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Lesson Plans


clay self-portrait masks

From: Anna N. (anna)
Date: Mon Feb 21 2000 - 10:36:54 PST

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    I have done masks that go along with the poem "We Wear the Mask" by Paul
    Laurence Dunbar. It is one of my favorites, very introspective and the
    kids really like dissecting the poem (lit. connection) and creating a dual
    mask. To my surprise, I just got the book "Pictures and Poetry" by Davis,
    and that poem / mask is in there. I recommend this book, it'sgot some
    great poems and ideas to play around with. Anyway, the "mask" lesson. We
    read the poem, and look up any words they do not know (there are a few of
    these). I give them all their own copy of the poem, so that they may read
    it again and again and make not of vocab/brainstorming right on the sheet.
    We discuss th emeaning of the peom...(many ideas presented)and why people
    might wear "masks", when they are in certain situations, with certain
    groups of people etc... Discuss different ages, occupations, living
    conditions etc... Then I tell them a bit more about Paul Laurence Dunabar -
    that he was an Agrican American writer. Does this bring more/different
    meaning to the poem? Why do you think HE wrote it? All people can gain
    differnent perspectives- its wonderful. Then I have them draw/sketch thei
    ideas for making a mask that shows their true emotion/feeling, and the mask
    they might wear to disguise it. This could be literal or figuratively
    internalized and expressed. I have had students that did realistic
    emotional features of the face, and some have painted thier masks with
    scenes that elicit these emotions, or used symbols. We make the mask out of
    plaster of paris and forms (or use partners faces). And then we put the
    "disguise" face on the convex side of the mask, and the "hidden"
    emotion/face in the concave portion of the mask. (this can be done with
    paints. (can also do this project with montage/collage...really neat-o)
    Its great to be able to use both surface of the mask too. It a project of
    duality, human experience, and one that students really feel vested it
    doing. Not recommentded for first project of the year of course...it's
    good to have them feel comfortable with their classmates and artroom, and
    you before divulging their personal ideas.
    Hope this helps, and was moderately clear...Im in a rush!
    Any more questions e-mail me personally and Ill give you more
    Anna N. 

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