Origami as cohesion and care
The subject of our class was origami. I started by showing them how to fold a single piece of paper, carefully stressing the importance of forming an accurate crease, folding with intention and confidence, and replicating the folds to make building blocks for a bigger sculpture. The class very eagerly started making the pieces. Of course there were difficulties. Folding takes time and patience, but eventually once they knew how to make one, it was a meditative flow in which everyone was building together.
Once the class perfected folding a single piece came the fun part. Joining the pieces together. Now the creativity of the class came in as everyone started making difference shapes and creations with their blocks. We had used recycled cut paper from old classes and so they blocks they were using had already been worked once.
A handful of people showed us their sculptures the following class, some were too attached to them to part with them.