Day of the Dead Masks

 My grade 5 students created these masks a couple of years ago. I plan to do them again this year as they turned out really well and the kids really enjoyed making them. This project was inspired by this post from 'Scrumdilly-Do', where you can also find instructions.

During the Mexican celebration of the Day of the Dead (Día de los Muertos), decorative or edible skulls or 'calaveras' are made from either sugar or clay. Small sugar skulls represent the children who have passed away, while the larger sugar skulls represent the adults. These celebrations take place over the 1st and 2nd of November and it is believed that the departed return home to enjoy the offering on the alter.

I had my students fold their paper plate in half to draw the shape of the skull so that once cut ot the shape would be symmetrical. We also discussed symmetry of design. After discussing the origins and traditions surrounding sugar skulls or calaveras, I provided many images of traditional Mexican designs on skulls to inspire student's own designs. We drew in pencil and coloured with textas (felt tip markers).

I also gave the option of using metallic pens and I think this year I will also make jewels and sequins available to them. Students may also choose to decorate the popstick handle which is taped to the back of each mask.

Paper Plate Flower Collages

My inspiration for this project came from this post at 'Pink Stripey Socks'. They had used four paper plates cut into flower shapes of decreasing size and stapled together. I gave students two paper plates each and one small circle of thick paper for the smallest shape.

I began by asking grade one students to fold their plates in half and drawing a simple pattern of petals around the edge of the semi-circle. They then cut through both layers of the plate (which proved a little difficult for some tiny hands who needed assistance) and unfolded to reveal the whole circle. Once they had cut their three circles, we stapled them together and the children used bright coloured tempera paints to paint their flowers.

Once dry, they also used oil pastels to add more colour and detail and scrap pieces of coloured paper to add leaves and stamen to their flowers. 

They were all quite different and look fantastic displayed together!

 

Paper Plate Weaving

 

Circular weavings on paper plates have been popping up on various websites for the past few years and I finally undertook this project this year with my grade fours. My students used warm colours to paint their plate as well for their weaving so as to represent a sun.