TeachKidsArt

a resource for teachers & families

  • Home
  • Blog
  • Artist Birthdays
  • SHOP TPT
  • About
  • Contact
  • TIP Vault

Folded Paper Stars With Symmetry

By Cheryl Trowbridge 2 Comments

Share
Pin
Tweet
Print

Folded Paper Star decoration with symmetryThese folded paper stars are a hit year after year with my 4th graders. You can make these in any size you want…. the size of the squares you start with will determine the size of your finished stars. 

When I teach this lesson, I use 12″ squares in two different colors to demonstrate the folding and gluing steps on the white board. Instead of glue, I used tape rolls with low tack blue painter’s tape for my demo… that way I can keep reusing the pieces!

For each star, you will need:

  • 8 squares of white paper (We usually use 3″ x 3″ squares to make a star that’s 8-1/2″ across, but you could go larger (use 12″ squares to make a 22-1/2″ star) or smaller (use 1″ squares to make a 2-3/4″ star – perfect for hanging on a Christmas tree, but a much trickier size to fold). We use plain white copy paper for our 8-1/2″ stars, but for larger stars, construction paper can also be used.
  • Glue stick (Use a good one! I recommend the Avery Permanent Glue Stic…. or use YES! Paste)
  • Markers for decorating your star
  • Small (1/8″) hole punch
  • Metallic cord for hanging
  • Baby wipes for cleaning glue off of desks!

Directions:

1. Fold each of your white squares in half, on the diagonal. Then open them up again.

2. With each square in the “diamond” position, fold the left and right corners in so they meet in the middle, with the straight edges touching the fold. Repeat this step with each square, gluing the flaps in place as you fold them down.

3. Now it’s time to glue each of your star sections together. Begin by positioning your first piece with it’s “narrowest point” pointing away from you. Then with your next piece in the same position, glue it to your first piece so the lower left edge lines up with the fold line of the first piece. Glue these two pieces together where they overlap.

4. Turn your star slightly to the left, and continue lining up the lower left edge of each successive piece with the fold line of the piece before it. Glue each piece down as you go. (This is the step where students tend to get confused…. make sure they line up their edges with the fold line!)

5. Repeat until all eight sections are glued together. Then go back and check for any areas that might be a little loose and add more glue as needed.

6. Use markers to add colorful patterns to your stars, trying to keep your patterns and colors symmetrical.

Folded paper star demo on white board
Line up the lower left edge with the fold on the piece to its left, working clockwise around your star.
Folded paper star demo on white board
Repeat until all pieces are glued together. (I use blue tape for my demo, so I can repeat steps as needed!)
Student gluing sections of star together
Student gluing the pieces of his star together.

Folded paper star demo on white board

Write directions on the white board as you demonstrate. Work LARGE so students can refer to your sample as they make their own.

I recommend laminating these stars so they will last from year to year! As with any project using layers of paper, make sure you run your laminating machine on its slowest setting to get a good seal. If laminating isn’t an option, use heavier paper (like construction paper) and YES! Paste to make sure the pieces will stay together (projects made with glue sticks, even good ones, tend to pop apart over time).

Folded Paper Star Decoration with Symmetry
Folded Paper Star Decoration with Symmetry
Folded Paper Star Decoration with Symmetry
Folded Paper Star Decoration with Symmetry
Folded Paper Star Decoration with Symmetry
Folded Paper Star Decoration with Symmetry
Folded Paper Star Decoration with Symmetry
Folded Paper Star Decoration with Symmetry
Folded Paper Star Decoration with Symmetry
Folded Paper Star Decoration with Symmetry
Folded Paper Star Decoration with Symmetry
Folded Paper Star Decoration with Symmetry
Folded Paper Star Decoration with Symmetry
Folded Paper Star Decoration with Symmetry
Folded Paper Star Decoration with Symmetry
Share
Pin
Tweet
Print

You may also like...

Default ThumbnailKindergarten Stars Default Thumbnail“Stained Glass” Ornaments Default ThumbnailJacob’s Ladder Icicles Default ThumbnailChristmas Cards for Veterans

Filed Under: Christmas, Holiday / Event, Lessons, Markers / Pen and Ink, Paper, Paper Folding, Stars Tagged With: ornaments, pattern, stars, symmetry

Comments

  1. Christopher Selva says

    at

    I love this idea! Its great for classroom use for tough subjects such as symmetry!

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Christmas Project Collection | TeachKidsArt says:
    at

    […] (Faux) Stained Glass Ornaments […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Follow Me

  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Never Miss a Post - Follow by Email

Find a ** FREE ** Lesson (Below):

  • Lessons Inspired by Famous Artists
    • Britto, Romero
    • Burch, Laurel
    • Calder, Alexander
    • Carle, Eric
    • Cezanne, Paul
    • Chagall, Marc
    • Chihuly, Dale
    • Dali, Salvadore
    • Da Vinci, Leonardo
    • Delaunay, Robert & Sonia
    • Escher, M.C.
    • Goldsworthy, Andy
    • Haring, Keith
    • Johns, Jasper
    • Kahlo, Frida
    • Kandinsky, Wassily
    • Klee, Paul
    • Klimt, Gustave
    • Matisse, Henri
    • Miro, Joan
    • Mondrian, Piet
    • Monet, Claude
    • O’Keeffe, Georgia
    • Old Masters
    • Picasso, Pablo
    • Pollock, Jackson
    • Pompon, Francois
    • Posada, Jose
    • Remington, Frederick
    • Renoir, Auguste
    • Seurat, Georges
    • Seuss, Dr.
    • Van Gogh, Vincent
    • Van Honthorst, Gerard
    • Wood, Grant
  • Lessons by Holiday
    • 100th Day of School
    • Chinese New Year
    • Christmas
    • Day of the Dead / Dia de los Muertos
    • Earth Day
    • Easter
    • Father’s Day
    • Halloween
    • International Dot Day
    • Memorial Day
    • Mother’s Day
    • New Years
    • Other
    • Thanksgiving
    • Valentine’s Day
  • Lessons by Culture
    • Africa
    • America
    • Chile
    • China
    • Europe
    • Haiti
    • Japan
    • Mexico
    • Middle East
  • Lessons by Process
    • 3D / Sculpture
    • Bookmaking
    • Calligraphy
    • Collage
    • Drawing
    • Embossing
    • Folding
    • Lettering
    • Micrography
    • Mosaic
    • Origami
    • Painting
    • Paper Cutting
    • Paper Folding
    • Printmaking
    • Quilling
    • Recycling with Art
    • Sketching
    • Stitching / Embroidery
    • Weaving
  • Lessons by Medium
    • Acrylic
    • Clay
    • Colored Pencil
    • Crayon
    • Digital / Computer
    • Fabric / Fiber
    • Markers / Pen and Ink
    • Mixed Media
    • Oil Pastel
    • Paper
    • Pencil
    • Tempera
    • Watercolor
  • Lessons by Style
    • Abstract (Non-representational)
    • Abstract (Representational)
    • Cartoon
    • Cubism
    • Expressionism
    • Fantasy
    • Impressionism
    • Op Art
    • Orphism
    • Pointillism
    • Pop Art
    • Post Impressionism
    • Realism
    • Surrealism
  • Lessons by Subject
    • Abstract Design
    • Animals
    • Birds
    • Buildings
    • Butterflies
    • Cityscape
    • Color / Color Mixing
    • Creatures / Monsters
    • Cross
    • Faith
    • Elements of Art
    • Fish / Marine Life
    • Flowers
    • Greeting Cards
    • Hearts
    • Imagination
    • Landscape
    • Mandalas
    • Masks
    • Math with Art
    • Misc. Subjects
    • Names
    • Nature
    • Ocean / Seascapes
    • People
    • Portraits / Self-Portraits
    • Religion
    • Quilts
    • Scripture
    • Seasons
    • Sky
    • snow
    • Stars
    • Still Life
    • Trees
    • Words / Letters
  • … and More!
    • Bulletin Boards & Displays
    • Classroom Management
    • Elements of Art
    • Imagination
    • Inspiration
    • Middle School Art
    • News & Announcements
    • Philosophy
    • Portfolios
    • Product Reviews
    • Quotes & Stories
    • Supplies / Products
    • Teacher Workshops
    • Tips for Teaching Art

Follow me on
Teachers Pay Teachers

Support Teach Kids Art When you shop Amazon.com

TEACH KIDS ART IS AN AMAZON AFFILIATE. I earn a small commission when you visit Amazon.com by clicking through my site and make a purchase of any kind. This supports Teach Kids Art at no extra cost to you.

Click here to shop Amazon.com!

Related Posts

  • A Creative Color Game for All Ages
  • An Engaging Art Museum Activity for Kids
  • TIP #66: 10 Ways to Save Money on Art Supplies for Kids
  • Better Paint Brush Habits for Kids
  • Review the Elements of Art with a Beachball Scavenger Hunt

Copyright © 2023 Cheryl Trowbridge / Teach Kids Art · All Rights Reserved · Privacy Policy · Design by Laugh Eat Learn



We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Cookie settingsACCEPT
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT