Paper Molas by 4th Graders

In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month we made a paper version of a traditional craft from Panama in Central America.  The Kuna Indians live on small islands and along the coast of Panama.  They have a tradition of very detailed sewing in layers to make blouses for women. 

We looked at photographs of molas and used what we learned to design our own out of paper.  This rubric was developed by analyzing the similarities between molas.

Rubric for Molas
1.  The animal is the biggest shape in the artwork.
2.  The animal has an “outline” around it that is made from the same shape but larger.
3.  The “outline” is an even size all the way around.
4.  The background is covered with shapes that are evenly spaced, 2 colors, one large, one smaller shape.
5.  The background shapes are lined up in rows.
6.  The animal has shapes covering it that are evenly spaced, 2 colors, one large, one smaller shape.
7.  All shapes are carefully cut and glued.
8.  The animal can be identified by the viewer.