Description of the Unit –

Students will develop their fine motor skills while exploring ways to get creative with the ancient art of paper quilling.

Activity statement –

Quilling is the art of manipulating and arranging small strips of paper into detailed designs. Depending on the desired shape and appearance, it can be rolled, looped, twisted, and curled. Glue is used to secure the paper strips into place. Like many forms of craft, paper quilling can trace its origins back hundreds of years to at least the 15th century (maybe earlier). It is believed to have been created by French and Italian nuns to decorate religious objects.

Goals –

Students should…

Understand:

• Paper quilling technique in order to create a variety of basic shapes

Know:

• What paper quilling is and a bit of its history

Be able to:

• Roll and pinch a few basic quilling shapes
• Arrange quilled pieces into a composition

Resources and materials –

• Examples of quilled paper compositions
• Quilling paper in a variety of widths and colors
• Quilling tools
• Glue (like Elmers or ModPodge)
• Glue brushes (makes for easier spreading of glue)
• Cups for water (to leave the glue brushes in while not in use)

Questions –

• (Viewing examples of quilled paper art)
• What shapes can you identify in (X) composition?
• How might you be able to get sharp corners in quilled paper?
• What kinds of designs can you imagine with quilled paper?

Evaluation –

At least one finished piece with at least three different quilled paper shapes

• 8th grade