mask

What

mask

When

10/23/2018, 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM

Paper Masks

Unit: Masks - African/World cultures - Paper sculpture relief
Lesson Plan: Cut Paper Masks
Grade Level:  middle school (grades 4 through 6)

Folded Symmetrical Mask Lesson Below -
 

Vocabulary:

Symmetry, balance, relief, ritual, ancestor, concentric, geometric, exaggeration, distortion, unity.

Examples by Tracy Albert's 4th graders of May Whitney Elementary (Archive) - and Larry's Sixth graders (Archive)

 

Objectives: Students will

1.    Become aware of reasons for masks in various cultures - learn a little about the meaning of masks.

2.    Study the characteristics of masks - note design elements.

3.    Create a paper mask using a variety of paper sculpting techniques.

4.    Utilize elements and principles of design in a 3 dimensional form - show balance, repetition - integrate planning.

Materials:

Various mask handouts, 9" x 12" (23 x 30.5 cm) Construction Paper, assorted collage papers, Scissors, Fancy scissors(optional), White Glue, Fish line for hanging (optional), Feather Assortment (if desired)

 

Our drawing lesson for the mask makes it easy to create a perfectly symmetrical mask outline. The challenges for the artist will be these:

 

To create a design on the mask that is symmetrical (the right side will mirror the left).

To emphasize the nose, eyes, and mouth in the mask design while creating patterns over the whole mask, and

To create one or more motifs (a pattern you repeat) in the design. 

 

DIRECTIONS

1.    Ask students: What is a mask?

2.    Why would you wear one?

3.    Why do you think other people wear masks?

4.    How do you think you could make one?

5.    What is papier-mâché?

6.    What is an armature and how do you use it?

 

2. Introduce students to the idea that people in every culture in the world throughout history have made masks and people continue to make them today. Ask students why masks might appeal to people. (They have the power to transform an ordinary human being into something else-another person, animal, mythical creature, the force of nature, or even an idea.) Tell them that masks can be used for different purposes-for rituals and ceremonies, performances, or even just for fun.

 

3. Show students examples of masks from different cultures and time periods-Egyptian mummy masks, Greek comedy and tragedy masks, Aztec masks, African ceremonial masks, Mardi Gras masks, etc.

 

4. Discuss how masks can be made. One way is to make them out of papier-mâché. There are 3 major steps: building an armature, putting layers of papier-mâché on the armature and finally decorating the mask.

 

5. Building the Armature: Just as we have a skeleton, papier-mâché has a skeleton, which is the armature. Cardboard bowls work well as the base. You can use a heavy duty paper plate if you cut a wedge and staple the plate back together. Then take newspaper and bunch it up tight in balls or tubes to make the protrusions on the mask. Tape all additions down with masking tape. You can also use cardboard egg cartons and cardboard tubes to add relief for eyes, nose, mouth, ears, and horns. It is important to build a strong armature.

 

7.    Students should realize that they will begin with the basic face and can add things to make it more creative. Be sure to tape all additions down well.