LESSON SUMMARY- TRIBAL MASKS

Title of Lesson

Ceramic Tribal Masks

Arizona Academic
Standards for the
Visual Arts

Strand
Strand
Strand
Strand

1
1
1
1

Concept
Concept
Concept
Concept

1
2
4
5

PO
PO
PO
PO

301,
301,
301,
201,

302, 303
302
302
202

Strand 2 Concept 3 PO 301

Strand 3 Concept 2 PO 202
Pre-test of
understanding

Ask students what is a mask? What were masks originally

used for?
Masks are facial adornments that are designed to
cover part or all of the face, and are designed
specifically for different uses. Original uses include
ceremonial or ritual costumes, protection, disguise,
and connecting with the spiritual realm.

Grade Level

Mixed High School (10-12)

Enduring Idea

All of us develop and communicate through visual symbols.

Essential Question

How do masks serve as works of art?

Measurable
Objectives(s)

After students demonstrate an understanding of how masks

have traditionally been used in tribal cultures, each student
will effectively form a ceramic mask that incorporates
symbols and tribal elements.

Resources &
Materials

Masks PowerPoint Presentation

White computer paper 8 x 11 (1 per student)
Mask template worksheet
Drawing pencils
Clay
Mask forms (1 for each student)
Paper towels
Various ceramic tools (for entire class)
Needle/pin tool
Loop tools
Metal serrated ribs
Metal flat ribs
Rubber ribs
Sponges
Modeling tools
Sure-forms
Newspaper
Various hardware
Nails
Screws
Bolts
Nuts
Ware boards/ plastic throwing bats

Slab roller
Rolling pins
Rulers
Toothbrushes
Various glazes
Various underglazes
Various slips
Various sized paint brushes
Electric kiln
Kiln shelves
Kiln stilts/pillars
Motivation

I will show images of masks created by previous students and

different cultural tribal masks.

Vocabulary

Appendage: a thing that is added or attached to something

larger or more important
Mask: a covering for all or part of the face
Natural elements: things that are direct products of wildlife or
the botanical world (i.e. feathers, hair, antlers, quills, fur,
branches, etc.)
Hardware: durable equipment; usually relating to tools,
machinery, or technology

Activities/Sequence

1. Explain to students that for the next project everyone will

be making a tribal mask. Students get to choose the
symbols and the extra materials used to decorate the
mask, but they will be working mostly with clay to create
their piece. Hand out one sheet of each worksheet to
each student:
a. Masks: Using the Face and Symbols to
Communicate
b. Symbols
2. Explain each worksheet to students:
a. Masks: students are to pay attention to the
presentation and fill out the blanks, take notes, and
ask questions as they come up. This sheet will be
what students use to study for the quiz.
b. Symbols: as each symbol listed on the sheet is
introduced to the class, students are to draw the
symbol and write out its meaning in the appropriate
space provided.
3. Present the PowerPoint titled Masks. Have students
complete both worksheets as information comes up (see
the PowerPoints notes)
4. At the end of the presentation, ask students if they have
any questions about the material just covered. Answer
any questions that come up.

5. Have students turn to the page in their Masks packet

where the project requirements checklist is. Explain the
requirements for this project as listed on the checklist; if
one of the items on the checklist is missing, students will
lose points on their final grade.
6. The last sheet in the Masks packet has 8 sketches and 8
notes sections. Instruct students that in the next 10
minutes they are to complete 8 thumbnail sketches of
mask ideas, and write in the notes section any specific
features, characteristics (i.e. color, natural elements) that
they would like to use.
7. As students complete their thumbnail sketches, provide
one of the mask templates to each finished student. They
are to fully draw out their mask on the template and write
down what 3 natural elements and 3 clay appendages will
be included on their mask.
8. Demonstrate to the class how to use a slab roller, and
begin making their masks
a. Roll out a slab that is inch thick, and wide enough
to fit over a mask form
b. Place a paper towel over the mask form, then lay
slab onto the paper towel
c. Gently mould the clay slab around the mask form,
smoothing out creases as you go (if the clay is too
dry, it will bend and crack instead of contouring to
the form)
d. Show students how to attach appendages and cutout shapes
e. Make sure that students are shown how and where
to place hole on sides to hang masks! See mask
template for placement
f. If color is wanted, demonstrate how to use
underglaze on greenware
g. Show students how to place hardware pieces in
mask while still in the greenware stage (will be fired
with the piece)
9. Check each students complete template before allowing
students to proceed with making slabs for this masks.
10. Instruct students that all natural elements will be added
to the mask after it has been glazed and fired, unless it is
hardware (which is bisque fired with the mask) or if it is
going to be melted glass (added during glaze firing).
11. Have students work on creating their masks, providing
guidance and instruction along the way
12. Demonstrate to students how to finish preparing masks
for bisque firing:
a. Clean up edges

b. Clear debris from surface and carved areas

c. Name is written on the back
d. Well-attached pieces
13. Before students are able to submit their piece for bisque
firing, their names MUST be written on the back of the
mask, hole for hanging, and edges must be cleaned up
nicely.

Tribal Mask Project Rubric

Thumbnail
sketches

Template
drawings

Design

Constructi
on

Poor 5
Less than 8
sketches;
sketches took
more than 8
minutes to do;
designs have
little to no
variety
No template
drawings;
template
drawing(s)
show no
details; few to
no notations
Project does
not have all
requirements;
little to no
surface
design; poor
or no use of
natural
materials

Average 15
8 sketches;
sketches to
5-8 minutes
to create;
designs have
some variety

1 or 2
complete
template
drawing(s);
shows little
detail; some
notations
Project has
all
requirements
; simple
surface
design (color,
pattern,
texture);
good use of
natural
materials
Piece is
Piece is a
sloppy, very
little messy,
messy, or
has some
broke during
debris, a few
firing;
cracks; some
appendages
appendages
continue to fall are unstable
off (did not
or broke off
slip and
(poor slipping
score); mask
and scoring);
is very heavy
mask is
for its size and somewhat
materials
heavy for its
used; did not
size and
clean inside or materials
edges of mask used; inside

Excellent 25
8 sketches;
sketches took
5-8 minutes
to create;
designs vary
greatly
2 complete
template
drawings;
shows great
detail; many
notations
Project has
all
requirements
; intricate
surface
design (color,
pattern,
texture);
interesting
use of natural
materials
Piece is clean
and free of
debris,
cracks, or
mess; all
appendages
are neatly
and soundly
attached
(excellent
slipping and
scoring);
mask is not
heavy for its
size and
materials

and edges of
mask are
somewhat
clean

used; inside
and edges of
mask are
clean

Total:

____/10
0