The ‘Wood and Paper’ unit has been developed for class 8, but can also be used in earlier classes. It covers topics relating to both artisanal and industrial paper production. At the heart of this unit is the hands-on production of paper by the pupils during lessons. To do this, ‘pulp’ is first made from paper scraps and then skimmed off using sieves (instructions for making such paper-making sieves can be found at the end of the document), pressed and dried. By the end, all pupils will have made their own paper.

The unit also allows time for a visit to a paper mill. There, pupils can experience first-hand the scale of mechanised, industrial paper production.

At the end of the lesson unit, the pupils are then asked to build a stool out of cardboard that they can actually sit on – using as few materials as possible.

Alongside the PDF file, you will find all the worksheets, blackboard diagrams and slides here as DOC files – so you can tailor the content to suit the pupils’ abilities and your specific requirements.