Explore & Describe: Torn Paper Collage

Experiment to discover what construction paper can do, and what ideas it can inspire.
Student smiling and holding up a small puppet of a person she made with torn paper. Student looking at a background she made using lots of small torn paper pieces in many colors filling the page.
 
 

What is it?

Kids experiment like scientists to discover what happens when they manipulate paper, and then develop those discoveries in new & unexpected directions. Teachers encourage curiosity & deep noticing by prompting & describing the exploration.

 
  • https://www.youtube.com/embed/ImMpQc15oos
    Let’s explore & describe torn paper collage!

    In this lesson, kids conduct experiments on construction paper using only their hands and fingers as tools.  Teachers prompt curiosity and risk taking, encourage kids to notice how they could use the paper to express their ideas, and create space for the kids to develop ideas that are inspired by playing with the paper.

 

Academic Connections

An artist’s process engages the curiosity of children. By offering an arts experience that authentically resonates with young artists, teachers support students in developing innovative thinking skills & building language to express ideas.

 
  • https://www.youtube.com/embed/BxYW2LeaMFk

    Support kids to find their own artist’s process!

    Offer strategies, tools, techniques to inspire & develop ideas. Model curiosity. Honor the variety of ways artists can choose to work.
  • https://www.youtube.com/embed/pqDRn1smJv4

    Arts exploration is like a science experiment!

    Support your students’ curiosity as they manipulate materials, notice & describe what happens, and use what they discover to inspire new ideas.
  • https://www.youtube.com/embed/baFsqa4zcgQ

    Use imaginative play to support language!

    Kids are the experts in what they imagine. Say “yes” to kids' poetic & playful ideas, and build on their ideas with descriptive language.
  • https://www.youtube.com/embed/wQYXiqnT7rQ

    Describe to build language and confidence

    Enthusiastic & specific describing of artists’ choices simultaneously supports language development & builds kids’ confidence in their process.
 

Classroom Examples

This activity was tested in a variety of classrooms and adapted by many different classroom teachers and teaching artists!

 
  • https://www.youtube.com/embed/2f3cQBkhQfc

    First grade ML classroom example (artist led)

    Teaching Artist SJ Munford
    (PS 124M, 1st grade Multilingual Learner class)

    Note: Different brands of paper tear strips in different directions!
  • https://www.youtube.com/embed/0gnOmdP9dwk

    On- line classroom example

    Teaching Artist Sarah Provost and classroom teacher Jeanine Dalo (PS 63 Q, 1st grade Integrated Co-Teaching class with a mix of students with and without disabilities)
  • https://www.youtube.com/embed/tF2x0VnzFUU

    Self-contained class example

    TAs Erin Orr & Jojo Gonzalez review before session 2 of exploring collage (PS 382X, 2nd gr.- 12 students with disabilities, 1 teacher & 1 para)
  • https://www.youtube.com/embed/3d3iDzymdNA

    First grade ML classroom example (teacher led)

    Classroom teacher Jessica Giler
    (PS 62Q, 1st grade Multilingual Learner class)
 

Steps & Scripts

Open each step for video, sample scripts & a downloadable steps PDF

 

Step 1: Experiment with ripping strips & curls

  • https://www.youtube.com/embed/YjBFKEuyomQ
    See Sample Script (3-5 min)
    • Set up- Today, we are going to see what we can do with this paper using just our hands! No scissors! It doesn’t matter what color paper you have. We’ll end up sharing all of the colors by the end. Let’s hold our papers vertically, so that they look tall & skinny, like a skyscraper.  Put both of your  hands at the top of the paper.
    • Explore- What will happen if we rip the paper quickly from top to bottom?  I see a lot of straight lines and some long skinny strips. What will happen if we rip one of our long, skinny strips into an even longer, skinnier strip? (Keep ripping skinnier strips until the paper curls!) When your paper curls, hold it up so we can see!
    • Imagine & Describe- What do these remind you of? Yes! Those (tight spirals or ringlets, loose loops, tiny curves) look like _____!
    • Discoveries spark ideas-  What could you make with these shapes? Do they give you any ideas for puppets, places or stories?

    Please note!  Most brands of construction paper will tear in long, straight lines vertically, and tear in diagonals when held horizontally.  However some brands are the reverse!  Test your paper beforehand to make sure you know which direction your brand of paper tears in.  Watch the second video example to see this activity with paper that tears in strips when held horizontally.

    Steps Explore & Describe Torn Paper Collage

 

Step 2: Experiment with ripping diagonals & shapes

  • https://www.youtube.com/embed/3KX3mFJWmZw
    See Sample Script (3-5 min)

    Please note!  Most brands of construction paper will tear in diagonals when held horizontally.  However some brands are the reverse!  Test your paper beforehand to make sure you know which direction your brand of paper tears in.  Watch the second video example to see this activity with paper that tears in diagonals  when held vertically.

    • Set up- Let’s hold our biggest piece horizontally, like it’s laying down to take a nap. Put both hands at the top of your paper.
    • Explore- What will happen if we rip the paper turned this way?  Hold up your ripped piece, so that we can see all of the different kinds of shapes we made!
    • Imagine & Describe- What do these shapes remind you of? Yes! That (lumpy, jagged, swoopy, pointy, diagonal, triangle) shape does look like a _________. (Take a few ideas).
    • Discoveries spark ideas-   What could you make with these shapes? Do they give you any ideas for making puppets, places or stories?

    Option to add an additional experiment after ripping and before layering to support fine motor skill development or challenge students to notice deeply using all of their senses.  See page three of the Steps PDF or the Start Planning section on this page for ideas.

    Steps Explore & Describe Torn Paper Collage

 

Step 3: Experiment with layering

  • https://www.youtube.com/embed/2rI0BhmTH3o
    See Sample Script (3-5 min)
    • Set up- 
      1) Rip one of your paper pieces into 10 tiny pieces.
      2) Push all your papers into the center of the table & mix up the colors.
      3) Choose a big piece of paper in any color.
      4) Choose a medium piece in a different color and layer it on top of your big piece.
      5) Choose a tiny piece of paper in another color and layer it on top of your medium piece.
    • Explore- Play around with how you can layer your pieces. Do you want to place your pieces in the middle, over to one side, on the top or the bottom of your big piece? Do you want to place your tiny piece on top of or beside your medium piece?  Do you want them close together or far apart? Try out different ways! Layer more shapes if you like!
    • Imagine & Describe- What do your layered pieces remind you of?  Yes! The way you layered your pieces (on top of, next to, close together, far apart, on the edges, in the middle, bottom or top) looks like a __________.
    • Discoveries spark ideas- Did layering the pieces give you any ideas about what you would like to make next?

    Steps Explore & Describe Torn Paper Collage

 

Step 4: Independent Exploration

  • https://www.youtube.com/embed/FpC6sgtiXK0
    At least 20 min independent work

    While students work, teachers circulate to…

    • Notice & describe the choices kids are making in their drawings. For support use the Describing Tool Torn Paper Collage Describing Tool Torn Paper Collage.
    • Notice, observe & support how kids are choosing to work as artists. Use the Observe & Support Tool: Visual Artists.
    • Make art and play with the kids.
    • At the end, collect and save the paper scraps to use next time to make puppets or story settings.
 
 

Start Planning!

Before you do this activity, explore these planning resources.

 

Helpful Tips

 

Plan experiments to support fine motor skills

  • https://www.youtube.com/embed/PsqfPhwhsWo
    We need fine motor skill support

    Add an experiment to practice using all the muscles in your hand vs. using just the tips of your fingers!  These work best when done one after the other so that kids can feel the difference in how they are using their muscles. This is highly recommended for kindergarten classes or classes in schools where students don’t work with art supplies regularly.

    We recommend adding these experiments after the ripping and before the layering experiment if you have time.  Another good option is to use them when you do this lesson a second time!

    Experiment with using force/ whole hand  (example script- 2 min)

    • Set up- Choose a big piece of paper
    • Explore- What will happen if we use ALL of the muscles in our hand to crush this paper (crushing sound effects encouraged). Now, let’s open our hands and see what we have made!
    • Imagine & Describe- What does your crushed paper remind you of?  What have you made? Yes!  Your (crumpled, crushed, smooshed, bumpy, 3-D) paper looks like (a)___________!
    • Discoveries spark ideas-  Does your crushed paper give you any ideas for making puppets or places or stories?

    Experiment with being gentle/ just fingertips  (example script- 3 min)

    • Set up- Choose another piece of paper
    • Explore-  What will happen if we just use our fingertips to make a tiny rip.  Try not to rip it all the way!  Then make another tiny rip!  See if you can make tiny rips all along the edge of this paper.
    • Imagine & Describe- What does this remind you of?  What have you made? Yes!  Your (fringed, fluffy, bumpy) paper looks like (a) ___________!
    • Discoveries spark ideas- Does This give you any ideas for making puppets or places or stories?

    Downloadable scripts for additional experiments can be found on page 3 and 4 of Steps Explore & Describe Torn Paper Collage

 

Plan experiments to challenge fine motor skills

  • https://www.youtube.com/embed/ksZyidOG1KM
    Bring on fine motor challenges

    Add additional experiments for older kids and classes that are very enthusiastic about or skilled in visual arts. We recommend adding these experiments after the ripping and before the layering experiment if you have time.  Another good option is to do this lesson multiple times with new experiments each time to introduce additional techniques!  Watch this video for examples.

    Experiment with folding, rolling & twisting (example scripts- 3-5 min each)

    • Set up- Find a long piece and hold it using two hands.
    • Explore- What will happen if…We fold our paper back and forth & back and forth over and over?We roll the paper?  (Try rolling it around fingers or pencils)We twist our paper? Hold either end of the paper and twist your hands in opposite directions!
    • Imagine & Describe- What does paper remind you of?  What have you made? Yes!  Your (folded, creased, pointy, rolled, curved, spiral, twisted, gnarled) paper does look like (a) ___________!
    • Discoveries spark ideas- Does your paper give you any ideas for making puppets or places or stories?

    Scroll to the next video for information about tearing circles!

    Downloadable scripts for additional experiments can be found on page 3 and 4 of Steps Explore & Describe Torn Paper Collage

  • https://www.youtube.com/embed/UZt7uhybWB8
    The circle challenge!

    Tearing curved shapes & circles is challenging!  Watch this video to learn different approaches that teachers & their students have discovered.  This challenge is more appropriate for first grade and older.  For kindergarteners, it is better  to focus on developing the motor skills needed for tearing, crushing and twisting, and on finding curved shapes in the pile of torn paper.

    You can also challenge your students to slowly and carefully rip triangles, squares and rectangles.

 

Plan experiments to deepen noticing skills

  • https://www.youtube.com/embed/RovqeeYFg6U
    Activate senses to notice deeply

    Add additional experiments to challenge students to activate their senses when exploring & making observations.  We recommend adding one of these experiments after the ripping and before the layering experiment if you have time.  Another good option is to do this lesson multiple times with new experiments each time to introduce additional ways of exploring and gaining inspiration!

    Experiment with noticing sound (example script- 3 min)

    • Set up- For this experiment we have to be absolutely quiet and use our ears to listen. (Wait for the room to be silent).
    • Explore- Listen to your paper!  What sound does the paper make when we rip it slowly? Rip it quickly? Crumple it?
    • Describe-  What do the sounds remind you of when you rip slowly? Rip it quickly? Crumple it?
    • Discoveries spark ideas- Do the sounds give you any ideas?

    Experiment with noticing texture (example script- 3 min)

    • Set up- Find a piece of paper that has one straight edge and one torn edge.
    • Explore- Feel the straight edge with your fingers.  Feel the torn edge with your fingers.
    • Describe-  What does the straight edge feel like? What does the ripped edge feel? Yes!  The (fluffy, bumpy, soft, sharp, straight, thin) edge does feel like (a)_________!
    • Discoveries spark ideas- What do these textures remind you of? What could you make with them? Do the sounds give you any ideas?

    Downloadable scripts for additional experiments can be found on page 3 and 4 of Steps Explore & Describe Torn Paper Collage

 

Prepare

Prepare the materials

  • You will need  9 x 12 construction paper in a variety of colors.  Each child needs 1 sheet to start with.  Make extra construction paper in all colors available for kids to use as needed during the explore & describe mini lesson and during independent art time.
  • Test your construction paper! We recommend Tru-ray construction paper, but any brand will work.  Most brands of construction paper will tear in long, straight lines vertically, and tear in diagonals when held horizontally.  However some brands are the reverse!  Make sure you know which direction your brand of paper tears in, so that you can adjust the direction if needed.
  • Have a plan to save the paper scraps!  Once your students have explored this material, they can use their paper manipulating skills to collage puppet characters or settings!  Having a bunch of already torn scraps will help them get started more quickly.  Gather all of the scraps into one large bag or box, or into 2 gallon ziplocks for each table at the end of the lesson to use next time.
  • Glue sticks (optional) are good to have on hand in case your class becomes attached to what they make during the independent exploration time.

Prepare the art making space

  • Seat kids in groups of 3-8 at tables or desks that are pushed together so that they can share paper scraps .
  • Tables should be cleared.
  • Hide the scissors! We will be ripping paper, not using scissors.  With this technique, imagining ways to use random shapes is just as important as having the fine motor skills needed to execute a meticulous plan, reducing anxiety kids may have about art making.  Allow kids to use scissors during independent time if they want.
  • Hide the glue sticks! We are exploring and learning skills today, not making a finished product! That said, if your class becomes attached to what they created, give them 5 minutes to glue it together at the very end, while you collect the scraps.

Check out the Planning and preparation guide Explore & Describe Torn Paper Collage.

 
 

Build Your Skills

Before your class explores torn paper collage, prepare to describe the choices your students will make during independent art making. Look at videos of kids’ work below & strengthen your notice & describe skills using the describing tool!

 
  • https://www.youtube.com/embed/dUd8OGXAmRY

    Find more words to describe shape & color

    Watch this video to practice describing shape & color choice with more specificity & rich language. Use the
    Describing Tool: Torn Paper Collage
  • https://www.youtube.com/embed/2tozf3DE0W8

    Describe composition (or placement) choices

    Avoid guessing what the choices represent! Describe spacing, direction & pattern with specific words. Use the
    Describing Tool: Torn Paper Collage
  • https://www.youtube.com/embed/9rJy_D1cJc0

    Describe the textures & 3-D forms you see

    Avoid guessing what the choices represent! Describe textures & 3-D forms using specific language. Use the
    Describing Tool: Torn Paper Collage
  • https://www.youtube.com/embed/WwgWYZrfQC0

    Describe gestural choices

    Gesture = movement .
    Describe the ways the artists in this video are using their fingers and hands to move & manipulate the paper. Use the
    Describing Tool: Torn Paper Collage
 

Reflect

After you do the Explore & Describe Torn Paper Collage Lesson, assess how it went and find support to go deeper!

 
  • https://www.youtube.com/embed/UZt7uhybWB8

    My kids want to make circles, and it’s hard

    Tearing curved shapes & circles is challenging! Watch this video to learn different approaches that teachers & their students have discovered.
  • https://www.youtube.com/embed/7n41hNxmSOM

    Some kids didn’t follow my lesson

    Some kids will follow the prompts you offer and others will decide to work their own way. Watch this video about balancing plans and autonomy.
  • https://www.youtube.com/embed/KPCFk6iBi4Y

    My class needs a visual reference

    Make a visual chart to review torn paper collage techniques & prepare kids to collage puppets or settings. Post photos for kids to refer to.
  • https://www.youtube.com/embed/nJhPu-1splU

    Some kids got frustrated!

    Artists get frustrated sometimes! Rooster’s tips are Step back. Then, ask yourself: “What do I love about my art? What don’t I love about it?”
  • https://www.youtube.com/embed/0nIaoSCMJxY
    I’m not sure if kids were “on task” during independent art making time. How can I support them?

    Artists might work in ways that are unusual in a school environment.  During independent art making time, be curious about how your students choose to work. Watch these videos for ways to  support the kids in your classroom as they discover how they work as artists.

    Video 1:  How do artists engage their senses?

     

    Observe & Support: Visual Arts
  • https://www.youtube.com/embed/h6LUhOBQ6c0
    I’m not sure if kids were “on task” during independent art making time. How can I support them?

    Artists might work in ways that are unusual in a school environment.  During independent art making time, be curious about how your students choose to work. Watch these videos for ways to  support the kids in your classroom as they discover how they work as artists.

    Video 2:  How do artists engage with others?

     

    Observe & Support: Visual Arts
  • https://www.youtube.com/embed/MxCZ-44bTeo
    I’m not sure if kids were “on task” during independent art making time. How can I support them?

    Artists might work in ways that are unusual in a school environment.  During independent art making time, be curious about how your students choose to work. Watch these videos for ways to  support the kids in your classroom as they discover how they work as artists.

    Video 3: How do artists use time?

     

    Observe & Support: Visual Arts
  • https://www.youtube.com/embed/v2U6nI1kPLs
    I’m not sure if kids were “on task” during independent art making time. How can I support them?

    Artists might work in ways that are unusual in a school environment.  During independent art making time, be curious about how your students choose to work. Watch these videos for ways to  support the kids in your classroom as they discover how they work as artists.

    Video 4: What is an artists’ process?

     

    Observe & Support: Visual Arts
  • https://www.youtube.com/embed/4I-aPcy3MmQ
    I’m not sure if kids were “on task” during independent art making time. How can I support them?

    Artists might work in ways that are unusual in a school environment.  During independent art making time, be curious about how your students choose to work. Watch these videos for ways to  support the kids in your classroom as they discover how they work as artists.

    Video 5: How do artists use their body & space?

     

    Observe & Support: Visual Arts
  • https://www.youtube.com/embed/VGO2BQ4jruU
    I’m not sure if kids were “on task” during independent art making time. How can I support them?

    Artists might work in ways that are unusual in a school environment.  During independent art making time, be curious about how your students choose to work. Watch these videos for ways to  support the kids in your classroom as they discover how they work as artists.

    Video 6: How do artists at work sound?

     

    Observe & Support: Visual Arts
 

Connected Activities

If you liked Explore & Describe: Torn Paper Collage, check out these activities!

 
  • https://www.youtube.com/embed/SnqLIJwHdJk
    Make a story setting for puppets to play in!

    Students can apply what they have discovered about torn paper collage to create a story setting for a puppet show. Watch this video for simple ideas for creating puppet theaters out of collaged backdrops.

  • https://www.youtube.com/embed/nRFkVsT8wDU
    Collage a story setting!

    In this video lesson, teaching artist Susanna Brock gets help and inspiration from paper friends to create a troll forest!  What kind of story setting will you create?

  • A photo composite of two students holding up the character puppets that they made by layering colorful torn paper

    Make simple character puppets

    Students can apply what they have discovered about torn paper collage to create simple character puppets. Scroll for examples!
  • A photo composite of two students holding up their torn paper character puppets, an elephant made out of one piece of red paper torn into curves that show the back and trunk and a cat made from layers blue, red and black pieces.

    Make simple character puppets

    Students can apply what they have discovered about torn paper collage to create simple character puppets. Scroll for examples!
  • A photo composite of 1) child holding up rain cloud and thundercloud character puppets that they have made and 1) a torn paper character puppet in a pose like it's making a snow angel under a pile of white torn paper snow.

    Make simple character puppets

    Students can apply what they have discovered about torn paper collage to create simple character puppets. Scroll for examples!
  • A photo composite of three different students, each holding up their own character puppet

    Make simple character puppets

    Students can apply what they have discovered about torn paper collage to create simple character puppets. Scroll for examples!
  • A child holding up a red and blue torn paper character puppet

    Make simple character puppets

    Students can apply what they have discovered about torn paper collage to create simple character puppets. Scroll for examples!
  • A child happily holding up their character puppet made of pink, blue and yellow torn paper.

    Make simple character puppets

    Students can apply what they have discovered about torn paper collage to create simple character puppets. Scroll for examples!
  • A child holding up a yellow and black torn paper character puppet

    Make simple character puppets

    Students can apply what they have discovered about torn paper collage to create simple character puppets. Scroll for examples!
  • A child holding up a green, black torn paper character puppet with 3- D yellow eyes.

    Make simple character puppets

    Students can apply what they have discovered about torn paper collage to create simple character puppets. Scroll for examples!
  • Three students happily hold up large character puppets

    Make simple character puppets

    Students can apply what they have discovered about torn paper collage to create simple character puppets. Scroll for examples!
  • Mom and daughter play with a torn paper puppet they made together.

    Make simple character puppets

    Students can apply what they have discovered about torn paper collage to create simple character puppets. Scroll for examples!
  • A student and their father hold up the character puppets that they've made.

    Make simple character puppets

    Students can apply what they have discovered about torn paper collage to create simple character puppets. Scroll for examples!
  • Three blue bird puppets made of small pieces of torn paper, lined up on a table.

    Make simple character puppets

    Students can apply what they have discovered about torn paper collage to create simple character puppets. Scroll for examples!
  • https://www.youtube.com/embed/sxwk5JDVvWM

    Collaborate! Make a paper collage puppet together

    Make a puppet with your class using torn paper. This is a great scale of puppet to play with in front of a backdrop projected on a smartboard.
  • https://www.youtube.com/embed/8WWIAz4Hl5A

    Make an expressive puppet face

    Kids explore & describe how changing choices about shape, spacing & direction creates a variety of unique puppet facial expressions
  • https://www.youtube.com/embed/WWGIQb4ldWk

    Collage an expressive puppet face!

    Collage a puppet face to express emotions using torn construction paper or recycled materials. Watch this video to get ideas from teaching artist Sarah Provost.
  • https://www.youtube.com/embed/snFBY3eEqJA

    Reflect to develop the work!

    See how classroom teacher Jessica Giler (PS 62Q, 1st grade) helps kids to develop their torn paper collages through peer learning & reflection.
  • https://www.youtube.com/embed/C6l4NV9TIfU

    More ways to explore & describe torn paper

    In this video 2nd graders review and chart the techniques from lesson 1, before moving on to more experiments! Scroll for more experiments.
  • https://www.youtube.com/embed/PsqfPhwhsWo

    More ways to explore & describe torn paper

    Experiment with using hands vs fingertips! Highly recommended for kindergarten classes. Script on Pg. 3 of
    Steps: Explore & Describe Torn Paper Collage
  • https://www.youtube.com/embed/ksZyidOG1KM

    More ways to explore & describe torn paper

    Experiment with folding, rolling & twisting. Great for adding challenge & skills. Script on Pg.4 of
    Steps: Explore & Describe Torn Paper Collage
  • https://www.youtube.com/embed/UZt7uhybWB8

    More ways to explore & describe torn paper

    Experiment with different ways to tear curves and circles! Watch this video to learn different approaches teachers & kids have discovered.
  • https://www.youtube.com/embed/RovqeeYFg6U

    More ways to explore & describe torn paper

    Experiment with activating hearing & touch when exploring & making observations. Script on Pg.4 of
    Steps: Explore & Describe Torn Paper Collage
  • A boy stands side by side with his puppet and mirrors the surprised expression that he created on his puppet's face.

    Explore & Describe 5-shapes Collage

    Explore and Describe how small composition choices about shape, spacing, direction and pattern can transform the expression of a puppet face. Check out
    Explore & Describe: 5 Shapes Many Emotions
  • A composite image. Center- A photo of a first-grade girl showing holding her drawing over the lower part of her face. She has drawn a variety of lines and used shapes to make a drawing of a pencil. Left- A child's pencil drawing of a pattern using spirals inside of squares framed by short dark diagonal lines. Right- A child's pencil drawing of a character made out of squares, circles and triangle teeth & spikes.

    Explore & Describe Drawing with Pencil

    Imbue an everyday tool with a sense of possibility by putting the kids (and their pencils) in charge! Check out
    Explore & Describe: Drawing with Pencil
  • A young girl is cutting construction paper at a desk filled with colorful paper shapes

    Explore & Describe Texture Collage

    Build curiosity & language! Check out Explore & Describe Texture Collage.

    COMING SOON
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