Papermache Masks-- 3rd and 4th grade

This is an art project that I repeat every year, because it is such a great process for the kids... starting with an initial sketched idea, building an armature, applying paper mache, painting and adding embellishments.  I tie this lesson to the Pacific Northwest Coast masks.

You can see masks from previous years here and the process photos here.
 

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Mask Love!

I love these masks!

Paper mache Rattles- Kindergarten

The kindergartners made paper mache rattles after learning about Native American rattles.  We viewed a Powerpoint about the rattles used in Native American ceremonies.  The students made their own rattle which could be used for music and dancing.  We were not trying to copy the rattles, but use them for inspiration. 

Here are the steps:
1.  First, tape a paint stick to the inside of a paper plate.

2.  Put beans on the plate.

3.  Tape another plate on top.

 

4.  Use brown kraft paper to paper mache on top of the rattle.  Make sure everything is really secure and taped well, so no beans can escape.  (I wish I had taken more pictures of the progress of these.)

5.  Paint the wooden paint stick.

6.  Cut out a construction paper circle to fit on the top of the rattle.  Draw symbols (Native American or your own) on the paper using black marker and construction paper crayons).  Hot glue the paper to the rattle.

7.  Finally, tie on yarn, raffia, beads and feathers for added decoration.

Native American-- Kindergarten

We are starting to make rattles like the Native American rattles.  Here are the steps so far: 

Tape a wooden paint stirrer to a small paper plate.

Place beans, rice, dry noodles on the plate.

Put another paper plate on top and tape shut! 

 Our next step will be to add paper mache on top and paint symbols on the rattle.  We will also add feathers and yarn to the handle.


I divided the kindergartners in 2 groups so that they could receive extra help while they made their rattles.  The other group was using Native American symbol sheets to draw symbol stories.  Here are some of them:

Old School Throwback!-- with YOUR LINKS

Here is a an OLD lesson that I taught about 6 years ago at my previous school.   I think these turned out lovely.  These chalk drawings were inspired by the Pueblo dwellings of the Native Americans. We read about the lives and homes of these people and then drew a picture of some homes inspired by the style of their dwellings.  We used a chalk stencil method to make the background... similar to this technique, but we cut out the shape of the buildings.

And here was one that was more modernized!  very creative:

I encourage you to share YOUR LINKS to old lesson plans that you may have taught awhile back!

Pacific Northwest Coast Masks-- 3rd grade

The 3/4s viewed a video about Pacific Northwest Coast art.  They made a spirit animal mask using similar characteristics.  These are made out of paper mache and are painted with a limited color palette. 

 

Native American Pottery, 3rd/4th grade

Native American Potttery:The 3/4s are learning about Native American pottery, in particular the Mimbres bowls.  Check out the link for more information.  They made their own coil-built pot and used sgraffito techniques to design the inside of the bowl.

We used Mayco Stroke and Coat Underglaze and then painted Amaco clear glaze on top.  I love the brilliant colors.  I would never have tried this because it's more expensive than others, but my colleague WON a whole box of this glaze at an art conference, and we really like this glaze now.

Native American Shields

To complement their study of Native Americans, the kindergartners made symbolic shields.  The shields (by the Plains Indians) were used in battle and they believed the symbols on the shields had magical powers to protect them.  They were often adorned with symbolic items, such as bones, feathers and other natural objects.

Dreamcatcher ornament from the other class

This is a dreamcatcher ornament that will be sent to the Governor's Mansion in Madison, WI for the Christmas tree.  A group of kids in a 3rd/4th grade class made this.

Dreamcatcher Ornament

The Governor's Mansion in Madison sent us a call for ornaments made by 4th graders based on a book.  These ornaments will be hung on a large Christmas tree in the mansion.  Only one per classroom could be submitted.  As a group, several of the students made this dream catcher.  The 3/4s read the book Time of the Eagle, by Stephanie Golightly Lowden and made a creative dream catcher to represent the book.  It is a great tie-in to their language arts/social studies curriculum and also to our school, EAGLE School.  I think it turned out gorgeous!  Both of my classes are working on a dream catcher for this project, but the other class isn't finished yet.