Walking Through a Sheet of Paper Magic!
Name of Activity: Walking through a sheet of paper magic
Type of modality
mind game/magic trick
Type of play
Shared cooperative
Interaction pattern
Extra-individual or aggregate
# of participants required
2 or more (to show off the magic trick)
Equipment/supplies
8.5 x 11 inch sheet of construction paper, scissors
Facilities required/environment
No specific
Precautions
Be cautious of sharp scissors& paper edges to
avoid cuts
Task Analysis
1. Tell a person about the magic trick “I can fit through a sheet of paper”
2. Fold the sheet of paper in half “hamburger style”
3. Cut lines approximately one inch apart from one side of the folded paper to about the center line
4. Cut lines approximately one inch apart from the other side of the folded paper to about the center
in between the initial cuts
5. Next, cut the layers apart on the edge with the fold. BUT do not cut the first flap or last flap’ edge
1
6. Open the paper and now the single sheet of paper has a giant hole, large enough to fit a whole
person through
7. Physically move through the paper’s hole.
Activity Analysis
Category
Primary body position
Skills
Sitting then standing
Part of the body required
Hands, UE & LE limbs
Movement
Perception
Bending, carrying in the hands, grasping (scissors), lifting,
manipulating, picking up, pulling paper open, putting down
scissors, releasing scissors.
Static sitting balance, dynamic standing balance, crossing
midline, fine muscle coordination, flexibility, gross muscle
coordination, UE AROM, visual-motor integration bilateral
integration –cutting with one hand, holding paper with the
other.
Focused attention, divided attention (talking to others),
concentration, initiation, organization and planning, recognition
of size, sequencing, spatial operations
Conversation, handling criticism, interpersonal interactions,
maintaining social space, physical contact, regulating behavior,
self-expression, social conduct, social cues, showing tolerance
Tactile function, visual function
Communication/language
Expression of spoken language, producing body language
Self-care
N/A
Physical
Cognitive
Social
Psychological/emotional (possible) Joy when trick is completed and you have fooled your audience,
anger and frustration if task was done wrong (e.g. you
accidentally cut the end flaps) or audience does not enjoy the
trick.
SIMPLIFYING AND COMPLICATING THIS ACTIVITY
Ways to SIMPLIFY demands
Ways to make more COMPLEX
2
Cognitively
Draw dotted lines on the actual
paper for easier to follow
directions
N/A
Physically
Use a larger piece of paper to
begin with, use comfortable
scissors, divide the tasks so one
person does not have to do all
of the cutting
Use the finished trick to create
a game such as a relay in which
participants have to each move
through the paper, requiring
balance, stretching, flexibility.
Socially
Perform in front of only 1
person
Perform in front of a larger
crowd
3