Origamido Programs at Schools, Libraries & Museums!

Authors and artists, Michael LaFosse and Richard Alexander, are seasoned and respected presenters of the art of origami. Michael began teaching origami in 1969 and Richard has been teaching for over twenty years. They have developed a versatile repertoire from which they can select and tailor their own designs for instructional and entertaining programs appealing to people of all ages and abilities.

Origami in the classroom augments various curricula, from “K through Graduate”.

“We enjoy working with teachers to prepare presentations tailored to stimulate discussion and learning. Origami’s hands-on aspect grabs the students’ attention so the lessons are especially enjoyable and memorable. We often suggest follow-up exercises and folding challenges to extend the benefits well beyond the initial program.”

There are hundreds of origami subjects. They range from abstract to realistic—cranes to planes, and everything in between. Origami augments discussion topics from mathematics, geometry, and algebra to biology, zoology, ecology. Cultural topics include mythology, music, geography, art, and architecture. Some models are perfect to engage critical thinking, communication, public speaking, and teamwork management.

Many lessons employ “Story-Gami,” a technique that makes the lessons more memorable and effective.

Expand the sections below for more details:

We now offer live streaming Origamido Studio math, art, or cultural origami enrichment lessons for schools, libraries, and museums.

If you can host Zoom sessions for your classroom or institution, you can book live sessions with either Michael LaFosse or Richard Alexander.

Program Fee: $100 per class* for a typical, 45-minute to 1-hour session.

*A class is typically 30 or fewer students for any single classroom setting. We understand that some may be physically present in the classroom while others may be remote-learning at home or off-site, connected via Zoom. (We can accommodate larger groups at an additional cost.)

Materials: We will provide a description of the sizes and types of papers needed for each lesson. We can also supply a set of individual envelopes, each with the appropriate papers for $1.00 per person (plus shipping**).

** If you plan your sessions at least two weeks ahead, we can ship your full set of supplies to a single address for your distribution to the students. Alternatively, the materials may be picked up in Haverhill, MA.

Our School Enrichment Programs are ideal for grades K – 6. We can customize the topic to suit your students’ place in the curriculum. 

Choose from these categories:

  • Arts and Crafts
  • Math and Geometry
  • Story-Gami (Origami with story-telling. Students recreate the project using the story plot.)
  • Asian Culture (Perfect when studying a particular Asian culture or celebration.)

Note: A classroom teacher, library, or museum staff member must host and facilitate the Zoom session, take responsibility for muting and unmuting microphoness, monitor feedback, call on students to answer questions, etc.

Contact us for more information!

Local programs, within a 20-minute drive from Haverhill, MA:

  • $185 for a 1-hour presentation, $125 for each additional, consecutive hour (MUST be within a 20-minute drive from our Haverhill location to qualify for this rate and so no travel expenses are charged.)

Programs within a 1-hour drive from Haverhill Massachusetts, but beyond 20 minutes:

  • $375 for the first hour on-site, and $200 for each additional, consecutive hour on-site.
  • Reimbursable mileage, Round Trip (RT) is charged at the current IRS reimbursement rate per mile. We use online mapping to calculate the mileage between your address and ours.
  • DISCOUNT BLOCKS for venues within a 1-hour drive from Haverhill, Massachusetts:
    • School programs booked in half, or full school-day blocks; sessions may be 45 or 60 minutes long.
    • Schools: $575 for half-day (Completed by noon, or started after noon.) Reimbursable RT mileage applies.
    • Schools: $975 for full school day. Reimbursable RT mileage applies.

Programs beyond a 1-hour drive:

  • A program fee of $1,250 per performance day, door-to-door rate (see below), plus travel costs (airfare, if applicable, and accommodations for overnight stays).
  • Travel by car calculated at the current IRS rate per mile, RT
  • Travel days are also charged at the discounted school daily rate of $975 per full day of travel, door-to-door, to/from your venue when travel occurs on days other than the scheduled program date(s).

All folding materials are included in the program fees, with the exception of advanced origami, for Master Classes, and papermaking programs, which will be charged for special materials. (We will quote on a case-by-case basis, depending upon the materials and quantities needed.)

Art & Math

Even though one need not have any specific knowledge of math to do origami, folded paper forms and methods make excellent tools for exploring and explaining many math concepts in an eloquent and effective way. Since all grades study and use arithmetic and math, and most folding exercises review concepts learned earlier, origami is an excellent platform for students in any grade to refresh their math thinking in a practical way.

Concepts may include counting; computational skills; fractions; decimals; ratios; percentages; geometric shapes; area; volume; angles; trigonometry; algebraic expressions; plane and solid geometry; and even the Pythagorean theorem… We use appropriate math terminology, carefully chosen for each lesson.

When the students’ sculptural products are proudly displayed they can be appreciated by the whole school community as an art installation. Such displays (as mobiles, or wall art) challenge the students because their craftsmanship, as well as choices of theme, colors, sizes, and composition will be on view. This engages the students even more.

Culture/History

Although the word Origami is Japanese, many people assume that origami is strictly Japanese. In fact, the paperfolding arts have never been limited to Japan, and wherever there has been paper, there has probably been paper folding. Beginning with China nearly 2,000 years ago, each country has developed various kinds of papers for particular purposes, whether practical (for wrapping, packaging, or writing) or for entertainment and the decorative arts.

It is interesting and valuable to learn how paper was used in different places and at different times; how vital paper has been, and continues to be in the flourishing of cultures, trade, and communication among nations. With the help of paper, public communication was a critical step for humankind’s move into the modern era. The computer and electronic communications came much later, but it is doubtful that they could have ever been developed without paper. If anything, the communications revolution has accelerated the development of origami as art by putting designers and creators in direct and easy contact with each other and their works.

Students will learn about paper, its production and properties, and the significant places and times of its development. We use origami models, representing different cultures and times. The subject of these designs prompts short research and writing projects. Origami’s engaging quality sharpens interest in the subject, and each student is encouraged to discover and present a different aspect of the topic. Origami art also helps to illustrate the theme. Perhaps students would be required to write a short piece about an origami design and its connection to the topic.

The Natural World

Plant and animal subjects abound within the origami repertoire: birds; fish and other animals… the blossoms and leaves of plants; … the inhabitants of every biome including pond life; oceans and the seashore, polar regions; deserts; rainforests… Concepts such as pollination; predator-prey relationships; the remarkable metamorphosis of the butterfly; biomimicry…These are just a few of the themes that we have explored via origami with students in the classroom.

Cultural Customs

From ancient times to modern, many countries have unique and charming customs, and many origami projects illustrate these. In Japan, how one wraps a gift can have distinct meanings and cultural implications; in Spain, there is a little paper “pet,” the Pajarita, a beloved little abstract bird that many know how to fold; and now prevalent throughout the world, holiday trees are decorated with origami is an annual favorite. Students could learn about these and other traditions, or make up their own, new tradition, using their origami to tell the story.

Cooperation / Communication skills

There are also modular origami (multi-piece constructions) that are especially appropriate to each grade level. Students fold multiples of origami unit “puzzle pieces” and then assemble them into the final display piece. Completed works might be wall hangings; others could be mobiles. Students work together and critique the result, learning about cause and effect, quality control, communication and leadership. Some may be required to teach others how to fold the units.

Critical Thinking skills

We tailor the presentation of origami instruction using origami puzzle models to develop and promote critical thinking, including visual and verbal problem solving, logic, and adaptation. Teachers love this unit! It can be adapted to all ages, and it does not require math skills to be successful.

Abstract Art

To one degree or another, all origami models are abstractions of the subjects they represent. The degree of abstraction can vary. Students will learn about abstract art and will practice making abstract origami sculptures. We also present, with images and in-person, masterful examples of origami art, that emphasize the elements of this new and exciting style of origami art.

Master Classes

Master classes are designed for well-versed origami artists and designers who wish to further their skills and understanding of the art. We teach at origami conventions and to groups of advanced origami students worldwide. Topics include wet-folding, the appreciation and the special preparation of fine papers. Michael and Richard can prepare lessons based upon the style and complexity demanded by the venue. We can then select or make the appropriate papers for the projects and skills to be studied. Participants must be appropriately qualified for these classes and we can advise you on how best to do this. We want students to be challenged, but not to become frustrated by “getting in over their heads”!

Origamido® Paper & Papermaking Workshop

Purchase Origamido® paper in person, or come and make your own paper with us at our studio! [click here for information]

Contact us for more information!