Ancient Africa
LESSON
PLANS FOR MASKS , SHIELDS AND "KENTE"
PLACEMATS
plus Ancient Africa Links
These elementary art
lessons can be utilized in studies of art history. Students can learn
about the various tribal masks of Africa and the ceremonies in which
they were used.
Purpose
Students gain a greater
perspective of other traditions and beliefs. They gain experience in
exploring several media.
Objectives
1. Students cooperate with
each other.
2. Students learn to
manipulate a variety of media.
3. Students explore
traditions of African cultures.
4. Students increase
creativity by making something new and different.
5. Students' feelings of
self-worth will increase.
- AFRICAN MASKS
Resources /
Materials
PICTURES OF AFRICAN MASKS, FACE
PATTERNS, POSTERBOARD OR OTHER HARD PAPER, PAINT, BEADS, BEANS,
VARIOUS UNCOOKED PASTA, FEATHERS, RAFFIA, YARN AND ANY OTHER ITEMS
YOU MAY FIND APPROPRIATE
Activities
and Procedures
1. View and discuss a presentation of
ancient African art.
2. Explore African mask-making by
viewing pictures.
3.Create a preliminary drawing of
mask.
4.Pass out face patterns. 5.Trace
pattern on hard paper and draw mask designs, tell students that they
may change facial features on masks. The pattern is only a guide for
location of eyes and mouth in case they would like to wear their
masks.
6.Paint masks and allow to
dry.
7. Cut mask out and prepare materials
that will be attached to masks.
8. Decorate masks.
AFRICAN SHIELDS
MATERIALS/RESOURCES
PICTURES OF AFRICAN SHEIELDS,
POSTERBOARD OF CARDBOARD, RAFFIA, OIL PASTELS OR PAINT, BROWN PAPER
BAGS OR BROWN CONSTRUCTION PAPER
PROCEDURE
1.HAVE STUDENTS TRACE SHIELD PATTERN
ONTO CARDBOARD.
2. CUT OUT SHIELD SHAPE.
3. CRUMBLE UP HALF A PAPER BAG OR
BROWN PAPER.
4. GLUE SHEIELD SHAPE TO BROWN PAPER
AND CUT EXTRA PAPER OFF AROUND THE SHIELD SHAPE.
5. DECORATE SHIELD USING OIL PASTELS
OR PAINT (CRAYONS ARE TOO DULL ON THE BROWN PAPER)
6.USE A HOLE PUNCH TO CREATE HOLES IN
WHICH RAFFIA CAN BE TIED.
7.ATTACH A HANDLE MADE OF A
RECTANGULAR STRIP OF POSTERBOARD. USE MASKING TAPE TO ATTACH THE
HANDLE TO THE BACK OF SHIELD.
"Kente" Placemat
Materials
Pictures of Kinte
cloth
black construction
paper12"X18", 1 inch strips of colored paper
Procedure
1. Have students fold a
12"x18" sheet of black construction paper in half.
2. Draw lines about an inch
apart, starting at the fold and ending an inch away from the edge of
the paper.
*Students who are use to
weaving can draw other types of lines other than straight such as zig
zag or wavy.
3.Cut on these
lines.
4. Weave one inch strips of
paper using African colors. Instruct students to use the over and
under technique.
5.Slide each strip snugly
over to the preceding strip.
6.Glue edges down on both
sides and laminate if desired.
EVALUATION
Students critique: What
design principles and elements have I used? What do I especially
like, and what would I do differently next time? Students display
masks and shields with "special" name and stories of purpose, or
students create a skit for other selected grades to observe, after
which masks are displayed.
Links
Heritage
for Kids
African
Masks pictures
Back to
homepage
Created by
Tabitha Ward
November
1997