To encourage kite making in the classroom, Drachen offers these simple paper kite templates, for free download. Lessons to integrate kite making with a variety of curricula are also provided.
You must have access to an 11x17-inch printer to download the templates (try a copy center). Be sure to choose 11x17-inch paper, and click "Choose Paper Source by PDF size" under "Paper Scaling" before you print to ensure the correct scale and orientation.
No access? Then link to draw-your-own instructions below the description of each kite.
Note: Teachers, are you too busy to download or draw, let alone find bamboo and kite line? Each of these kites can be purchased in a very inexpensive kit (10 kites per kit), complete with bamboo spars, kite lines, and winders. Link beneath the description of each kite.
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Trepanier Trapezoid Kite
Elizabeth Alspaugh
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Trépanier Trapezoid: this kite, designed by Canadian kite maker Robert Trépanier, is an example of the most basic type of kite, the flat kite. Several features make it a good choice for the K-12 classroom or for children's workshops. It has a large trapezoidal sail, with plenty of room for decoration. It flies well in a light breeze. Most important, the flying line attaches directly to the spars in the center of the vent, which eliminates the need to adjust a bridle. Kiters call this design a one-point bridle.
Kono Dihedral Diamond : this kite, designed by Seattle-based kite maker Greg Kono, is an example of another basic type of kite, the bowed kite. It offers teachers a simple way to demonstrate for students how dihedral helps to stabilize kite flight. Like the Trépanier Trapezoid (above), it flies well in a light breeze and uses a one-point bridle, eliminating the challenge of positioning and adjusting a multi-point bridle.
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