8 Point Star Suncatcher

Materials: Translucent Origami paper or wax

paper (6” by 6”) Clear glue stick or tape Scissors

Picture to right shows complete suncatcher using 8 different colors of 6” by 6” sheets (12” diameter). *For a smaller suncatcher, cut paper into fourths (3” by 3” sheets).

The translucent paper you see here is literally called “kite” paper. Any translucent squares or light colored traditional origami paper will work.

Diagrammed instructions and teaching ideas by Norma BoakesFrom the book Origami Suncatchers by C. Gross-Loh

1- Begin w/the square oriented like a diamond.

2- Bring opposite corners together to form a diagonal line that splits the square in half and unfold.

3- Fold the two adjacent edges of the square into the diagonal fold you just made in step 2 and leave them there.

4- This is the finished kite-shaped unit, 1 piece of the 8 pointed star. Make a total of 8 all the same size.

To build the suncatcher, you overlap the kite-shaped units you made. The way you line up and glue pieces is shown below.

5- One piece is rotated slightly and lines up with the vertical line that goes down the center of the kite.

6- You continue this process going counterclockwise, adding a piece at a time. Each piece overlapping the last one added.

This piece is on top of the last one.

Teacher ideas for your suncatcher….

Use it to decorate your room for Back to School or another event!

Use it as a graphic organizer. You have 8 facts you can include on it.

Explore the math of the model. The unit is a special quadrilateral called a kite. You can

easily explore angles and symmetry with multiple pieces!

This model has beautiful line and rotational symmetry.

Comments or questions? Email me at Norma.Boakes@stockton.edu