Papel Picado Pickled Paper Project as a Test Grade! 15 Sentence Essay for a Test Grade. Due at the beginning of class on Wednesday/ Thursday, March 28th and 29th.

The History of Papel Picado Experienced Mexico travelers recognize a sure sign that a local fiesta is in progress whenever they spy a churchyard or stretch of roadway bedecked with lines of bright tissue paper cut-outs. Papel picado-- an enchanting Mexican popular art form with roots in the country's ancient cultures--lends a festive air for many types of celebrations. In its most elementary form, papel picado is fashioned much as north-of- the-border school children make paper snowflakes. Rectangles of tissue paper are folded and snipped with scissors to create geometric patterns. These are glued side by side on a long piece of string measured to needed length. This basic process, familiar to Mexican people of all ages, is used to create quick and economical decorations that may be hung outside their homes for religious and civic festivities or used to brighten an interior room or patio for birthdays and other family celebrations.

The history of papel picado Skilled craftsmen use awls, chisels and special cutting blades to render more intricate designs. Working over a basic pattern, they cut through as many as 50 sheets of tissue paper at a time. The design, often laid out over a delicate window pane background, may include figures such as flowers, foliage, birds, angels, crosses, skeletons and historic figures, as well as words or phrases associated with specific holidays. Borders may be straight, scalloped, zig-zagged or fringed. Each design is a unique and complex work of art requiring a keen ability to envision the use of negative space. Colors schemes selected for papel picado are frequently linked with specific festivities. Sky blue or pink and white are commonly chosen for celebrations in honor of the Virgin Mary, yellow and white for patron saints. Vibrant pink, orange and purple are the key tones employed for ofrendas (offerings) associated with the Day of the Dead. Shades of purple are also widely used at Easter. The colors of the Mexican flag--red, white and green--are set aside for venerating the nation's patroness, La Virgen de Guadalupe, as well as for commemorating Independence Day, September 16. Rainbow hues are appropriate for Christmas and non-religious festivities. Whatever the occasion, papel picado invariably transmits the mirthful message: ¡Viva la Fiesta! ¡Viva Mexico!

So, after you finish your papel picado, or before, whatever you choose, you are to write a 15 sentence essay in Spanish about anything that you would like. You can describe yourself, you can describe your papel picado design, you can talk about what you like and don’t like, you can talk about what you have to do, and what you are doing. Anything we have learned. Nothing from Google! Your essay and papel picado will be two separate test grades!!!! Then, on Wednesday or Thursday, you will have to present your papel picado and essay to the class. FOR A THIRD TEST GRADE.

INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO MAKE PAPEL PICADO Pick one of Profe’s 4 options or use the papel picado above you as a template. Draw template on regular half piece of copy paper than put copy paper with template drawing on actual papel picado and start to cut! Fold tissue paper a number of times. It should be folded edge to edge, not corner to corner. For younger children, don't fold too many times or it will be difficult for them to cut. Cut shapes from the paper, but don't cut off any corners (we want the rectangular shape of the tissue paper to remain). Unfold and you have your magic design. 1. 2. Cut the shapes that you want Fold your paper Unfold to reveal papel picado! 3.

4 Template Options for Papel Picado or use the options above you if you can draw them 1. 2. 3. 4.