Make Your Own Flying Fish! -- Upcycled Art With a Toilet Paper Tube

In this class, learners will make a flying fish inspired by Japanese carp streamers, called koinobori, using basic craft items like glue sticks and gift tissue paper, with a cardboard toilet paper tube as the base, using whatever colors and materials they choose.

This class will be taught primarily by example with verbal descriptions and explanations along with physical examples shown to the class as we work through the different steps of the project (scales, tail, eyes, and hanger). We will talk about how scales are structured on a fish and about layering, as well as other examples that we might see in nature (fish, snakes, etc.). Learners can choose to make their scales in a set pattern or in a random design depending on the colors of the gift tissue paper they use.

My classroom style tends to be learner-focused; I encourage conversation among the learners and welcome questions. We will also briefly discuss color theory; why certain colors complement and why others contrast. Learners of course don't have to engage in conversation if they would prefer not to -- sometimes it can be hard to concentrate on a task and also concentrate on a pattern! Learners don't need any experience or knowledge for this class, but we will be using our hands and possibly getting a little messy with the use of tissue paper and glue sticks. 

A few tips: If your learner finds cutting shapes or holding scissors challenging, it may be helpful for them to have the scales and tail pieces cut out ahead of time. The scales are made by cutting a u-shape into a folded piece of tissue paper (and if you have a piece of tissue paper folded over a few times, you can cut many scales at the same time) and the tail pieces are long cut strips of tissue paper that can vary in length and width.  In addition, this is a project that does not require perfection or precision; it's designed to be a hands-on class but the scales and tail pieces will have natural variance in size and width and length -- this is totally okay and is in fact encouraged! If your learner also does not like the feeling of glue on their fingers or hands, it's also totally OK to take hand washing breaks or to use hand wipes or paper towels during class.

Additionally, your learner may also need a few minutes after class to finish up; we'll go over all four steps (scales, tail streamers, eyes, and string for hanging) before the end of class, but different learners of course work at different paces. You will need a few minutes after class for minimal cleanup (scraps from tissue paper, glue on hands and surfaces, etc.), and you may want to have your learner work on a surface that is easy to clean or put brown craft paper (or a cut paper bag) or cardboard down before class as a safe surface to get a little messy.

Class may go a few minutes over the scheduled end time to make sure that all learners have time to work through all four steps, or if a class needs quick hand washing breaks during class. If a learner would prefer to use regular white glue diluted a little with water and use their hands or a paintbrush instead, that's also totally OK! I use glue sticks since they can be easier for me to work with, but each learner should use the materials that they personally like and feel most comfortable with. Gift tissue paper in a variety of colors tends to work best for this project, but other paper can work as well (origami or printer paper) though it takes a little more work to make that paper stick to the tube and can add a little time to finishing the project.