Bright Bouquet

Winter, spring, summer, fall—the season is always right for a bouquet of colorful flowers. Explain that flowers have long been a favorite subject for painters, artists, and writers. Share some familiar children’s poems about flowers with the class: http://www.ehow.co.uk/list_7422677_poems-flowers-children.html.

OBJECTIVE
Folding paper. Cutting paper.

MATERIALS
Scissors, ruler, colored paper, bendable drinking straws, double-stick tape, hole punch

DIRECTIONS
1)   Begin with a perfect square; the larger bouquet uses squares that are 8½ x 8½ inches. You will need as many paper squares as you want flowers!
2)   Have children fold the square four times in half diagonally both ways, lengthwise and widthwise, so that you have nice creases on all sides.
3)   Use a hole punch to make a hole in the center of the square.

4)   Cut two inches into the center of each of the four sides of the square.
5)   Place a small piece of double-stick tape just to the right of where you’ve made your cut.
6)   Carefully pull each “flap” of paper and overlap it slightly onto the next side of the square; continue folding your paper over until all four of your petals are formed. Push down on the double-stick tape to make sure it stays.

7) Slide a straw through the hole in the center of the flower to make a stem!