Curled-Paper Winter Holiday Cards

1. Students research a winter holiday such as Chanukah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, or Chinese New Year. What traditions are observed in different cultures for these holidays? When were greeting cards introduced? Find out about Victorian "trick cards" at Christmas. Learn about the art of paper quilling, and make a one-of-a-kind card.
2. Fold Crayola Color Explosion® Paper to create a holiday card. Choose a pertinent theme and symbols, such as a Christmas tree.
3. Choose another color of Color Explosion Paper. Cut it into narrow strips with Crayola Scissors. Use these strips to do quilling—rolling decorative paper coils.
4. Smooth each strip between two fingers until the paper bends. Fold over one end and roll the paper to form a tight coil. Pinch coils into shapes, such as rectangles for candles, a teardrop, the letter S, or a circle. Glue the loose end in place and hold until the glue sets.
5. Make interior cuts in the card if you like. Arrange the coils on the cover of the card. Glue them in place. Air-dry the glue.
6. Use Crayola Color Explosion Markers to write greetings and add details.

LA: Read with sufficient accuracy and fluency to support comprehension.

LA: Cite the textual evidence that most strongly supports an analysis of what the test says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.

LA: Use knowledge of language and its conventions when writing, speaking, reading, or listening.

LA: Present information, findings, and supporting evidence such that listeners can follow the line of reasoning and the organization, development, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.

SS: Give examples of and explain groups and institutional influences such as religious beliefs, laws, and peer pressure, on people, events, and elements of culture.

VA: Intentionally take advantage of the qualities and characteristics of art media, techniques, and processes to enhance communication of their experiences and ideas.

VA: Select and use the qualities of structures and functions of art to improve communication of their ideas.

VA: Use subjects, themes, and symbols that demonstrate knowledge of contexts, values, and aesthetics that communicate intended meaning in artworks.

VA: Describe and place a variety of art objects in historical and cultural contexts.

Students investigate sayings found in greeting cards designed for the winter holidays. Challenge students to compose original messages for their handmade cards.

Challenge students to research other winter holidays such as Los Posadas, Ramadan, and the Chinese Lantern Festival. Investigate the countries associated with the holidays as well as the traditions, food, and symbols. Create a chart with details about these and other winter holidays.

Investigate the origins of quilling. Ask students to observe patterns found in nature and create quilled art replicating these patterns.