Tree Trust: Transforming Lives & Landscapes in Minneapolis, MN

Learning with Trees

This is a great activity for students to do indoors when it is too cold to learn in the outdoor classroom.

old newspaper

large pan

water

spoon

cornstarch

blender

wire screen (like an old window screen)

wax paper

rolling pin

Tear pages of newspaper into small pieces. Place in a large pan. Add enough water to cover the paper, and soak for 10 minutes.
While the paper is soaking, mix 1/4 cup of water with about 1/8 cup of cornstarch. Stir until the cornstarch dissolves.
Pour off the water in the pan that was not absorbed by the paper. Put the paper in a blender. Add the cornstarch and water mixture. Cover the blender. Run the blender on high for two minutes.
Put the screen over the pan. Pour the material onto the screen. With your hands, spread it out so that it is thin and flat. Cover the material with wax paper. Usa a rolling pin to squeeze out the excess water. Carefully remove the wax paper.
Allow the new paper to dry completely. This may take a day or two. Gently peel it from the screen. Try writing on it. Record what happens.

What was the texture, color and odor of the paper?

Was the paper easy to write on? In what ways, if any, does it need to be improved?

How does the paper you made compare to recycled paper you buy at the store?

Do you feel that recycling paper is worth the effort? Why or why not?