Masks & symbolism

  Students use symbolism to describe a transformative event in their personal narrative in language arts. The outside of the mask symbolizes the public side while the interior of the mask is the personal/ private aspect of the event.  The thinking behind each mask is often greater than what the mask itself appears to show.   The teachers are often surprised by how much they learn about their students, how much student to student collaboration and discussion happened and how the project transformed the feeling of safety and capacity for sharing within the classroom.  
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Where to get the paper masks: This is one source for the masks we used  and here is another source.  The usual price is a little more than $1 per mask.
We get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.

Mask Powerpoint

This Powerpoint shows the history and culture of masks, introduces the project and the teaching artist.

Mask building 

Presentation over several days detailing how to build geometric and organic forms as well as painting and color theory

Timeline

A suggested eleven day timeline for this project which alternates between ELA and Art instruction.

Symbols 1 

In this worksheet student look at overused cliché symbols and how they compare to symbols that come from personal stories.  Works well after this presentation.

Rubric

Assessment rubric for this project
Here is simpler version.

Symbols 2

The elements of art such as color, texture and value as well as the principles like size communicate  different things.  

Painting Skills

This is a quick (25 minute) exercise in how to mix paint and control the paintbrush.  The teacher version with answers is here.  

Mask partitioning

Consider how the various areas of the mask each have special significance and can be used to convey symbolic meaning.

Storyboard

A storyboard to help plan the narrative