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African Mask
Young scholars make masks. In this African art lesson plan, students review background information about African art and the use of masks. Young scholars use geometric shapes and other designs to create their masks.
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Social Studies: Adinkra Printing
First graders demonstrate a sense of artistic composition by creating shapes and symbols in the pattern of African Adinkra printing. They use glue to create a raised design and then print it on colored paper. Students use symbols from...
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Kuba African Cloth
Young scholars identify four different African cloth design styles and associate them with the cultures examined in this lesson plan. The lesson plan also includes a creative project where each student creates their own cloth design.
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African Ceremonial Masks
Fourth graders examine and discuss the purposes and traditions of African ceremonial masks. They design and create African ceremonial masks using various materials.
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The Art of the Quilt
Students examine why fabric was first sewn in layers and how it was used. They identify, compare and make 3 different fabric design types which will become a basis for looking at the quilts created by African Americans. They begin the...
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African Mask Design
High schoolers view examples of African mask designs from the past. Individually, they develop their own design based on basic geometric shapes. They use paper mache to make the masks and paint them to end the lesson and discuss what...
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Mathematics of Ornaments and Architecture
Students study African traditional architecture. They examine how African ornaments, wall painting and motifs use geometric shapes to express and explain the culture.
They discuss the ornaments and architectural designs in the setting...
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Cut Paper Masks
Learners examine different types of masks from various cultures. Using the masks, they identify the use of design elements in them. They create their own paper mask using the elements and share them with the class. After viewing a...
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Hard Edge Painting
Students study the history of hard edge painting and discover demonstration techniques using a variety of fonts and discuss lettering. They present a number of abstract works of art with hard edge technique and works of art with text.
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Granary Door Dogon, Mali
Students explore a creation myth. In this visual arts activity, students discuss the Dogon creation myth and the design and make refrigerator magnets in the style of Dogan granary doors. The design of the magnets should include linear...
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Celebrating Ancestors
Students participate in a "hands-on" activity, to explain that African masks were and are more than aesthetic artifacts, they are functional implements of the many cultures of the African continent.
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Creating Adinkra Symbols
Students discover examples of adinkra cloth. They explain the history of the symbols themselves. They create a larger pattern using geometric symbols. They discover how the symbols can be used to communicate with one another.
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Kente Cloths
Second graders create examples of Kente cloths using paper, markers, and paints in this multi-cultural Art lesson for the second grade. The two part lesson includes an introduction of Kente Cloth designs and can be accomplished in one day.
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Quilting: The Story of the Underground Railroad
Students explore quilting. They read and discuss the book, Sweet Clara and the Freedom Quilt. They research African American quilting traditions on the Internet and name three common qualities in quilts. They create a quilt block...
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Adire Eleko Cloth Glue Patterns
First graders are introduced to the art form of African Adire Eleko cloth - painted patterned textiles. They use paper, glue and paint to imitate the technique and create similar patterns on paper.
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Africa: Beauty is in the Eye of the Beholder
Students will create a poster showing how two different cultures strive for beauty. This lesson plan combines art and social studies in a meaningful way.
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Sew, You Want To Quilt?
Students become familiar with the achievements of the artist Faith Ringgold. They take notice of the patterns in their environment. They connect the mathematical concept of patterns to create a class quilt.