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Submitted by: Cathy
Gaul Haddonfield
Friends School
UNIT: Ancient Greeks - Sculpture
Lesson: Greek Theater Masks
Grade Level: 6th grade lesson
Note: Each
class is 1.5 hours long - Adjust to your schedule
for shorter periods
Click for larger views
Objectives:
student will
Materials:
- Learn the importance of
mask in Greek theater - be aware of history of
Greek theater
- Integrate planning -
design and construct a masks that shows
exaggeration of features
- Build up features using
paper maché mash
- Enhance features with
tints and shades
- Embellish mask to add
character
- Put on a play with masks
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Vaseline
Petroleum jelly
plastic wrap (to cover hair)
plaster gauze - precut to strips
water dishes (warm water will speed drying)
Newspapers to cover surfaces
Large trash bags to cover clothes
Damp paper towel (optional- some prefer to cover
the face with one layer of paper towels first)
Paper Maché Pulp - or celluclay
acrylic paints - brushes -
mixing trays
Assorted yarns - furs - fake hair - cloth
cord for hanging (leather cord would be
nice) |
Day
1
I begin the lesson
by showing a power point presentation on Greek Theater and
the masks from online sources. We discuss the necessity of
exaggeration in theater costumes and masks especially and
how the Greeks achieved the range of emotions in their
masks using sculptural techniques. The 6th
grade class studies the Greeks and Romans in social
studies and this lesson coincides with their studies. They
sketch a mask on paper with colored pencils or crayons,
emphasizing smile or frown wrinkles, cheeks, eyebrows, etc
in exaggerated facial expressions using source material
from their classroom and library books and magazines.
They have made
plaster gauze face masks twice in the past, so they are
good at making the masks on each other. We review the
process, they prepare the supplies and make the mask of
their partners face for the second half of day one. There
are two changes in the usual molding of the face – 1.
Leave the mouth and eyes uncovered when molding the gauze
and 2. Make the expression on your face and freeze it
before your partner begins the plaster gauze process.
Note: This will
take two classes for shorter periods.
Day
2
The masks are
ready for facial expressions. I mix up instant papier
mache mash for the facial contours and exaggerations of
wrinkles, sags, bags cheeks and chins. They get lots of
time to make their masks expressive following their sketch
from day one.
Note: This will go
into a second day for shorter periods. Have a activity
ready for those who finish early.
Day
3
The base coat of
paint is applied over the mask, and blending of highlights
and shadows occurs. This gives the masks more definition
and contour. We talk about what happens as a person ages
and wrinkles form and facial muscles start to go.
Decisions are made as to hair application. I have lots of
fake fur, mop heads, yarn, doll hair in hanks, etc for
additions. These items are gathered while the masks are
drying in our drying room. Since the class is 1.5 hours, I
usually begin the next project at this stage.
Day
4
Glue gun hair and
anything else in place, touch up paint, make name tags,
drill holes for hanging - attach cord.
Evaluation: sample
rubric (revised from Marianne Galyk)
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Assessment
Rubric
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Student Name:
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Class Period:
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Assignment:
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Date Completed:
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Circle the
number in
pencil that best shows how well you feel that
you completed that criterion for the assignment.
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Excellent
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Good
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Average
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Needs
Improvement
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Rate
Yourself
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Teacher’s
Rating
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Criteria 1 – Developed and executed
plan for mask with exaggerated expression
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4
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3
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2
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1
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Criteria 2 – Built up features to
show emotion/expression - plaster addition with
paper mache
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4
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3
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2
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1
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Criteria 3 – Painted to enhance
features - embellished to add character
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4
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3
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2
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1
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Criteria 4 – Effort: took time to
develop idea & complete project? (Didn’t
rush.) Good use of class time?
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4
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3
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2
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1
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Criteria 5 – Craftsmanship – Neat, clean & complete? Skillful use of the
art tools & media?
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4
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3
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2
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1
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Total
Possible: 20
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YOUR TOTAL
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Grade
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Resources:
Introduction
to Greek Tragedy
Types
of Greek Plays
Introduction
to Ancient Theater Greek
Stagecraft
Ancient
Greek Theater Illustrated
Greek Theater
Guide
to Ancient Greek Theater
Masks
from Greek Tragedy - types of masks Purpose
of Greek Masks
Greek
Theater Masks - poor images
Greek
Masks - mosaic images Timeline
with small images Links
Information
on Greek Theater - summary - no images
Greek
mask reproductions - commercial site - more commercial
sites are online
Tragic
image - Comic
image - Actors
with masks
More
theater images from Paula Chabot.
Student
designed Greek masks (for an Art History course)
Fun
memory game activity for Greek masks
[MIDDLE SCHOOL ART LESSONS]
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