Curated OER
Masks of Africa
Students explain the purpose of masks to various cultures in Africa. They recognize the conceptual patterns used to create African masks and illustrate their understanding by creating their own masks
American Museum of Natural History
Make Your Own Mythic Mask or Puppet
No need to wait until Halloween to create a mask. Young anthropologists get involved in the centuries-old tradition of mask and puppet making with the help of an engaging resource that shows them how to craft their own masks or puppets.
National Gallery of Canada
My Mask, My Voice
Recognize Black History Month with an examination of the African diaspora and a hands-on mask-making project. Learners first view and discuss images of artwork before creating their own plaster masks.
Curated OER
African Masks
Students make replicas of African masks. They also express what attributes they would want to have as an adult and put that into their mask.
National Endowment for the Humanities
Jacob Lawrence's Migration Series: Removing the Mask
Describe, analyze, compare and contrast poets from the Harlem Renaissance. Critical thinkers analyze the imagery, characterization, tone, symbolism, and historical context of Jacob Lawrence, Helene Johnson, and Paul Laurence Dunbar. A...
Curated OER
Art of Mask Making
Students make an African mask. In this culture and heritage lesson, students view samples of African masks and learn about the importance of these masks. Students visit the African Art Museum website to view the styles of mask making. ...
Curated OER
Masking the Truth
Students explore the artistic and social significance of African masks. They create their own masks that reflect an important aspect of moving in their lives.
Curated OER
Halloween Art Lessons: Explore the Mystery of Masks
Halloween art projects take a mysterious turn as students discover the mystery and magic behind mask traditions around the world
Curated OER
Masking: Honoring Animals, Ancestors, and Gods
Students analyze the role of masks in African culture. For this African masks lesson, students read about the importance and meaning of imagery of African masks. Students observe animals in local ecosystems and create a mask combining...
Curated OER
Sundiata, Mali’s Lion King
Students investigate the history of Mali. In this African cultures lesson plan, students research the impact of Sundiata Keita as king of Mali, recognize the significance of historical Malian festivals, and create character masks to be...
Curated OER
Spirit Mask
Students create traditional African art pieces. In this visual arts lesson, students use modeling materials to craft Gabon clay masks that represent beauty.
Curated OER
Assessing Presenting the Mask
Eighth graders use a software program to recreate a mask they made in art class. Individually, they write a paper describing their mask with an loose illustration. They combine the pictures of each mask into a class book for others to view.
Curated OER
Spirit Mask Ashira/Bapunu, Ogowe River, Gabon
Explore the concept of beauty as it has been seen through the eyes of various African tribal groups. Learners create masks of beauty as they see it, taking the African concept of inner beauty into consideration. This lesson is great for...
Oklahoma City of Museum Art
Harlem Renaissance
Individuals expressed the Harlem Renaissance in diverse forms of art, ranging from poetry to photography to painting. Learners explore pieces using a carefully curated collection from the Oklahoma City Museum of Art. Included lessons ask...
Curated OER
Making Masks
Students create paper masks linking the function and purpose of masks in the past, with modern life.
Curated OER
African Masks (Pre-Visit)
Second graders observe and describe several masks from different parts of Africa housed in the Smithsonian Institute (National Museum of African Art) Washington, D.C. They use the internet to view the Smithsonian's virtual exhibits.
Curated OER
Art Through the Eyes of Youth
Students take a field trip to an art gallery reflecting on the paintings they like the most. Individually, they use magazines to find pictures related to their personality. In pairs, they make a mask to represent their ethnic group and...
Curated OER
African Ceremonial Masks
Fourth graders examine and discuss the purposes and traditions of African ceremonial masks. They design and create African ceremonial masks using various materials.
Curated OER
Nyon Nea Mask Dan, Liberia & Ivory Coast
Students create nyon nea masks. In this African art lesson, students design and create nyon nea-style hats that demonstrate beauty as used by the Dan.
Curated OER
Carnival Celebrations: Masks and Vejigantes
Students explore Carnival. For this Puerto Rico Carnival lesson, students discover the history of the cultural celebration as well as the significance of the elaborate masks worn for the festivities. Students create their own Carnival...
Curated OER
They Put on Masks
Students discover Native American culture by creating masks. In this customs activity, students create their own masks in class from plaster and paint. Students perform a skit in front of their school showcasing their mask making efforts.
Curated OER
Out and About: Masks
Students investigate the art of mask-making. In this cultural masks instructional activity, students may visit the Hancock or Horniman Museums in Britain online or in-person to discover details about cultural masks and give a try at...
Curated OER
African Masks
Fourth graders create three-dimensional paper African masks. They analyze the geographic, political, economic, religious, and social structures of Africa. they discover that masks were worn for various ceremonies.
Curated OER
Creating An African Style Mask
Students investigate the different types of African masks that are found using the internet to perform research. They draw four different images based on the images downloaded. Students must cite sources used using MLA formatting.