Teaching

Tips for Teaching SIMPLE models

1. Always use terminology right from the beginning.
2. Use landmarks (not "fold to here or there")
3. Remain calm
4. Encourage and compliment their folding
5. Take into account the age and experience of your audience.
6. Know your own limits.
7. Find your own repertoire-- what models do you feel comfortable teaching?


When teaching kids:
- Tell them to "match up the corners" when they are making a book fold.
- Name the step folds as you go: e.g. "what does this look like to you? A mountain? a boat? a house? "

In a classroom:
- They are either in "folding" position. Or "origami listening position" -- hands in lap, eyes on you and your paper. (Michael Shall tip)
- When everyone has gotten to a certain step. Have them hold up their paper and say-- "You show me what I'm showing you." (also from M. Shall)

Teaching at a Street Fair or School Festival:
This is for when you are sitting at a table and people are stopping by to learn a model.

1. Pick 4 things to teach and keep teaching them over and over again. That way when people have finished the 4 things they leave and "let someone else" have a turn.
2. If a whole group of kids descends (e.g. 15-20 kids at once)-- FIND THE ADULT or TEACHER who is responsible for them. If the teacher wants the kids to have a turn then she can either: send them to you in groups of 5-6 or have 5-6 kids learn it from you and take it back to teach the rest of the kids at school.
3. You are in control. If you are tired, close down for 5 minutes.
4. If they are crowding you, stop and say "everyone take 3 steps back."

Model ideas:
1. Candy cane (really only good if you have pencils)
2. Crunch x-mas tree
3. Sailboat made from a triangle
4. Swan
5. Fuse Santa
6. Cup
7. Heart card

Better in a classroom than at the teaching tables.
1. Group of models from the same base: e.g. house, piano, couch, chair, lips.
2. Action models: frog puppet, snap dragon, jumping frog.
3. Old favorites: magazine cover box, fortune teller with pre-printed fortunes.

Article posted with permission of Wendy Zeichner.

If you find this useful have something to add please mail me
darren@floppyfish.net