Altered Books & Paper Engineering

Overview

This 60-minute class introduces Grade 9 students to the creative possibilities of altered books and paper engineering, focusing on developing design skills aligned with the Newfoundland and Labrador Visual Arts Curriculum (grade 9) under the Design Strand. Students will practise applying art techniques and understand the safety protocols for handling tools and materials.

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Curriculum Connections

Strand: Design
Achievement Indicators:

• Apply art skills and techniques to create art for various audiences and purposes (N.L. Visual Arts Curriculum, Grade 9, Design).
• Practise safety associated with proper care of materials and tools.

Competencies:

• Use appropriate art vocabulary to communicate artistic ideas and processes.
• Demonstrate problem solving and creativity in artmaking aligned to audience and purpose.
• Exhibit safe and responsible use of artistic tools and materials.

Authorized Resources Used:

• Design Basics Index by Jim Krause (2004) for composition and design principles
• Supplementary Posters from Change Constant Poster Series (2019) for thematic inspiration

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Learning Objectives

By the end of this session, students will:

1. Understand the concept of altered books and basic paper engineering techniques.
2. Apply safe tool usage practices when cutting and manipulating paper.
3. Create a simple pop-up or folded paper element as a form of artistic expression for a specific audience or purpose.
4. Reflect on how design choices affect visual impact and functionality.

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Materials Required

• Old books or thick paper/cardstock
• Scissors, craft knives (safety blades), and cutting mats
• Glue sticks and adhesive tapes
• Rulers, pencils, and erasers
• Colour markers, coloured paper, and decorative materials
• Safety gloves (optional) and aprons

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Lesson Sequence

Introduction (10 minutes)

• Engage: Begin by showing examples/images of altered books and paper engineering projects (simple pop-ups, folding mechanisms). Briefly discuss purpose—storytelling, art exhibition, personal journals.
• Discuss Safety: Review proper handling and safety with scissors and craft knives. Emphasise careful supervision and workspace safety.
• Learning Target: Connect today’s work to curriculum expectations of using skills for a specific audience and purpose.

Exploration & Modelling (15 minutes)

• Demonstrate two basic paper engineering techniques:
  • Pop-up tab: Cutting and folding paper to create a tab that pops up when the page opens.
  • Folded layers: Creating layered folds for 3D effect.
• Show principles of good design composition referencing Krause’s Design Basics Index: balance, contrast, and focal points.

Student Activity (25 minutes)

• Students select a page from an old book or thick paper and plan a simple altered design incorporating pop-ups or folds.
• Encourage creativity—decorations, writings, thematic content inspired by Change Constant posters or personal interest.
• Circulate to support tool safety and offer design guidance.
• Students begin creating their altered pages applying the techniques discussed.

Reflection & Clean-Up (10 minutes)

• Students share their work-in-progress with a partner, explaining design choices and intended audience/purpose.
• Reflect on the safety practices used and challenges faced.
• Group clean-up emphasizing shared responsibility for tool storage and workspace safety.

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Differentiation Strategies

• For Diverse Learners:

  • Offer pre-cut templates for those with fine motor skill challenges.
  • Provide one-on-one guided assistance during cutting/folding stages.
  • Use visual step-by-step charts illustrating paper engineering steps.

• For English Language Learners:

  • Use clear visual cues and demonstrations.
  • Provide bilingual vocabulary cards with key terms (e.g., fold, cut, glue).

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Extension Activities for Advanced Learners

• Design and construct a multi-page mini altered book, incorporating multiple paper engineering techniques and more complex mechanisms such as pop-up levers or rotating wheels.
• Create a “flip book” animation sequence applying principles from The Animation Bible to build moving images using altered book pages.
• Develop an artist statement explaining their artistic choices for exhibition or portfolio.

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Assessment

• Formative: Observation of safe use of tools, creativity, and application of design principles during project work.
• Self-Assessment: Students complete a quick exit slip answering: “What did I learn about using altered books as art? How did I ensure safety today?”
• Peer Assessment: Students give positive feedback focused on design effectiveness and craftsmanship during partner sharing.

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Teacher Notes

• Prepare safety guidelines and review before starting activities each session involving blades.
• Prioritize student safety—have first aid available and ensure supervision during use of craft knives.
• Reinforce Newfoundland and Labrador curriculum emphasis on purposeful artistic expression and creative problem solving.
• Integrate environmental consciousness by upcycling old books and paper materials supporting sustainable art practices.

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This lesson invites students to explore their three-dimensional design sensibilities as well as their narrative creativity, aligned precisely with the Newfoundland and Labrador Visual Arts curriculum while fostering a safe, inclusive, and inspiring environment.