Papermaking Field Trip

Holly Greenberg with students

Holly Greenberg with Lola

Max, Syris and Alaira enjoying the slime

On November 2, 2010 the whole school visited Holly Greenberg, (Gulliver's Mom) at Syracuse University's Comart building to learn about the ancient Chinese art of making paper. The children learned the Kozo bark first had to be cooked, then pounded. Each child was given the opportunity to pound away! The pounded Kozo was mixed with water and some okra slime. Many of the curious children asked to dip their hands in the slime!  Finally each student had a chance to sift and and swish the bark, first in one direction, then the other. Afterwards the paper was transfered from the bamboo frame to a wet felt.  This part of the process is called "couching" which literally means "putting the paper to bed.

Quin making paper

Greer transferring the paper to the couch