Suggested Grades
3+
Objective
Students will learn about the process of making paper and another method of recycling through making their own paper.
Materials
- tacks
- fine screen (about 30 mesh)
- wood and nails
- rolling pin
- laundry starch
- egg beater
- blotting paper
- several types of paper products (cardboard, newspaper, photocopy paper, etc.)
- a large tub or pail to make the paper pulp
Method
- Build a wooden frame, about the same size as you would like the paper to be.
- Tack the screen onto the frame.
- Tear sheets of paper products into small pieces less than 2 inches (5 cm) in diameter and put the pieces in a large tub or pail.
- Add water and laundry soap in proportions of 1 tbsp of starch per cup of water to the torn paper.
- Beat the mixture with an egg beater until the pulp is the consistency of a very light gravy.
- Dip the deckle sideways into the pulp mixture until the screen is completely coated with a light layer of pulp.
- Remove the screen and the sheet of pulp from the deckle and place between two pieces of blotting paper.
- Press out the excess water with a rolling pin or and allow to dry.
- Peel the new paper from the blotting paper and trim to size.
- Variation Try adding thread, yarn, glitter or coloured construction paper to the pulp mixture. It has quite an interesting effect.