elem first unit clay mask lesson plan

ART
GRADE LEVEL: SECOND
Clay Masks
Adapted by: Matt McDonald
Learning Statement
The students will be learning techniques for; properly
attaching two pieces of clay, pinching and forming clay,
removing select parts, and glazing. The lesson will be based
on the Teke tribe of the Congo in Africa, teaching the student
some of the geography and traditions of the continent.
Content-Background Information
Many African tribes made ceremonial masks and the Teke are no exception. Teke masks are
mainly used in traditional dancing ceremonies such as wedding, funeral and initiation
ceremonies of young men entering adult hood. These disk shaped masks are used as social and
political identifiers of social structure within a tribe or family.
Clay is a medium used by artists since the beginning of art. Clay as a medium starting out
functional, like the mask, and then became more decretive and creative.
Benchmarks and Standards
• ART..VA.II.2.2- Combine the use of elements of art and principles of design to
communicate ideas.
• ART.VA.III.2.2- Recognize that art is made to fulfill personal and social needs
• ART.VA.IV.2.2- Discuss the subject matter of artwork from particular cultures at specific
times.
Materials
• 25 pounds of clay.
• Assorted tools for working with clay.
• Boards for the students to work on.
• Assorted glazes.
• Brushes
• Kiln
• Circular Template
PAGE 1 OF 3
DURATION: TWO 55 MINUTE CLASSES
ART
GRADE LEVEL: SECOND
Process
Preparation Day One
• I will have all of the tools
divided for each table and
placed in baskets for easy
distribution. I will have the
boards at each seat for the
students to use after I give
them clay. I will also have the
clay precut, rolled into slabs
and a template drawn out for
the students to you to cut out
their mask. A place to put the
finished masks will also be set
aside. I will then give the
students an introduction to the
history of the Teke tribe of the
Congo and Africa. I will
explain their traditions and
beliefs. When I am done
talking about the Teke tribe I
will give the students a
demonstration on working
with clay. I will show them different techniques for removing clay, reusing scrap clay as
add ons, creating texture, removing texture or wiping out mistakes, and drawing lines in
the clay. Once I am done with the demonstration I will call tables over one by one to get
their clay, basket of tools and template. As soon as each table gets their clay they will
start working.
Activities Day One
• The students will start by cutting out their mask using the template. Next, they will
begin to draw out a design onto their mask. Once the design is drawn out the student will
begin the process of craving away clay and adding other parts to create the mask.
Preparation Day Two
• I will have the artwork fired and ready to be glazed. The glazes will be organized
analogously on the table with 2~3 glazes at each table. Each table will also have two
brushes for each color and a sheet of paper towel for each set of brushes. When the
students come into the classroom I will have them meet me on the rug or someplace
designated for meeting that isn’t their tables. I will demonstrate for the students how to
use glaze while explaining to them what glaze is and how it works. I will explain the rule
that the brushes and the glazes are mommy and children, that the brushes must stay with
PAGE 2 OF 3
DURATION: TWO 55 MINUTE CLASSES
ART
GRADE LEVEL: SECOND
their mommy to ensure there isn’t any contamination of glazes or traveling brushes
making messes. Once I have given them their instructions on glazing I will call the
students one by one to come get their artwork and start glazing.
Activities Day Two
• Today the students will glaze their masks.
Evaluation
When I evaluate the students work I will look at how well they used the template to cut out the
shape of their mask and how well the cut out the features of the face. I will also look at how
much detail they added to the mask and how many different shapes they added to the mask.
Furthermore I will look at how well they applied the glaze and how many colors they chose.
Rubric
• Great Work- The artwork was unique and colorful, the student was focused while working
and helped clean up.
•Good Work- The artwork was unique, the student was focused while working and helped
clean up.
•Almost There- The artwork was complete, the student worked and helped clean up.
•Needs to try again- The student did not complete the assignment.
PAGE 3 OF 3
DURATION: TWO 55 MINUTE CLASSES