IN THE CLASSROOM:Origami meets arithmetic

Students at Columbus Elementary School are learning a bit of Japanese art with their arithmetic.

Once a week for an hour in Diane Schoenrock’s first-grade class, the sounds of chattering children and out-loud reading are ceased.

When origami teacher Peggy Hasegawa shows up, the only noise is her voice and that of little hands smoothing paper into neat folds.

Hasegawa took the floor at the front of the classroom on Tuesday and began her instructions.

“The origami that we’re making is a picture frame,” she said.

The children “ooh”ed as she produced an example of the work they would attempt. She held it high in the classroom.

“You can teach your family this, but you have to learn it first,” she said. “Everybody, fold your paper into a triangle.”

She demonstrated, making her own crisp lines on the white paper she held against the board.

The 22 children started folding intensely.

This type of emphasis on following direction, attention to detail and subtle use of math is one of the reasons origami is a good match for first-graders, Schoenrock said.

She also added that the lessons were excellent English-learning tools because of the new words the children learn, such as “horizontal” and “vertical.”

“It accomplishes so many of the first-grade standards,” Schoenrock said. “It’s integrated art.”

They even learn a little Japanese when the teacher tells them the meaning of origami, which is “to fold paper.”

Over the last four weeks, the students have made swan-like birds, tulips, dogs and boxes, all from paper.

The origami classes are part of a 12-week-long art-docent program at the school provided by the Music Center/Performing Arts Center of Los Angeles County.

The workshops focus on hands-on participation and are matched with the grade’s learning outcomes, Schoenrock said.

Kaitlyn Moguel, 5, of Glendale, decided to decorate her origami frame with a variety of animals and shapes.

“I’m going to put pictures in it — of my family and my cat,” Kaitlyn said.

The frames they folded on Tuesday were decorated for an art show their parents will be invited to in November.

“I think it’s just a wonderful opportunity for the children,” Schoenrock said. “I’m just ecstatic that we have this opportunity.”

KIDS TALK BACK

The Glendale News-Press visited a first-grade class at Columbus Elementary School learning to make origami picture frames and asked them: “What are you putting on your frame?”

“Sun, stars and letters because the sun has the circle and the star is like, kind of cute.”

ASHLEY BOGHOSIAN, 6

Glendale

“Bulldogs because I like their teeth. How sharp they are.”

BRANDON MATA-ESTRADA, 6

Glendale

“Hearts, crescents and rainbows. They’re cute and nice.”

KAYLA REGALADO, 6

Glendale

“Dogs and rainbows and hearts. They’re colorful and pretty.”

KAITLYN MOGUEL, 5

Glendale

“Shapes, dogs, butterflies and triangles and circles.”

ERICK SAAVEDRA, 6

Glendale