Stained Glass Paper Screen Craft

Students will create a small scale stained glass screen using paper.

By Andrea Mulder-Slater

Identification:

Students will be directed to observe the shapes and lines that make up a stained glass window.

Historical:

Students will look at stained glass used in churches and see the detail and beauty of these works of art.

Creation:

Appreciation:

Students will learn to appreciate the art created not only by them, but by others as well.

Discuss stained glass. How did the craftspeople of yesterday make stained glass. How do they make it today?
Provide each student with one large sheet of black construction paper.
The construction paper should be folded into three sections. These sections will form the screen.
Students can decide what shape they want their screen – square top, triangle top, etc.
Using scrap paper and pencil, students can sketch a few ideas. These ideas can be based on actual stained glass works but ideally the designs should be original to each student.
When ready, students can draw their design ideas on the black construction paper, remembering that they will be cutting the middle sections out of their designs.
White chalk can be used to draw the outlines on the black paper.
Once the outlines are drawn, students can then cut away the middle areas, leaving a black line of paper.
Tissue paper which has been carefully torn into pieces, can be glued in the middle areas. Students should choose colors that make them feel good.
Let the screen dry and display on tables or hang from the ceiling in front of a window.
Discuss the completed works with your students. Why did they choose the shapes the did? How did they enjoy creating paper stained glass? How is paper stained glass different from the real thing? How is it similar?

Stained Glass Paper Screen