Lesson Overview:
Hans Christian Andersen was not only a famous storyteller, he was also a gifted paper cutter. Students will use symmetry to create paper cuttings. Students will cut paper to create scenes from The Emperor's New Clothes. They will create symmetrical movements and write about whether the paper cutting is symmetrical or not.
Length of Lesson:
One 45-minute period
Notes:
This lesson is particularly suitable for grades 3-4.
Instructional Objectives:
Students will:
- use their bodies to create symmetrical movements.
- view paper cuttings by Hans Christian Andersen.
- create paper cuttings using symmetry.
- create cut paper images from The Emperor’s New Clothes.
- write to inform whether the cut paper is symmetrical or not.
Instructional Plan:
Warm Up
Ask the students to copy your movements without any vocal sound. (You are trying to get the students to see symmetry in the movements.) Do a few movements in which the motion on on your right side and the motion on your left side are identical. For example, rotate both your shoulders three times forward. Next, raise both of your arms at the same time and to the same height.
Ask students if they know what math principle is being demonstrated. (Answer: symmetry, when what happens on one side is reflected on the other side.) Ask students what other things have symmetry. Some examples could include the human face, human body, a butterfly, birds, chairs, etc.
Introductory Activity
Have students pair up, face each other, choose a leader to start, and mirror each other's movements. Play slow, calm music in the background. Remind students to move slowly and to make sure that the movements are the same on both sides of the body. Have students do this for about four minutes. The leader position should change several times.
Ask students to think about The Emperor’s New Clothes. What movements can they think of that demonstrate a small event or scene in the story? Give students a few minutes to discuss ideas and share with the class. Then have the pairs create the movements. Examples could include: a servant
measuring the Emperor for the clothes, the Emperor putting on the clothes, the swindlers weaving or sewing, or the Emperor’s parade walk.
Guided Practice
If possible, use the book The Amazing Paper Cuttings of Hans Christian Andersen, to show the students some examples of paper cuttings made by Hans Christian Andersen. He not only told tales, he also carried scissors and paper with him and would cut as he told the story. What he created with scissors often surprised and delighted his audience, so much so that they kept many of his works. Ask students which ones are symmetrical and which ones are not.
Give each student scissors and several plain white pieces of paper. Ask them to fold the paper in half. Model cutting a half heart shape. Remind them to start at the folded edge and cut. Open the heart. Ask students if it is symmetrical and why.
Try a new paper and fold it in half, then fold it in half again so that the paper is divided into fourths. Make the piece of paper rounded by curving the edges with scissors. Then, make random cuts and open. Ask students if this is also symmetrical and why.
Independent Practice
Ask students to think of the movements that they did or saw others do from The Emperor’s New Clothes. Which one do they think can be transfered to a paper cutting? The pictures do not have to be symmetrical. The students may use pencils to create the outlines then cut them out on a pieces of colored paper. Mount finished products, using glue sticks on a contrasting colored backgrounds.
Closure:
Have students write about the paper cutting from The Emperor’s New Clothes. Using the index cards, students should write what the piece is about and whether or not the work is symmetrical. Put each student's cut paper piece and written description on display in the classroom.
Assessment:
Use the Assessment Rubric to evaluate students' work.
Assess the degree to which students meet the following criteria:
- creating a symmetrical movement demonstrating something from The Emperor’s New Clothes.
- cutting paper into a symmetrical design.
- creating a cut paper scene from The Emperor’s New Clothes.
- writing to inform about a cut paper scene and identified it as symmetrical or not symmetrical.
Sources:
Print:
- Bliss, Helen. Craft Workshop: Paper. Crabtree Publishing Company, 1998.
- Brust, Beth Wagner. The Amazing Paper Cuttings of Hans Christian Andersen. Ticknor & Fields Books for Young Readers, 1994.
- Burch, Joann Johansen and Liz Monson. A Fairy Tale Life: A Story About Hans Christian Andersen. Carolrhoda Books, Inc., 1994.
- Fiarotta, Phyllis and Noel. Paper Crafts Around the World. Sterling Publishing Company, 1996.
- Rich, Chris. The Book of Paper Cutting. Sterling Publishing Company, 1996.
- Henry, Sandi. Cut-Paper Play!. Wilson Publishing Company, 1997.
- Wankelman, Willard, Philip Wigg, and Marietta Wigg. A Handbook of Arts and Crafts. Wm. C. Brown Company, 1968.
Authors:
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Mary Beth Bauernschub, Teacher
Kingsford Elementary School
Mitchellville, MD
