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Art and Life in Africa Project

Lesson Plan Databank


Plan Number: 041

Title/Lesson/Theme: Metal Tooled Masks

Designed by: Sue McNiel

Grade level/Discipline: Grades 5-6/Art

Estimated Time: 6-8, 50 min pds.

Objectives (what will be assessed?):

Student will create an original mask. Student will incorporate the use of line, shape and design in the mask in an expressive way. Student will identify a significant life experience or passage and incorporate it into the mask image. Student will learn how masks are used in African society. Student will demonstrate a mastery of the metal tooling process.

Description/Background:

Art & Life in Africa CD

Step by Step Procedure:

1. Students will view a slide presentation of masks from Art & Life in Africa CD, This presentation will be organized to group styles together, for example animals masks, realistic masks, masks displaying exaggeration or emphasis on design elements. Information about the function of these masks in the African society will be included in during the slide show.

2. Students will choose an emotion or physical element to emphasize and/or exaggerate that will convey their personal feelings about a significant experience or passage in their life.

3. Each student will create an original design, no larger than 12" x 18" on white paper with pencil.

4. Most designs should touch the edges of the masks or other designs because the final tooling process works better if this procedure is followed.

5. Creative use of line, shape, repetition and variety will be emphasized.

6. Drawings will be traced on to the metal foil.

7. A tooling demonstration and short practice test will be done before students begin working on their masks.

8. Tooling requires 3/4 weeks.

9. An India Ink patina may be applied by painting it on and wiping off with wrinkled paper towels. Masks are generally cut out after all tooling and inking is done.

10. Some students like to add permanent marker designs, feathers, raffia and jewelry to enhance the final piece.

Assignment in CD (essays, chapters):

Slides and information from the CD will be presents on a big screen by the teacher. Students who are absent will view the slide show individually on the computer.

Studio Materials Needed:

Metal embossing foil, metal tooling tools, India Ink, raffia, yarn, feathers, wire and beads

Vocabulary:

Repetition, bas relief, texture, abstraction and realism, symmetrical and asymmetrical are some art terms plus additional vocabulary(to be determined) that would relate more directly to the African elements.

Evaluation/Assessment tool (how will objectives be assessed?:

All masks will be critiqued in an ongoing fashion during the lesson. The student is expected to creates an original design for the mask, follows the procedure steps, complete their mask and masters the tooling process.

Bibliography/Alternative resources:

Websites:




Submitted 7/28/98