Home PageContents Home PageContentsMaterials: Rectangles of paper approximately 3" x 11" and scissors.
Presentation:
Show children how to:
1. Fold the paper in half, forming a rectangle 1 1/2" x 11".
2. Cut alternately 1/4 inch wide cuts to within 1/4" of the edge, cutting first from the fold toward the edge and then from the edge toward the fold. It is not necessary to draw lines. The children judge distance by eye.
This is a good exercise in cutting accurately. When the cuts are completed, open the paper and pull on both ends. Ends can be taped or glued together to form a longer chain.
VARIATIONS
1. Use paper approximately 6" x 11" and fold in half twice, forming a rectangle 1 1/2" x 11". Cut as in previous exercise, unfold, and pull on both ends.
2. Take squares of paper and fold into quarters diagonally, forming a right-angled isoceles triangle. Cut alternately from folded edges to within 1/4" of opposite edge.
3. This is also fun to try with any even sided polygon (i.e. a hexagon), folding into triangles before cutting from each side to within 1/4" of opposite edge.