A few years ago a I attended a professional development workshop led by a brilliant art educator. The focus was what could be made on the inside of a folded cut paper, three-sided box. Animal habitats for a science integration is one great use of these paper boxes or "backdrops." During the workshop, however, I was intrigued by the outside of the cut paper backdrop or stand. I actually made a peacock with the cut paper stand serving as the base of support for the large cut paper bird. That evolved into the paper stand or backdrop being used for other things. It is a great base for a study involving the traditional dress of the world's countries. In one of the photos below you see cut paper women from Japan wearing traditional kimonos. What a great literacy connection can be made with this art project and Suki's Kimono, written by Chieri Uegaki and Stephane Jorisch! You also see traditional cut paper men in traditional costume from Mexico that would be a great literacy integration with The Pot that Juan Built, written by Nancy Andrews-Goebel and illustrated by David Diaz, a delightful book about the making of clay pottery in Mexico. These would also be good for a unique study in self portraits, also with a literacy integration.
