Instructions for Mexican Classroom Decorations

Make tissue paper flowers in a variety of colors.

Colorful paper flowers and mini maracas are two ways to decorate a classroom for a Mexican fiesta. Hang Mexican paper flowers on the walls and doorways or place bouquets on table tops in the classroom. Mini maracas can help illustrate the music of the Mexican culture; they also fit well with the colorful paper flowers to decorate the space. Both projects are simple to make, get the kids involved in making the decorations, and the classroom will soon pop with color and the music of maracas.

Things You'll Need

• Tissue paper
• Ruler
• Scissors
• Pipe cleaners
• Craft sticks
• Two empty film canisters
• Craft knife
• Acrylic paint
• Paint brushes
• Rice/beans/beads
• Colorful duct tape

Instructions

Mexican Paper Flowers

1. Cut four 6-inch-by-12-inch sheets of tissue paper. Make single-color flowers with one color of tissue paper or multi-colored flowers with up to four different colors of paper. Stack the sheets, one on top of the other, on a flat work surface.

2. Fold the 12-inch edge of the stack upwards into a 1-inch fold. The fold should contain all four sheets of tissue. Flip the stack over; the folded edge is now facing the work surface. Make another 1-inch upward fold along the same edge. This type of fold is known as a fan fold.

3. Continue to flip the stack over and make 1-inch fold for the width of the stack. You will have an accordion-type section measuring 1-inch wide by 6-inches long when the fan fold is complete.

4. Trim both ends of the folded strip into a semi-circle. This step will create rounded petals on the Mexican tissue flower.

5. Fold a pipe cleaner in half. Slide the pipe cleaner over the center of the paper strip. Twist the pipe cleaner tightly around the center of the paper to create an indentation at the center of the strip. The pipe cleaner is the stem for the flower.

6. Open the tissue folds on both sides of the pipe cleaner in a fan formation. Gently separate the layers of tissue, pulling each layer upwards as you open the folds. Each layer f tissue forms the petals of the flower. Arrange the petals around the pipe cleaner to create a full and fluffy flower shape.

Mini Maracas

1. Paint the outside of the film canisters, the canister lids and the craft sticks with colorful acrylics. Allow the paint to dry completely.

2. Cut slits into the top of the film canister lids equal to the width of the craft stick. Teachers should make the cuts for school-age children.

3. Fill the film canisters half-full with rice, beans or small beads. Place the lid on the canister. Tape the lid in place with a strip of colorful duct tape.

4. Insert the craft stick into the slit on the canister lid.

References

• Making Friends: Film Canister Shakers
• KCKPL: How to Make a Mexican Paper Flower

Resources

• Kaboose: Tissue Paper Flowers