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An easy and fun way to teach children about the history of paper, is by making some!
Making paper is probably easier than you might think, and it's just messy enough to keep the kids interested without being too much for the parents to clean up.
For this project, we will need the following:
a few sheets of newspaper
a large bowl
some water
some food color (Optional)
some small pieces of window screen. (The size of the window screen will be the size of the paper when you are finished.
some bowls and something to stir with
Step 1)
Have the children rip the paper into 1/4 - 1/2 inch squares.
Place the paper into the bowls with water and stir so all the paper is wet and becomes sludgy.
Step 2) *optional*
If using food coloring to make colored paper, add a drop or two now.
step 3)
Dip the pieces of window screen into the water so they are completely covered. Lift them out and place in a warm sunny place until the paper is dry.
step 4)
Carefully peel the paper off the screen and use!
That's it!!
You have just made paper much like the ancient Chinese did.
The only real difference is the Chinese used rags or bark to make paper with. We cheated a little by using paper already made but the principle is the same.
If you want to experiment, try adding different substances to the paper to get different results.
Powdered chalk is one item often added to paper to make it easier to write on.
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