How can paper be art?

One of my first projects as a certified teacher, awaiting her art supply order to be delivered in the first few months of the school year. I had a closet filled with simple art supplies such as construction paper, glue, colored pencils, markers, and scissors. How was I going to engage my students with such few materials?

I learned how to develop exciting and challenging art projects with little to no supplies. After teaching my students about Paper Relief Sculptures and the different techniques, such as curling, it was time for them to experiment and discover the potential of paper. Students experimented with the materials to bend and and fold until they discovered a shape they enjoyed. These abstract repetitive Paper Relief Sculptures started to develop in to deeper meanings and students were pushing their comfort zone. Students who exceeded the standard were able to incorporate origami shapes. The artworks were lightweight and easily displayed in the hallway for all student body and staff to enjoy on a daily basis.