Paper Dolls

This is a good activity to do for a bunch of different ages. It can be adjusted according to skill level depending on what grade you are teaching. For younger children, cutting and gluing helps with fine motor skills. Older children can measure exact measurements with inches, centimeters, or even millimeters. This would be a good way for older children to learn about proportions and ratios. The end product is something you can keep for a long time, especially if you make it of yourself.

Materials:
- Old manila folders
- Glue
- Pencil
- Scissors

Procedure:

1. Talk about shapes. (Rounded edges are more inviting, sharp edges are more scary, what different shapes are used for, etc.)

2. Punch holes into the ends of each shape (where a hinge will be created).

3. Put glue on a small pin and place a little bit of glue.

4. Overlap two pieces of paper that have been cut out wherever you want a hinge to occur (for example: where you attach the legs to the torso, the arms to the torso, neck to the torso, head to the neck, etc. Pretty much anywhere you want the doll to swivel).

5. You will need to cut out a small circle just big enough to cover each hole for every hole that was punched. Do NOT get any glue on the edges of the circles-- if you do so, the doll won't swivel. It's important to keep the glue in the center of the circle without it touching the edges. Press firmly on top of the circle for 20-30 seconds until the glue has dried with a hard, flat object.

The completed doll might look something like this....

6. Allow students to go back and draw detailed features to make it look more realistic. The doll above has hinges in the head, neck, shoulders, elbows, hands, legs, and shoes.