Cut Paper Masks

Grade 5/6: Exploring the Mask in Paper

I have done this project before in two schools, with much success. It being my very first lesson with this particular class offered some unknowns, but I am quite pleased with the results – and I think they are, too! Kudos to their teacher who prepared them well in introducing the ideas of mask, and got them to do some visual research even before I got there. It made it easy for me to jump in and show them the mechanics of the project, and help them along in the making of. It’s a pretty good group of kids, and I look forward to more work with them this year – awesome!

Important themes I emphasized: symmetry, using cut paper only (no drawing details with markers or paint), repetition, and layering of different coloured paper in the features.

On the back of each mask we fastened a popsicle stick horizontally, and tied a string of monofilament for hanging. These masks were not meant to be worn. I expect they are hanging about the classroom now…