The other teachers at school were great! Several of them gave me their old papers to use for Paper Mache. I let them know I had some big ideas and they let me have their junk, lol. All last week I was given gifts of paper, cardboard boxes and tubes, and even some interesting packing materials with unique shapes.
So what I am doing with it? My first project is a life-sized dinosaur!
During our dinosaur unit last year I drew and painted a dinosaur to go on the wall outside my classroom. This was actually part of a math project. The kids were able to measure themselves and see how tall they were compared to it.
But I wanted to do something really special for the Kindergarten next year so I decided to paper mache the dinosaur! I decided on a Pachycephalosauria (bonus points if you can pronounce the name).
Instead of creating a wooden frame and using wire, tinfoil, or other materials to make the armature, I am making the internal structure form paper mache balls. The larger portions are simply balloons covered with a couple layers of paper. I will connect and build onto these as I go.
This will make the dinosaur lighter and easier to transport. Also, if a student manages to tip it over it won't hurt anything.
I made few balls to get started and worked on the hear this morning! This will be the basic form for its upper jaw and head plate. Large Duplo Lego's make the best adjustable supports.
