Butterfly Origami Gift

The other art teacher at my school is retiring this year.  I wanted to put together a collaborative present by students to honor her.  We were both hired here at the school 10 year ago.  She loves origami so I knew it had to be something origami-related.

I had all of her 7th and 8th grade students learn how to fold origami butterflies.  Now, I am terrible at origami, so I wanted it to be relatively easy to figure out just from the instructions.  I used these origami butterfly directions.  Each student folded about 3 or 4 butterflies.  On some of them, they wrote their name and a “wish” for her in her retirement.

Then my co-worker and I arranged and pinned all of them to a black shadowbox.

The remaining butterflies that did not fit into the shadowbox went into this cute bird cage.  I tied on colorful fake butterflies to the cage.

Here is what I said when I presented it to her at the end of the year awards ceremony.  I think she really liked it!

“Rebecca loves origami and has shared her love of origami with many students through art classes and after school art clubs. As a special thank you to Rebecca, the 7/8s have each learned how to make origami butterflies. Did you know that butterflies are a symbol of freedom? Each 7/8 has made 3 or more butterflies. Students have written special wishes on the backs of some of these or signed their names. Some of the butterflies have been placed in this shadowbox as a reminder of us as you “fly off to explore the world” through your travels. The remaining butterflies have been added to this special cage for future release. We hope you will enjoy spreading your wings and that you will take the time to experience new things in your retirement.

Thank you, Rebecca!”