- Definition
Scoring" means making a crease in paper so it folds easily, or scratching the surface of clay pieces before joining them so they stick together better.
Using the edge of a ruler to press a line into cardstock before folding it to make a card is scoring.
How to teach this in 30 seconds
Try this analogy: Scoring is like the perforated line on a cereal box that helps you open it with a clean, straight fold.
Ask your child: How could you make this paper fold in a perfectly straight line?
Common mix-up: Kids often confuse this with getting points in a game. In art, scoring is a preparation step to make paper fold neatly or to help clay pieces stick together.
Examples
- Scratching criss-cross lines on the rim of a clay pot and the bottom of a handle before attaching it.
- Gently pressing a line into paper with a paperclip before folding it to make a paper airplane.
scoring is a term used in Ontario’s Kindergarten to Grade 8 curriculum.
Where this shows up
The descriptions on this page are SmartStudy’s own original, plain-language writing — not the Ministry’s wording. They are aligned to the Ontario Curriculum, © King’s Printer for Ontario. For the Ministry’s official wording, see the source link below. SmartStudy is an independent service and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the Government of Ontario or the Ministry of Education. Ontario Curriculum and Resources ↗
