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.

Silly Glasses

This is one of those projects where I wish I could post proper photos of the kids faces because they are hilarious! As it is I have tried my best to show their creations whilst hiding their identities.

As a bit of a fun project I gave each of my grade one students a copy of this template to decorate as they pleased. The results were fantastic! I laminated each child's glasses so as to make them more robust, which also meant that they could colour the lenses with permanent marker if they liked. Lots of fun! They loved wearing them.

 

 

African Mask Collages

 

 These collages were created by Grade 1 students who are creating African inspired art works this term. The idea for this project came from this image and I thought it could work as a Notan-type project. 

After viewing images of African masks, students were given two pieces of coloured paper of their choice which were folded long-ways down the centre. A semi circle (with an ear) was drawn on the fold and cut through both layers to create two identical head shapes, one of which was then cut vertically down the middle. The cut piece then became the piece the students drew shapes on for the facial features and patterns, flipped over and glued to the other side of the face to complete the shape. We also used hole punches to make dots to glue on as decoration or details.

This was an ambitious lesson to do with grade 1s, but I'm glad I did as they understood it a lot better than I had anticipated!

Tutankhamun Masks

My grade 6 classes are exploring the art of Ancient Egypt this term. They made these masks in Art for a class assembly item, which were inspired by photographs of King Tutankhamun's famous gold death mask. Students used cardboard, gold paint and textas. They made a cardboard head band attached to the back to hold the masks on. Thanks to Ms Evans for finishing them off in class and a huge thanks to Anna Pietrolungo (my fellow Aussie) from 'Imagine Explore Create' for the idea - it was exactly what I needed!