Tinga Tinga Masks

Fourth Grade Art Lesson
7 Class Periods

Ting Tinga Masks, Fourth Grade Art Lesson

History of Masks:
A mask is an object normally worn on the face for protection, disguise, performance and entertainment.  Masks have been around for a very long time, the oldest dates to 7000 BC. Masks have been created by many cultures (Egyptian, Greek, African, Native American, Asian, etc.) and have been used for many purposes.  Masks can be made from numerous materials such as wood, clay, metal, and paper.

Tinga Tinga Tales are African folk tales that discuss the origins of animals.

Day 1:

• Students viewed a short video on a Tinga Tinga Tale to help better explain the concept of creating a story that would go along with their mask creation.

• Students used the rest of the hour to brainstorm ideas for their masks. Students had to know by the end of the class period what kind of animal they were going to create and to think of a Tinga Tinga Tale that may relate to their animal.

Brainstorming worksheet.

Day 2:

• Students were given a demonstration on how to use rigid wrap and how to cover the plastic face molds depending on if they were doing a half or full masks.  (This project can actually be done on the face of the student by working with partners, but due to fact I only see students once a week, I found this to be a faster way that everyone can work at the same time.  Saves one whole day!)

Rigid wrapping the mask.

• Students needed to have three layers of rigid wrap placed on their plastic molds. Time management is important for this lesson. Ten minutes are needed for rigid wrap to harden so it can be removed from the mold.
• At the end of the hour students remove the mask from the mold and label the inside with their name using a pencil.

Day 3:

• Features are discussed on this day.  Are their pieces that pop off the mask?  Does it have ears or horns? 
• Students learn tricks on how to add features using cardboard and newspaper.
• Features were constructed and taped to masks.
• Students used extra class time to continue working on writing their Tinga Tinga Tale for their mask.

Day 4:

• Students place rigid wrap over all the features added the class period before. 
• It was stressed that no cardboard, newspaper or tape show on the finished mask.

Day 5:

• Students painted their mask a base color.  This color is the main color of the mask, it also tends to be the lightest color if having to choose between two or three colors that seemed to be used in the same amount.
• Masks were set aside to dry.

Day 6:

• Student used this class period to paint the details and additional colors needed for their mask.
• A class supply list was created to see what materials were needed for the last class period (glitter, feathers, beads, ribbons, etc.)

Day 7:

• Student used this class period to add the materials they requested for hot gluing (feathers, beads, etc.)

Hot gluing materials.

• Students also took the time to rewrite their stories on final composition paper.

Writing story on final paper.

Examples of student work:
(under some of the examples is the Tinga Tinga Tale the student wrote about their mask)

How the Horse Got a Muzzle by Sydney
Once upon a time there was a horse named Star.  She wondered what her friends in her new school would think of her.  So she went on a walk one day.  Star was running and running and suddenly ran into a tree.  From that point on every horse in the world had a muzzle or to star a bruise.

How the Zebra Got It's Stripes by Gretta
Once there was a zebra and she was the only zebra with no stripes.  Her skin was all black and she was sad.
One day on a hot summer day she went swimming for the very first time.  After swimming she had her stripes!  She was so happy.  Now everyone wanted to play with her.

Why Owl Has Big Eyes by Leah
One day owl was flying by the forest when she saw a worm in an old hollow tree.
It was night so owl didn't see the lion cub in the tree.  Not knowing the owl went into the tree to get the worm.  When she got there owl got stuck in the tree!  Lion cub scratched her eyes so much that they were huge!  When owl got out of the tree she could see everything!  That is why owl have big eyes.

How the Monkey Got His Dots by Maya
One day while the monkey was painting a picture, he heard a boom from outside.  It scared the monkey and the paint went all over the monkey.  He tried to wash it off and it didn't work.  He went over to his friend, the dog and he said "The paint will not get off."  The dog said, "Well I think it looks cool you should leave it on."  So that is how the monkey got his dots.

How Tiger Got His Stripes by Dillon
One day tiger was out for a walk.  A bird was flying over head.  The bird had a can of black paint and spilled it all over the tiger giving him stripes.