We spent about a week's worth of art classes making origami recently. There is always a moment of surprise when something cute or amazing comes out of a piece of paper with a few folds in it.
The really fun part comes the day after. I begin seeing small ones, larger ones, and different colored ones. Then they start showing up in unusual places. The students have learned a new skill, and they are practicing that skill and being creative at the same time. That's good for their brains, and what is good for their brains is good for their other schoolwork as well.
