Paper Lantern

Paper Lantern Inspired by Enduring Issues

This paper lantern is a symbol for finding the light in the face of darkness. My students are focusing on conflicts that we have faced time and time again. Make a beautiful lantern with glowing images that have meaning and purpose. Lanterns have also always been one of my favorite things. They have been around for millenniums and have really become a symbol for hope and change.

We as and nation and throughout the world have always faced challenges but I feel like now more than ever these challenges should be things of the past. It really is sad to see that “enduring issues” are a topic for every social studies, government or history classes. What makes an issue “enduring”, well it’s the fact that there never was a solution. If we can’t come to an agreement on something like racism, then what are we doing? I suppose the question is why? And how do we ever get to a place where “enduring issues” just become a matter of the past?

Lantern With Light

For this project I used my Cricut machine and a simple lantern pattern which you can find on the system if you search “lantern”. I cut it out as big as I could using the 12”x24” mat. I drew four images on a transparent piece of paper. You could use something like vellum or even tracing paper then add color with markers or colored pencils. Cut or trim your images if you have to in order to glue them into the frames of the lantern. Then, assemble the lantern and place a flameless tea light candle inside!

The subjects you choose to depict are of course totally up to you, I have chosen to show balance of power, civil rights, environmental issues and gun violence.

Take a close look at how I’ve assembled this project in the video below. I hope you guys enjoy it!

Lantern Showing Balance of Power and Gun Abuse

Lantern Showing Forest Fire and Civil Rights