Art Lesson Plan

Title: Symmetrical African Mask Unit: African Art

Grade level (s): 3-4 Medium: Cut Paper
Suggested Time: One Class Period

Instructional Objectives (2-3):

1) Student will demonstrate appropriate use of art tools and materials. (KS)
2) Student will speculate as to the purpose of subjects and styles within works of African
Art. (KS)
3) Student will identify and use symmetrical formal balance. (MO)



Elements of Art (1-3) line, color, shape, form, space, texture, value


Principles of Design (1-3) repetition, pattern, movement, balance, emphasis, contrast, unity


Materials and Equipment:
Varied colored construction paper (1) 8 ! x 11 in., (1) 4 " x 11 in., scissors, white
Elmers glue. pencils


Vocabulary (4-5):
Symmetrical Mask, Ceremonial, Facial Expression, Africa


Art Production (based on Madeline Hunter model)
1.anticipatory set 2. state objectives 3. Input: art history, instructions 4.demonstration, modeling
5. check for understanding 6. guided practice 7. independent practice 8. closure
1) Show students an actual African Mask. Talk about the construction and the context in
which the mask was created.
2) Explain the proper and safe use of scissors, Demonstrate the proper amount of glue
to use, Show examples of a variety of styles within works of African Art, Identify
symmetrical balance
3) Show PowerPoint on African masks and discuss, have examples available on table
4) Demonstrate drawing eye on ! sheet, let students do theirs, walk around the room
checking that students understand
5) Demonstrate drawing the nose on ! sheet, let students do theirs, walk around the
room checking that students understand
6) Demonstrate drawing mouth on ! sheet, let students do theirs, walk around the room
checking that students understand
7) Allow students to work independently by adding eyebrows, ears, decorative
embellishments, etc. Walk around the room offering strategies to solve design issues
8) Demonstrate cutting out the eye from the ! sheet, let students do theirs, walk around
the room checking that students understand (Play African themed music for inspiration)
9) Demonstrate cutting out the nose from the ! sheet, let students do theirs, walk
around the room checking that students understand
10) Demonstrate cutting out the mouth from the ! sheet, let students do theirs, walk
around the room checking that students understand
11) Demonstrate laying out each piece symmetrically, lining it up directly on the axis,
with the 8 ! x 11 in paper laying underneath
12) STOP! walk around the room to check that everyone has lined up facial features
properly
13) Demonstrate gluing the eye on the large sheet, let students do theirs, walk around
the room checking that students understand
14) Demonstrate gluing the nose on the large sheet, let students do theirs, walk around
the room checking that students understand
15) Demonstrate gluing the mouth on the large sheet, let students do theirs, walk
around the room checking that students understand
17) Have table helpers clean up table scraps and put away supplies in bucket. Thank
everyone for their hard work and remind them that their next class will start with a short
critic of their Symmetrical African Masks.
18) Play popcorn for line-up.