Paper Making

Subject Area

This activity has been designed as part of the Food and Nutrition Sciences (NZD 3G1) curriculum. As part of Unit 6, Food Preparation Equipment (core unit), it explores objective “A” on page 72 of the Food and Nutrition Sciences Curriculum Guideline for the Senior Division, August 1988.

Learning Outcomes

Teaching, learning and evaluation will focus on the student’s ability to:

• Analyze the composition and techniques involved in paper making;
  
• Integrate creativity derived improvements with existing techniques;
  
• Discover new materials with which to make new types of paper.

Classroom Development

1. Start students off with a class discussion of what paper is, how it is different around the world. Try to elicit information about modern paper production, and variants. Also, ask them if they know how to make paper, and allow small groups to design a method for making paper. You may even wish to allow them to try to make paper by their own means before giving them the following handout.
   
   
2. Students use the basic directions as outline on the attached handout for paper making and develop their own formulas/recipes.

Resources

The tools needed for paper making are the screen and blocker. The screen catches the pulp, and the blocker makes the edges of the paper even. To make these tools you need eight pieces of wood (tomato stakes) and a square piece of plastic screen. Cut the wood to make a frame the size you want the paper to be, say 20 cm by 15 cm. You will need four pieces at 20 cm and four at 15 cm. Nail four of the pieces together to make a rectangle. Repeat the step for the other pieces to make two rectangles. Over one rectangle, stretch the screen as tightly as possible. The pulp will sit on the top of the screen (not like a bucket) with the blocker surrounding the pulp.

“How To Make Paper At Home.” Current Magazine, January, 1989, (Vol. 9, No. 1.) (page 13-15.).
Hounsell and Judd, The Incredible Paper Making Kit.

Timing

Two periods (75 min each) is enough for students to understand the basics of paper making. Allow for extra periods depending on the amount of experimentation, research, or paper desired.

Cross-disciplinary Links

A history class can pursue historical aspects of paper making; its roots and culturally defined differences in techniques, materials, and uses.

Equipment Required

• Scrap paper from a recycling box. Computer paper is ideal. Remove any plastic or staples.
  
• Plant and vegetable scraps and herbs. Categorize them according to purpose; Rose and violet petals add colour; wild mint and pine needles add texture and scent; bits of dry maple leaves add texture.
  
• Paper making screen and blocker
  
• Newspapers for soaking up water
  
• Plastic basin for soaking paper
  
• Plastic basin big enough to fit screens
  
• Blender
  
• Sponge
  
• Spoon
  
• Dishtowel size cloths
  
• Electric Iron

Process

1. Tear paper into small pieces (about 2 square cm) and soak in hot water for half an hour. Cold water can be used, but the time will need to be extended.
   
2. Take a handful of soaked paper and put it into a blender along with enough water to half fill the blender.
   
3. Blend at medium speed until no pieces of paper are visible.
   
4. Add small amounts of vegetable matter like orange peels, carrot tops, flowers, textile fibres or dried herbs to this “pulp.” These ingredients vary the colour, texture and smell of the paper.
   
5. Pour the pulp mixture into a large plastic basin, half-full of warm water. (Increasing or decreasing the amount of pulp/water will affect the thickness of the paper.)
   
6. Slide the screen into the bottom of the basin. Gently shake the screen to get an even layer of pulp (no holes or thin spots) on the screen. Lift the screen slowly out of the water. Repeat this process if necessary.
   
7. Allow excess water to drain away. Place the screen face down over a dish towel which is covering a pile of newspapers. Rub the bottom of the screen with a spoon, to force the moisture out and to transfer the paper from the screen to the cloth. Slowly peal the screen off, leaving the paper on the towel. Then set aside to dry.
   
8. Cover with another cloth and iron to dry.
   
9. Once dry, pull gently on either side of the cloth to stretch it—this helps loosen the paper from the cloth. Gently peel the paper off.

Environmental Note

Do not pour pulp down the drain. Strain pulp from water and freeze it for future use.

Option

Write out your “personal best” paper recipe below.