African Tribal Masks

 

This lesson was created by me. I began this lesson with a video about masks. Then I talked about repetition, unity, shapes, and balance. I went over the new vocabulary with them such as relief, ritual, and ancestor. Next I talked about the history of African Tribal Artists and how they are extremely respected in their villages. Then I showed two different types of masks such as the Dan and Goma.

Finally, I showed them a picture of a real African Mask called Pende Pumbu Mask. After this was done, I showed the students the five or six different paper sculpting techniques. They only had two use at least three different paper sculpting techniques. Then I gave everyone a paper plate and the students got to choose their materials such as paint, pipe cleaners, construction paper, collage paper, crayons, colored pencils, etc. The students got really creative with their masks. For an extension activity, I would have students perform a play with their masks in Social Studies class. Also, I would have students make Native American masks and we would perform another play in Social Studies class.