Level: Primary, Junior, Middle School
Grade: K-2, Grades 3-5, Grades 6-8
Written by:
Karen West [Karen is from Westfield, MA.]
Summary:
Students will learn about Japanese culture as they create hand fans using paper and paint.
What You Need:
- 12×18 white paper
- watercolors
- paintbrushes
- fans or pictures of fans
- Popsicle sticks
- tape
What You Do:
- Discuss uses of fans such as functional and artistic uses.
- Fold paper in half horizontally or – as I tell the students – like a book.
- You may want to first make a template if doing this with younger students. On the folded side draw half of a fan shape (like an arch) and cut. The piece will resemble an arch shape.
- Lightly draw an image from nature. My students drew leaning trees with branches and leaves.
- Using watercolor, make bold brush strokes. I emphasized using a quick brush stroke to fill in leaves.
- Let dry.
- Fold the paper back and forth, creasing each time. Gather the paper together to form the fan and staple or glue.
- Tape to wooden craft sticks together to form a handle.
- Display the finished fans.
About Hand Fans: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hand_fan
Explore Japan (National Geographic Kids): https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/explore/countries/japan/
Photo of students: Masami Tuko
