Symmetrical African Mask 1

Symmetrical African Mask

Unit: Paper Manipulation
Grades: 3-4 Intermediate
Medium: Cut Paper
Durations: One Class Period

Objectives
Students will create artwork that reflects images, symbols, and ideas from
other sources. (KS)
Students will recognize the relationship between history, culture, and the
visual arts. (KS)
Students will identify and use symmetrical balance. (MO)
Art Production
1. Anticipatory Set 2. State Objectives 3. Input (art history, instructions) 4. Demo
5. Check for Understanding 6. Guided Practice 7. Independent Practice 8. Closure
1. Teacher will wear African mask as students enter the room, the mask will
then be passed around the class so the students may look through the eyes.
2. Show an example of the finished artwork. State objectives.
3. PowerPoint presentation about African masks in comparison to other
cultures including our own. Discuss vocabulary words such as ceremonial,
scarification and culture.
4. Demonstrate drawing an eye on the half sheet so that it touches the edge
of the paper, and then allow students to do the same.
5. Walk around the room and check the students understanding.
6. Model carefully cutting out the eye. Allow the students to do the same,
again walking around the room to check for understanding.
7. Describe the similarity in process for drawing and cutting out the nose and
mouth. Allow students work independently on drawing and cutting out the
remaining facial features.
8. Once student have completed cutting out their shapes, demonstrate the
method of gluing the pieces down. Start by gluing down the half sheet so
that it creates one half of the face. Then piece together the puzzle
replacing the cutouts to their original positions. Add glue to the eye cutout
then flip it over the center line and press down. Encourage students to
focus lining up their cut outs so that they match up with the center line as
perfectly as possible. (This creates the symmetry).
9. Check for understanding and then allow students to work independently
on piecing together their masks. Constantly be walking around the room
to check for understanding and help students.
10. When students have completed gluing their pieces down, line all of them
up on the table and discuss the objectives again with the class, relating
them to their pieces. Tell students what will be covered next time.

Materials
8.5x11 Construction Paper (light colors)
4.25x11 Construction Paper (dark
colors)
Scissors
White (Elmers) Glue
Pencil
Elements of Art
Shape
Space
Principles of Design
Balance
Unity
Vocabulary
Symmetrical
Mask
Ceremonial
Scarification
Culture
Art History/Resources
PowerPoint (about 5 minutes)-
africanmasks.ppt
YouTube Video (1:27)-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=haT
xx14R44o
Modifications/Notes
Encourage students who quickly
complete basic facial features (eye, nose,
mouth) to add other elements to their
masks such as eyebrows or scarification.

Symmetrical African Mask 1