The first grade class at Frick Environmental Charter School investigated problems in their classroom. One problem they decided they wanted to solve had to do with their private offices--the mini-cubicles made out of folders that they used for privacy when they took tests. The private offices kept falling over, so they came up with a solution: the new and improved private office, The Officer!

Step 1: Gather Your Supplies

Corrugated plastic board
A sticky, clay-like material (we used Weatherstrip and Caulking Cord window sealer by Mortite)
Glue gun
Ruler
Fabric (not see-through)
Ribbon (not see-through)
Marker
Scissors/Box cutter

*Optional:
Sewing needles
Thread
Logo stencil
Paint
Paint brushes

Step 2: Cut the Corrugated Plastic

We traced our old private offices to make our Officer template, but you can measure your own with a ruler and cut it out of the plastic with scissors or a box cutter.

To create the two sides of The Officer so it can bend and stand up, score the plastic to create fold creases on the left and right sides.

BE CAREFUL when you're cutting!

Step 3: Create the Fabric Roof

Arrange your plastic folds at the angle they'll be when The Officer is open. Measure the fabric over the top of The Officer to make surely you have the right amount. We used a fabric that was a little see-through so that some light could come in, but no one could see our papers through it. Cut the fabric, and then hot glue the fabric, pressing the fabric down with the end of a marker so you don't burn your fingers.

To make the edges look neater, add ribbon to cover up the hot glue. The ribbon needs to be solid (not see-through) so no one can see the messy parts.

Step 4: Add Your Sticky Grip on the Bottom

Take your clay-like material (for us, it was the Mortite weatherstrip cord) and carefully attach it all the way around the bottom edges of The Officer. This will help your Officer stand up and stay closed when you fold it.

Optional: Cover up your clay-like material with ribbon to make it look nicer.

Step 5: Optional: Sew Pockets for the Inside

Get the fabric you want for your pocket, cut it into rectangle shapes, thread your needle, and sew a pocket either by folding fabric in half and sewing two sides, or sewing two separate pieces together by sewing three sides. When your pocket is done, hot glue it to the inside of the officer to store your erasers and supplies.