Aim:
To raise children's awareness of widespread paper-production, which began in Tudor times.

Objective:
To give children an insight into simple paper-making techniques.

Resources:
Small selection of different paper-types, wood in varying raw forms, rags, commercially-produced paper-making kits, aprons, plastic gloves, hand towels.

Method:
Discuss with children the many types of paper available these days, which were not available in the past. Let children look at some examples of paper and practically consider their uses - emphasise that paper is not merely used for writing on!

Show children a log, strips of wood, sawdust and some rags and tell them that these items can be transformed into paper. Ask them how they think this process can happen. Tell them that they are going to be involved in this process on a very small scale - show paper-making kits and explain, step-by-step, how they are to be used. Allow children, with adult help, wearing protective clothing, to use the kits to produce some paper, which will take time to dry.

When activity is completed and necessary tidying and cleaning done, tell children that Queen Elizabeth I (show picture) allowed John Spilman, a German goldsmith, to set up a paper-making business at Dartford, Kent. Discuss the implications of this related to book manufacture.