Mask Making Crafts for Social Studies

Mask lore is fascinating and tribal masks are significant in many world cultural traditions, religious activities and ceremonial dances. Ceremonial tribal masks are important in Native North American, Central American, South American, Pacific Islander, Asian, African, Maori and other tribal groups. Here are several social studies activities on mask-making and recycled trash mask crafts to help students explore the tradition masks. 

Paper plate, paper bag or Styrofoam mask crafts are the easiest. Use mask-making lessons in preschool through high school social studies activities. Mask crafts incorporate green, recycled trash materials. It may seem odd that tribal masks of such significance could be made from recycled trash. But it's important to stress in social studies activities that most tribal masks are made from just that--"found" materials, scraps and natural elements. The gorgeous collection of African tribal masks at the Detroit Institute of Arts are made from leaves, grass, mud, clay, pebbles, shells, animal fur, skin and hair, human hair, seeds and nut hulls. It the artisan's ability to create beautiful mask crafts from found objects that makes mask-making so fascinating. 

The teacher's role in mask-making social studies activities is facilitator. She provides recycled trash, art supplies and found objects for mask crafts. Students bring the creativity. For preschool mask making, adults might draw eye and mouth holes on mask crafts for kids to cut. Older students should be left to explore different facial features, eye hole and mouth hole designs for their tribal masks. They might decide to shape mouths and eyes like stars, squares or diamonds. They might make animal head mask crafts (a common design in tribal masks). They create teeth, hair, skin, fur or scales. 

Here are art supplies and recycle trash needed for mask-making social studies activities. recycled paper or Styrofoam plates, large paper grocery bags, turned inside out to hide advertising print hot glue guns, school glue or Glue Dots. Glue dots are extra tacky, easy to work with and reduce mess by pricey. If glue dots are too expensive, school glue will work. Use up leftover school glue by melting in microwave to remove from bottles. recycled pot pie tins or egg cartons for glue and paint holders and mask-making details. You'll need Q-Tips cotton swabs, tape and staplers. 

Mask decorations from recycled trash or found objects include --old jewelry --craft feathers --beads, glitter --appliques --faux gems --animal feathers --pebbles --shells--assorted dried seeds, beans, popcorn and legumes (these make excellent teeth) --assorted scraps of yarn, twist paper, twine, raffia, straw, reed, strips of paper or plastic, string, scrap electrical cord, wire for hair (unravel recycled knitted garments for curly hair) --fabric scraps --tissue paper, wrapping paper, construction paper and magazine scraps --gift ribbons and bows --assorted recycled pom poms, tassels, buttons, ribbons, --paint or markers (don't allow students to simply draw a design; encourage them to create a 3-D mask with found objects) --plastic mesh from orange bags (excellent for decorating) --recycled trash container lids, milk rings, small lids, jar lids, cardboard scraps (nothing sharp and all thoroughly washed) --clay or play dough: mold into embellishments and decorations, allow to dry, glue in place, paint.

Provide pictures and examples of native tribal masks. Encourage students to choose a basic mask theme (animal, facial expression), sketch it out and create pattern using a collage of materials. 

Free Printable American History Lesson Plans:French and Indian War

French and Indian War History Lesson Plans with Internet Links When you hear the name French and Indian War, it sounds like a war between the French and the Indians. It was really a war fought between the British and the French over land in North America. The French fought with the Indians against the British. 

August 15 is National Acadian Day, when French Canadians celebrate their heritage. A big part of French Canadian and American history, in fact all history is shaped by war. The French and Indian Wars were the first fought on North American soil. When you hear the term French and Indian War do you think of a war between French and Indians? The French and Indian War was really a war fought between the British and the French over land in North America. The French fought with the Indians against the British. The French and Indian War lasted from 1756 to 1763. It was also called the Seven Years War. Here are free printable American history lessons on the French and Indian War as well as French Canadian(called Acadian or Cajun) history lessons.

There were actually several battles fought between 1689 and 1763 that were called the French and Indian Wars. King William's War, Queen Anne's War and King George's War, or the inter-colonial wars were fought mostly in Canada (called Acadia in French). The French and Indian War  was the engagement of 1756-1763 which was fought in what was called America. What caused the French and Indian War? The New World, as North America was called, was a big area. Many countries like Spain, France, Holland and England controlled different parts of the land.

The English and Dutch had set up 13 colonies along the eastern seaboard (Atlantic sea coast). Here are free printable American history lessons on those 13 colonies. The original 13 colonies included Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia. Spain controlled areas in the southern parts of North America and France controlled northern areas, including parts of Canada.

Each nation wanted to expand its empire (land it controlled). There are four ways to add more land to your empire--settle it, take it away from someone, buy it or go to war over it. The French and Indian War was fought along the British colonial frontiers (boundaries) from Virginia to Nova Scotia. The British and French Canadian fought over the "confluence" (coming together) of two important rivers, the Monongahela and Allegheny Rivers. This area is present day Pittsburg, Pennsylvania (click that link for free printable American history lessons on that region). A confluence where two bodies of water meet is a strategic area for trade. Rivers are important natural resources. Rivers are natural travel and trade routes. The country who controls the rivers controls the land.

In 1755, British troops led by General Braddock attacked Fort Duquesne (du-cane) in what would be called the Battle of the Monongahela in Acadia (Canada or New France). Braddock was killed. The British tried to invade Acadia and take over French territories in in 1755, 1756, and 1757. These attempts didn't succeed, mainly because British troops lacked proper organization and argued among themselves. The French Canadian also got along very well with the Native Canadian and American Indians and had their support. Instead of fighting, taking from and trying to control the Native American Indians, as the British did, the French befriended and cooperated with the Indians.

In 1755, the British took the French Canadian Fort Beausejour (click here for free printable French Canadian and American history lessons on Acadia or Cajun culture. This fort was in Acadia where the British had several major setbacks. Campaigns failed both at Louisbourg and the Siege of Fort William Henry. When William Pitt took control things turned around for the British. Between 1758 and 1760 British troops were able to gain ground in Acadia New France. The British took control of the French capital at Montreal in September, 1760.The French ceded control of Louisiana (New Acadia) to Spain, because Spain had lost Florida to the British. The French and Indian War ended France's control in North America and England was now the super power. William Pitt was granted the area which is now Pittsburg.