Kites, Papalote, Milan (oiseau de proie), Drachen, 风筝

An integrated art lesson plan with science, social studies, and engineering

Compiled by Donna Pence

Kites, a gift from the Gods?

• Kite HistoryDating back 3,000 years, kites were first used in celebration of births, prosperity , and to ask for blessings by carrying messages- in the form of special shapes, pictures, and symbols- from earthbound humans to the heavenly beings.It is unclear as to whether kites originated in China or the Pacific Islands. If materials and tools are the criteria for their development, it is conceivable that either region may have been the first.

Chinese Theories for the conception of the kite

• Meng Chia’s bamboo hat

• Coastal villagers fascinated by large blowing leaves

• Mo Di (circa 400 b.c.) and his wooden bird kite, Muyuan.

Kites travel the world• 13th century Marco Polo traded kites in Venice• 16th Century Europeans took kites to the East Indies as

children’s toys• 18th Century Europeans and American use kites as tools for

scientific studies of the elements and the development of flying machines.

• Today kites are used both as tools for recreation and to keep in tough with past culture through kite festivals, like Day of the Dead in Guatemala. Giant Kites (web site and 2 minute video of festival)

Making Kites: Tools• Scissors: for cutting sails• Needle: large blunt type for threading the bridle (optional)• Yardstick: for measuring and drawing lines• Pencil: for pattern making and marking the sail• White glue: for gluing sail, tail, and spars• Glue stick: if using a fragile material like tissue paper• Tape: to reinforce and repair• Kite String: for bridles• Poster board: for sail pattern• Small saw or dikes: for cutting spars• Cutting and gluing surface: to protect the table

Making Kites: parts and materials

Important things to remember: kites can be made from traditional materials like silkspan and bamboo but they may be more expensive and harder to find, or locally available materials but adjustments need to be made to account for weight and flexibility.Frame (also called the spars or bones):Supports the sail and helps form and keep the shape of the kiteBasswood, balsawood, dowels, or bamboo. ( I look for window shades to dismantle and cut to size.)Sail (also called the cover or skin):Attaches to the frame, forming the surface that catches and deflects the wind so that the kite will fly.Paper, silkspan, tissue paper, Japanese Mulberry, Chinese Rice paper, Tyvek, Crepe Paper (tails and decorative elements) Kraft or Newspaper

Kiteline (also called the cord or tether): Held by the kite flier and attaches to the kite so it will fly. Traditional fliers used natural fibers of silk, hemp or flax. Today they use synthetic line of nylon or polyester because of cost and strength. Many fliers prefer #10 crochet thread. Avoid using fishing line as it can be dangerous. Line Winder (also called the reel):Holds the kite line,no best kind.Tail: The main purpose is to add drag, but not weight. I should act as a stabilizer and not throw the kite off balance. A tail is typically seven times the length of the sail, the stronger the mind the more tail required. Additional drag may be created by adding material to the tail or adding streamers to the sides of a kite Recommended materials are glued strips of paper, strips of cloth, or crepe paper. Bridle or Bridle legs: The lines between the sail and the kite line. Type of bridle is specific to the style of kite.Tow Point: The point of connection between the bridle and the kiteline

Construction Tips

• Knots: A poorly tied knot can result in damage to or loss of your kite. Refer to this illustrated web site

• Decorate the sail before adding the frame, a plain white kite is a symbol of sorrow.

• Spars need to be the correct length. Apply glue to the entire length of the spar. Use a spot of glue at the intersecting points.

• Design your images large and bold. Use liquid water color, ink stamps, color markers, overlayed tissue, block printing techniques.

• Noise makers are devices that will flap or vibrate to create a melodic sound

When to Fly Kites• Wind: Each kite has a recommended wind range. The best season for flying

kites is not Spring but Summer. Never fly during an approaching storm.

Light Air2-3 mph

Smoke drifts, ripples on water

Light Breeze 4-7 mph

Flags flutter, small wavelets form

Gentle Breeze8-12mph

Flags fly, waves crest

Moderate Breeze13-18 mph

Trees toss, white caps form

Fresh Wind19-24 mph

Small trees sway, moderate waves

Strong Wind25-31 mph

Large branches sway, large waves crest

“True courage is like a kite; a contrary wind raises it higher”

How to Fly a Kite

• Indoors: Kites can be flown in just the ambient air inside. Little or no tail would be appropriate for this type of flying. When done correctly it is like a dance. (5 minute youtube video)

• Outdoors: It is easier to launch with a friend holding the kite downwind with the line taught. Give the signal and have the kite launch upward. As the kite rises, pump the line and release more line. Stay away from dangerous obstacles like power lines.

Patterns, Kits, and Resources• A great book for patterns is the book Asian Kites by Wayne

Hosking. Much of the information in this presentation comes from that book plus 15 projects. The Cobra Kite is one example.

• The Drachen Foundation is a marvelous resource for authentic and well priced kits, workshops, and books, with information for teachers.

• Kites in the Classroom a comprehensive PDF detailing the integration of varied curriculum through the kite making process. Colorado School of Mines and the American Kite Association.

The Fish Kitea kit by the Drachen Foundation

• The video1. Cut out parts A-E2. Glue the straight spar on the dotted line.3. Attach bowed spar on curved dotted line4. Glue parts A and B to secure bamboo in place5. Glue fins C and D over bamboo to secure in place6. Glue tails to kite. Glue tail pieces together to make a longer

tail for stronger winds7. Attach flying line to your kite by threading winder string from

front to back, through the hole where the two spars intersect. Tie a secure knot.

Moving on: The Cobra Kite Gentle to moderate breezes. Ages 9-12 Parenthesis represent 2/3 scale)

2013 Year of the Snake for 12 year olds to celebrate Chinese New Year. “Naga” (Thai) symbolizes longevity. Taken from Hosking’s book Asian Kites • Sail and Tail: two 24” by 36” (12”x 18”) pieces of medium

weight silkspan (or similar)• Spars: one 14” (9.3”) x ¼” bamboo for spine, one 19”

(12.6”) x ¼” for top spar. , one 7”(4.6”) x ¼” for bottom spar.• Poster board for pattern, 40” Kiteline for bridle, Tail option

10 (6.6) feet of paper 7” (4.6”) tapering down. • Glue and kiteline for flying.

Cobra Kite

1. Draw half the kite on a pattern and cut it out. Fold the sail edge wide enough to take the pattern and trace the pattern onto the sail, with the pattern centered along the edge of the fold. Allow a half inch glue flap along the top edge and cut out sail. Snip at 2” intervals. See figure 1.

Decorate the head of the snake on the sail.

Figure 1. Pencil numbers represent a 2/3 scale

2. Attach spars, first the spine down the center, then starting with one top corner, glue the flap over the spar and let the glue set for a moment. Bend the spar and glue the other end to the sail. Continue across. Apply glue along the bottom spar and attach it to the sail.

Figure 2.

3. Cut the rest of the paper into 7”(4.6”) strips and glue them together to make a 10 foot (6.6’) tail. Glue the tail to the kite and taper to the end. Decorate the tail of the snake. Use a blunt needle to thread the bridle through the sail at the bridle points. Tie the ends of the bridle around the spine.

Figure 3.

4. Measure and tie the kite line to the bridle at the tow point. For extra stability, apply white glue where the spars cross.

Figure 4.

Block print face

• Students can paint or trace onto a foam plate with a pen, the face of a snake.

• The foam plate is cut out, inked up, and pressed onto the sail.

Foam plate printing

Cobra kite with mock-block-

print face