Culminating Project:
Creating an Illustrated Accordian Book About Ancient China
Culminating Project:
Creating an Illustrated Accordian Book About Ancient China
Assignment to hand in: Brainstorming Chart & Illustrated Accordion Book
Step 1: Introduction - Look at the picture of a Chinese accordion book below and read the following text:
Scholars in ancient China traditionally wrote on long scrolls made of silk or paper. However, these scrolls were difficult to carry and store because they were easily crushed when transported. Accordion books evolved from the innovation of folding scrolls to make them less likely to be crumpled or torn. Traditionally, the Chinese used accordion books to record Buddhist sutras, or verses. Larger accordion books were made into albums to hold fine examples of calligraphy or paintings on paper or silk.
Early accordion books were made from silk remnants, tree bark, hemp, and even worn fishing nets, which were mixed with heated water in large rectangular vats. Two attendants, using large wooden poles, stirred the mixture to a pulp. The attendants then used a long screen to gather the pulp from the water. The pulp was then brushed evenly across the surface of the screen and set out to dry into paper. When it was dry, the paper was lifted carefully from the screen and sent to scholars to be written on, and then folded into the accordion format.
Accordion books are still constructed in the same format today. An accordion book is made of a continuous strip of paper folded in even sections so that each fold makes one page. Both sides of the continuous strip can be written on, doubling the number of pages. The pages at the ends of the strip are usually glued to pieces of thick bookboard wrapped in decorative paper to make the covers. Some accordion books do not have attached covers, but have covers that fold around the pages, so that the book can be removed from its cover like a letter being removed from its envelope. Covers are sometimes adorned with decorative strips of paper in the upper or lower corners. The titles of the books are usually written on these strips.
Step 2: Download, print, and read over the following handouts: Creating an Illustrated Accordion Book & Evaluation Sheet
Helpful Link: How to make an accordion book - Directions 1 OR Directions 2
Step 3: Download, print and complete the handout: Brainstorming Ideas for an Illustrated Accordion Book
Step 4: Using your research from the Brainstorming Chart, create your Illustrated Accordion Book.