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Lesson Plan
National Endowment for the Humanities

Neh: Edsit Ement: Storytelling:the Meaning Behind the Mask

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
In many cultures, masks are used in oral story telling. Many learning activities are described on this site that will help students learn aspects of story telling and the different ways various cultures used masks.
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Graphic
Other

Nigerian Art and Culture

For Students 9th - 10th
An excellent collection of photographs of masks, shrine objects, architecture, and cultural artifacts from Nigeria taken by an English officer, G. I. Jones, from 1926 to 1946.
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Unit Plan
Department of Defense

Do Dea: Art Appreciation: Unit 5: 3 D Art

For Students 9th - 10th
This fifth unit of a course on Art Appreciation looks at different forms of three-dimensional art. Students learn about sculpture and its history, government-funded art works, and controversy in art. They look at other types of 3-D...
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Website
Other

African Art Museum: On Line Reference to the Artistic Styles of Africa

For Students 9th - 10th
This online museum features images of over 1200 authentic African tribal masks, sculptures, statues, and bronzes from 100 ethnic groups.
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Website
Smithsonian Institution

National Museum of African Art: African Vision

For Students 9th - 10th
One of the largest collections of African art in the United States can be viewed at this online exhibition site. Organizes objects into three thematic group (masks, figurative arts, objects of power and prestige) and by time period,...
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Website
Smithsonian Institution

National Museum of African Art: A First Look at the Disney Tishman Collection

For Students 9th - 10th
A survey of traditional African art in a variety of media--wood, ivory, metal, and ceramics--from an impressive collection donated to the National Museum of African Art by Walt Disney in 2005. Includes examples of masks from the Yoruba...
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Unit Plan
Other

African Masks

For Students 9th - 10th
An interactive site that gives information on the history and design of African Masks. There is a quiz to test your knowledge and a sample page of masks.
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Website
Enchanted Learning

Enchanted Learning: Crafts for Kids

For Students 3rd - 5th
Choose from dozens of simple crafts including activities for the holidays, animal crafts and much more.
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Unit Plan
CommonLit

Common Lit: "Masks" by Shel Silverstein

For Students 4th - 6th
A learning module that begins with "Masks" by Shel Silverstein, accompanied by guided reading questions, assessment questions, and discussion questions. The text can be printed as a PDF or assigned online through free teacher and student...
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Unit Plan
CommonLit

Common Lit: Book Pairings: "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee

For Students 9th - 10th
Selected (12) reading passages (grades 7-11) to pair with "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee. A young Scout watches her father, prominent lawyer Atticus Finch, defend Tom Robinson, a black man accused of raping a white woman in the...
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Unit Plan
CommonLit

Common Lit: Book Pairings: "Sahara Special" by Esme Raji Codell

For Students 5th - 8th
Selected (8) reading passages (grades 5-8) to pair with "Sahara Special" by Esme Raji Codell. Sahara Special is the story of Sahara Jones's 5th grade school year and the struggles she overcomes to make friends and reach her potential as...
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Unit Plan
CommonLit

Common Lit: Book Pairings: "Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry" by Mildred D. Taylor

For Students 9th - 10th
Selected (8) reading passages (grades 6-10) to pair with "Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry" by Mildred D. Taylor. Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry tells the story of the Logan family combating racial tension and segregation in Mississippi during...
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Unit Plan
CommonLit

Common Lit: Book Pairings: "Autobiography of Malcolm X" by Malcolm X, Alex Haley

For Students 9th - 10th
The Autobiography of Malcolm X traces the life of one of the most influential, controversial, and thoughtful people of the 20th century. Selected (10) reading passages (grades 8-11) to pair with the "The Autobiography of Malcolm X" by...
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Unit Plan
CommonLit

Common Lit: Book Pairings: "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" by Maya Angelou

For Students 9th - 10th
Maya Angelou recounts her coming of age story as a mature but apprehensive girl in the American South and California during the Jim Crow era. Selected (8) reading passages (grades 7-10) to pair with "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" by...
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Unit Plan
CommonLit

Common Lit: Book Pairings: "Farewell to Manzanar" by Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston

For Students 9th - 10th
Selected (7) reading passages (grades 8-11) to pair with the memoir "Farewell to Manzanar" by Jeanne Wakatsuki. [Free account registration required for specific tools.]
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Unit Plan
CommonLit

Common Lit: Book Pairings: "Lord of the Flies" by William Golding

For Students 5th - 8th
In this novel, a group of boys are stranded on a deserted island and attempt to govern themselves. Selected (7) reading passages (grades 5-8) to pair with the novel "Lord of the Flies" by William Golding. [Free account registration...
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Article
Khan Academy

Khan Academy: Owie Kimou, Portrait Mask (Mblo) of Moya Yanso (Baule Peoples)

For Students 9th - 10th
This article discusses the importance of sculpted masks in West African culture. Learn about the two types of entertainment masks, Goli and Mblo, and their role in masquerades.
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Article
Khan Academy

Khan Academy: Sowei Mask, Sierra Leone

For Students 9th - 10th
Sowei masks -- unique to the region around Sierra Leone -- are worn by senior members of the all-female Sande Society during rite-of-passage ceremonies that signify a girl's transition to adulthood. They are carved expressions of local...
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Activity
British Library

British Library: Teaching Resources: Putting Much Ado About Nothing in Context: A Summary of Sources

For Students 9th - 10th
This summary of sources is a quick and easy way to explore the contexts for Much Ado about Nothing - from ideas on marriage to masked balls and disguises. Included are ideas for activities and a PDF with related information.
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Activity
Other

Dayton Art Institute: A Pre Columbian Mask

For Students Pre-K - 1st
The Chimu people of Peru created elaborate burial masks like the one on this website. Take a look at the image and then follow the steps below to create your own mask.
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Lesson Plan
Other

Childdrama.com: Paper Masks (Lesson Plan)

For Teachers 9th - 10th
This lesson plan on paper masks includes a list of needed materials, instructions on making the masks, and good ideas on how to use them.
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Article
wikiHow

Wiki How: How to Make a Mask Out of Tin Foil and Tape

For Students 3rd - 8th
An alternative 3D mask making idea to wet materials like paper-mache, plaster, or clay. Directions and materials are simple to use.
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Activity
Charlotte Mecklenburg Library

Story Place: Mascara De Raton

For Students Pre-K - 1st
Assist students in creating and designing their own mouse mask. Depending on how much Spanish students know, teachers can have students define just the vocabulary for the materials needed or create the mask by reading and defining all...
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Graphic
Curated OER

How to Make a Mask Out of Tin Foil and Tape

For Students 3rd - 8th
An alternative 3D mask making idea to wet materials like paper-mache, plaster, or clay. Directions and materials are simple to use.