REVERSIBLE BOOKMARK – Colour, Kirigami, Measurement

Students use markers to create a monoprint and then use the paper to make a kirigami reversible bookmark. 

Required Time

60 Minutes

Grade Level

Grade 4 to Grade 8

Subject

Language Arts
Mathematics
Visual Arts

Vocabulary

colour kirigami monoprint printing plate

Materials

Marker and Watercolour Paper - 7.6 cm x 22.9 cm (3" x 9") Rulers Pencils Scissors Glue Sticks Plastic Sheet Protectors Cardstock Paper - 21.5 cm x 27.9 cm (8.5" x 11") Plastic Placemats Spray Bottles Paper Towels

Shop Crayola Products

Broad Line Markers, Classic Colours, 10 Count
Pointed Tip Metal Scissors
Ultra-Clean Washable Broad Line Markers, Assorted Colours, 16 Count

Steps

REVERSIBLE BOOKMARK – Colour, Kirigami, Measurement - Step One

Step One

  1. Draw a rectangle 15.2 cm x 22.9 cm (6" x 9") in the centre of a piece of cardstock paper. 
  2. Place the cardstock paper inside a plastic sheet protector. This will be your printing plate.
  3. Place the printing plate on your desk with the rectangle facing up.
  4. Use the flat side of the markers to draw a design on the plastic surface.
  5. Draw the design to fit the rectangle.
  6. Use lots of colour. 
REVERSIBLE BOOKMARK – Colour, Kirigami, Measurement - Step Two

Step Two

  1. Make sure the spray bottle is set so it gives a fine mist spray.
  2. Lightly spray a fine mist of water over the marker design.
REVERSIBLE BOOKMARK – Colour, Kirigami, Measurement - Step Three

Step Three

  1. Place a piece of printing paper on top of the wet ink. (Marker and Watercolour paper 15.2 cm x 22.9 cm)
  2. Place a piece of scrap paper on top of the printing paper.
  3. Gently rub the entire surface.
REVERSIBLE BOOKMARK – Colour, Kirigami, Measurement - Step Four

Step Four

  1. Remove the paper from the printing plate.
  2. Allow the paper to dry for about a minute.
REVERSIBLE BOOKMARK – Colour, Kirigami, Measurement - Step Five

Step Five

  1. Place the paper on your desk with the colour side facing up.
  2. ​Fold the paper in half lengthwise (long end to long end).
  3. Fold it in half lengthwise again. 
  4. Lightly draw a line parallel to the long side of the paper 1 cm from the open edge.
  5. Measure and mark 2 cm spaces along the line.
  6. Measure and mark 2 cm spaces along the fold so that they are exactly opposite the other marks.
  7. Draw a line on an angle from the first 2 cm mark on the folded edge to the 4 cm mark on the line.
  8. Continue drawing lines 2 cm apart on an angle, and parallel to the first line until you get to the end. 
REVERSIBLE BOOKMARK – Colour, Kirigami, Measurement - Step Six

Step Six

  1. ​Cut along the lines, starting at the fold and stopping at the line.

 

REVERSIBLE BOOKMARK – Colour, Kirigami, Measurement - Step Seven

Step Seven

  1. Open the paper and gently flatten it.
  2. Fold the paper in half lengthwise with the colour facing out.
  3. Place the paper on your desk with the arrow shapes pointing up.
REVERSIBLE BOOKMARK – Colour, Kirigami, Measurement - Step Eight

Step Eight

  1.  Begin at the top.
  2. Each arrow shape will have 2 layers.
  3. Fold the first arrow shape down and crease it firmly at the sides.
REVERSIBLE BOOKMARK – Colour, Kirigami, Measurement - Step Nine

Step Nine

  1.  Look to the edge of the cuts for the 2nd arrow below the 1st arrow.
  2. Fold that arrow down.
REVERSIBLE BOOKMARK – Colour, Kirigami, Measurement - Step Ten

Step Ten

  1. Open the first arrow.
    - It looks like a little bird's open mouth.
REVERSIBLE BOOKMARK – Colour, Kirigami, Measurement - Step Eleven

Step Eleven

  1. Insert the 2nd arrow between the layers of the first arrow.
  2. Fold the top layer of the 1st arrow down.
  3. The 2nd arrow should be tucked between the 2 layers of the first arrow.
REVERSIBLE BOOKMARK – Colour, Kirigami, Measurement - Step Twelve

Step Twelve

  1. Continue in this way until you have folded all the arrow shapes.
REVERSIBLE BOOKMARK – Colour, Kirigami, Measurement - Step Thirteen

Step Thirteen

  1. Use a glue stick to fasten the edges of the paper and the ends of the arrows in place.
REVERSIBLE BOOKMARK – Colour, Kirigami, Measurement - Step Fourteen

Step Fourteen

  1. Trim the triangle at the bottom.

Learning Goals

Students will be able to:

  1. Create a monoprint using marker and water printmaking techniques;
  2. Create a kirigami reversible bookmark;
  3. Use colour expressively;
  4. Measure, fold and cut accurately;
  5. Demonstrate technical accomplishment and creativity.
  6. Support their ideas with evidence found in the artworks.

Extensions

Have students:

  1. Explore printmaking with marker ink using the lesson plans available on this website.
    Exploring Line
    A Tale for All
    Decorated Pages
  2. Explore colour symbolism using the lesson plan available on this website.
    Colour Around the World

Prepare

  1. Download the Colour poster available on this website.
    Posters 
  2. Organize materials to use for a demonstration.
  3. Create a sample bookmark.
  4. Pre-cut paper 15.2 cm x 22.8 cm (6"x 9") - 1 per student.

Introduction

  1. Introduce the idea of printmaking to students by talking about what happens when they walk through a puddle and then onto dry ground. The marks their shoes make are prints – relief prints.
  2. Ask what other types of prints students might know about.
  3. Explain that there are many different ways to make prints including monoprints, which are unique because they only produce one image of the print, rather then many. 
  4. Discuss the element of colour and characteristics of colours, for example, warm and cool colours, bright and dull colours, light and dark colours.
  5. Discuss how colours can be used to express different feelings, such as calm, happiness, excitement. (Downloads – CulturalColour.pdf)
  6. Show and discuss your sample.
  7. Introduce the challenge.

Activities

The Challenge

  1. Create a monoprint using marker and water printmaking techniques.
  2. Create a kirigami reversible bookmark.
  3. Use colour expressively.
  4. Measure, fold and cut accurately.
  5. Demonstrate technical accomplishment and creativity.
  6. Support your ideas with evidence found in the artworks.

The Process

  1. Make sure everyone understands the challenge.
  2. Establish success criteria with your students, for example,
    I know I am successful when I have:
    - measured accurately
    - cut and folded the paper accurately
    - created a kirigami bookmark
    - used colour to express a feeling
    - created a monoprint with marker and water
    - created a bookmark that is in good condition
  3. Guide students through the steps outlined in this lesson plan.
  4. Encourage students to think of how they can use contrast to create areas of emphasis.
  5. Observe students as they work. 
  6. Provide individual assistance and encouragement.

Sharing

  1. Place students into partners.
  2. Ask them to: 
    - Share their bookmarks and take turns discussing the things that are especially effective and why.
    - Talk about how the colours express a feeling.
    - Talk about what they found difficult and what they found easy to do.
  3. Share ideas with the whole class. 
  4. Ask students to tell how they felt about doing this project.

Assessment

  1. Observe students as they work – thoughtful focus, discriminating, seeking more information, elaborating, experimenting
  2. Observe students as they share and discuss their bookmarks – active listening, insightful contributions, supporting ideas with evidence found in the artwork and the stories, and from personal experience.
  3. Use a checklist to track progress. (Downloads - Kirigami_tracking.pdf)
  4. Have students use the self-assessment form to reflect on their work. (Downloads - Kirigami_self-assessment.pdf)                   

Downloads

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A TALE FOR ALL – Printmaking, Storytelling, Audience

DECORATED PAGES – Stencil Print, Colour, Pattern