O was less interested in the kirigami and more interested in scurrying to pick up the scrap bits of paper falling to create miniature masterpieces!! I was in awe of the shapes she found in the scrap pile!
EXPAND ON SNOWFLAKE-MAKING
Crystals. This is a beautiful science experiment http://nurturestore.co.uk/how-to-grow-crystals-with-alum-easy-kids-science-project
Math. Take a look at fractions! http://playfullearning.net/2015/02/snowflake-math/