06 Feb A Summary of The Third Year of Paper Sloyd

As we near the end of our paper sloyd journey, and enter our third year of paper sloyd, I feel the urge to sit back in my chair, cradling my cup of lukewarm coffee, and smile. We did it! We tackled this mountain and we overcame it!

I think back to our first year of homeschooling, not daring to take on this confusing and inexplicably complicated subject with the weird name. And although I trusted Charlotte Mason and her principles, I simply couldn’t understand the purpose behind it. We put it off and put it off. In fact, we put it off until I felt like we couldn’t move forward in our handicraft curriculum until we had taken the time to really examine sloyd.

As we moved through the first year of paper sloyd, we struggled, but I noticed certain skills begin to emerge. The purpose began to come clear, so we continued. As we moved through the second year, more skills became evident, and the effects of sloyd began to spread. We saw the effects of it in our home, as our children showed less and less interest in TV, and more and more interest in their own little craft projects. I enjoyed watching them become more invested, more accurate, and more aware of small details in their work.

What Has Changed in the Third Year?

The benefits of the second year have only continued into our third year of paper sloyd. The third year brought new models and new challenges. By this time, though, we had developed enough confidence to know that we could meet these challenges. Each model was interesting and most had a genuine use in our daily lives. I’ve delighted in seeing certain models appear on holidays as gift boxes, lost tooth boxes, and even as burial boxes for lost pet fish.

Again, the benefits have extended far beyond paper sloyd. My children no longer have any interest in TV or mindless screen consumption. In fact, I’ve cancelled my Netflix subscription. They have both developed their interests in ways that have amazed me. My son can crochet anything that you throw at him. In fact, for a period of time he was taking orders for custom projects. My daughter began her own set of hobbies, including needle felting, where she creates incredibly realistic animals.

A Collection of All Models from the Third Year

The following is a list of all of the models from our third year of paper sloyd education. As in previous years, these are meant to be practiced over several weeks, until the student feels confident and independent creating them. If a student struggles with one model, it is important that we don’t push them until they lose enjoyment of it. Paper sloyd should be enjoyable to all and a pleasant occupation in the afternoon.

1. Pocket-Comb Case

2. Pyramidal Catch-All

3. Conical Flower Holder

4. Postal-Card Holder

5. Hexagonal Tray

6. Pin Cube

7. Whisk-Broom Holder and Whisk-Broom Holder Pocket

8. Measure

9. Calendar Leaves and Back

10. Extension Envelope for Clippings

11. Box With Cover

12. Round Frame

13. Blotting Pad

14. Twine Holder

15. Sliding Pencil Box

16. Match Holder

17. Letter Holder Back and Pocket

18. Bank, Chimney, and Roof

Paper sloyd should be enjoyable to all and a pleasant occupation in the afternoon, and indeed it is. We have come to love our paper sloyd education, and I genuinely hope that is the case in your homeschool as well! There are so many benefits to this activity! I really hope that your family is enjoying these benefits. I also hope that our videos at Happy Handicrafts are a little help to guide your students who may struggle with this occupation. It has become a source of enjoyment for us, and I hope it can be for you, too!