No.268
Paper Snowflakes: Follow the Instructions
Japanese name: スノーフレーク
You can scroll an enlarged diagram from side to side. Press again to return to its original size.
Diagram key
- A
- Listen to the instructions.
- B
- Fold and tear.
- C
- Unfold and compare.
Materials
- 1 sheet of equal-sized paper per person
- A container for paper scraps
How to play
- Give everyone an identical sheet and ask them not to look at anyone else’s paper. Eyes may stay open and people may look at their own sheet.
- Without demonstrating, give these instructions in order: “Fold in half”; “Tear a small piece from the top right corner”; “Fold in half again”; “Tear a little from the bottom left”.
- Do not declare a correct shape during the activity. At the final signal, everyone opens their sheet and shows the shapes as they are, whether similar or different.
- Discuss how people interpreted the direction and size of the folds. If repeating, use fresh paper and allow questions, then compare the two rounds.
- Do not rank either round as correct or incorrect. Clear away scraps and finish by sharing one idea for making instructions clearer.
Ways to adapt
From middle primary: use no more than two folds. An adult can sit beside preschool children to support the folding movements.