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Lesson by: Judy Decker
Grade Level: 6TH Grade (suitable for grades 5 thru 8)
Unit: Sculpture - Northwest Coast Native American
Project: Totem Mask--Northwest Coast - Plaster Addition
  
Materials:

12x18 newsprint (design), plaster gauze, plastic mask forms, paper pulp, corrugated cardboard, X-acto knives,  plastic dishes (water), newspapers, wire, wire cutters, scissors, aluminum foil, acrylic paints, paint markers, squeeze paints, glue guns/glue sticks

Vocabulary:

plaster addition, armature, totem, clan, motif, ovoid, symbolism

Objectives:  Students will
  • demonstrate knowledge of North West  Coast Native American culture
  • design a mask with personal symbolism - develop problem solving skills
  • use elements and principles of design in creating a work of art
  • demonstrate craftsmanship in using materials (plaster addition, paints) - learn plaster addition technique
  • use correct vocabulary in describing work of art.
Instructional resources:

Video "Smart One: Bob Dempsey (from ArtSpace Lima), Totem Poles (CD from Lima Public Library), assorted photocopies of NW Coast Design, Wolf Clan Story (Davis Pub.), art prints (NW Coast), Internet Lesson: North West Coast Native Americans 

Resources for Endangered Animals.

Instruction:

1. Explain location of NW Coast Native Americans--introduce beliefs--show video: "Smart One"--discuss video. 
2. Present CD-Totem Poles (Lima Public Library)--let students select area of interest to them (using Destination Computer). 
3. Have students read the story about the "Wolf Clan"
4. Demonstrate totem design on 12x18 paper (symmetrical design)--go over design motifs.
5. Demonstrate plaster addition on mask form. 
6. Demonstrate cutting background card board and individual parts of mask (cardboard ears, etc) 
7. Demonstrate various kinds of animal muzzles and ways to add features.
8. Present Internet lesson http://www.princetonol.com/groups/iad/lessons/middle/nwcoast.htm

Procedures:

1. Design personal totem mask on 12x18 paper --trace around oval shape of plastic mask form to insure it will be large enough.  Extend ears and shape beyond the oval shape. Students
    may decide to represent another animal at the sides (see transformation masks). Plan face 
    with NW Coast design motifs. (some students may choose to represent endangered animals)
2. Apply two layers of plaster gauze on plastic face mold--overlap strips--keep very smooth.
    Allow to dry 
3. Cut out mask design (fold drawing so shape will be symmetrical)--Trace onto corrugated
    cardboard.  Cut out cardboard with X-acto knives.  
4. Glue plaster mask to cardboard base with hot glue gun. 
5. Plaster over edges of mask. 
6. Glue and or tape muzzle (formed with newspaper and aluminum foil), ears-etc- to plaster
    mask form--plaster over shapes. 
7. Build up features as desired with paper pulp and plaster over to smooth out surface.  
    Allow to dry.  
8. Draw facial features on mask with black permanent marker.  
9. Paint larger areas with base coats of acrylic paint (keep color plan simple--use colors
    symbolically) 
10. Paint small shapes of mask design 
11. Embellish with paint markers and squeeze paints--use to create pattern   
12. Critique work-- tell the story (writing assignment) - What story does your mask tell?

Evaluation:

KWL chart on Northwest culture (what you know...what you want to learn...and what you learned)--Video viewing guide--Student interaction with CD--Student worksheet form Internet lesson.  Student critique and story about mask

Mask-- overall design--craftsmanship--color plan-- using NW Coast motifs-- plaster and painting skills--participation/behavior/effort

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