African Paper Masks 1st grade art lesson

African Paper Masks

Children love this lesson. I did this last year with my first graders but I had them add feathers and other art materials. Big mistake with my kiddos. I had them tape the raffia and feathers but  they had so much trouble with this part that I decided to scrap it and have this years kiddos just make the paper mask part.
We discussed masks from African and how they all have symmetry.
Students traced a paper mask pattern from Roylco on to their choice of colored construction paper (only natural colors).

Some of the kiddos needed help cutting out the eyes but most of them did okay.
The last part was to decorate them with oil pastels.

1st grade African collage paper masks

1st grade African paper collage masks 

I used Roylco blank paper masks 11" x 15" for this lesson for my first graders. They were around $11 for a pack of 20.  I bought enough for each student but  next year I will have the students trace them onto card stock or heavier paper and cut them out (save my school budget!). 

On the first day I showed various photos of African masks and discussed the meanings behind each one.

Helmet Mask (hemba)
early to mid-20th century

Unattributed Suku Artist
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Cincinnati Art Museum

Students then had a choice of either brown or red washable tempera paint to paint their mask. 

On Day Two students used oil pastels to add designs to their masks. We discussed how important it was to create symmetry in their art. 

On day three students added raffia, shells and feathers. We assembled the raffia on the back first. I went around and taped it for them. Students at this age would get frustrated if they taped the raffia themselves (and waste a lot of tape!). 

Yes we had raffia everywhere!!!

The last step was to staple the top. Here is a photo of before and after the staple. 

Before the staple. 

And after we stapled it. 

Students loved this project. It was really messy on the last day (with all the raffia) but the results were awesome!!

Paper masks kindergarten

This is a great lesson to introduce around the Mardi Gras season. I purchased these paper masks from an art supply store.  They are around $5 for a pack of 50! I have a collection of masks from my travels so this is one of my favorite things to teach. 

We discussed the term "symmetry" and pointed out where we saw this in my masks. I also showed them several examples of symmetry in butterflies and moths. Boy, were students excited to get started!

Students colored their masks with colored markers. If they wanted they could add glitter and feathers. 

I had trays with paper so the students could independently put their glue on their masks and sprinkle the glitter on. Each color of glitter had it's own tray. Students were only allowed to  chose one color of glitter. Its kindergarten! 

On the next day, students glued a colored craft stick to the back and or feathers. 

Since teaching this for many years, I only like to purchase the simple masks as purchased above. The more elaborate the masks are, the harder they are to punch out. 

                                               This is my updated version of teaching the lesson.