Out of the Box

Gr 3 Up—Westing explores the art of crafting and building with recycled cardboard packaging. Moving beyond typical dollhouses, playhouses, and race cars, the author provides detailed projects that will help kids develop fine motor skills through cutting, drawing, rolling, bending, folding, and more. The crafts spark creativity and inquiry and move students beyond storebought toys. The content spans the seasons: the "ring toss challenge" and "balancing butterflies" are great options for spring and summer, while children will enjoy making the "cardboard theater" on colder days. The colorful imagery and thorough instructions will pique the interest of upper elementary students and older kids alike. Younger children could complete these crafts with assistance, and these projects would also fit well with art and math lessons on shape, proportion, and ratios. Projects such as the "hero's helmet" and "pharaoh's finery" would supplement literature and history classes. The few photos feature a diverse group of children.