1 Introducing masks Discuss students' ideas about masks, encouraging a broad range of views. Invite students to participate in a resource hunt and contribute to establishing the learning centres. 2 Focus on painted faces Students examine examples of face decoration and are challenged to think about people who decorate their faces, how it is done and why. Ask students to draw a picture of their partner's face, design a pattern and draw it on the picture. Encourage them to think about patterns, lines and colours and then write about their design, explaining their choices of pattern and colours.
Students finish by decorating their partner's face.
Extra care needs to be taken when painting near the eyes. Students examine masks used for disguise or deception, and discuss why people wear these masks, and when. Have students design, make and appraise a party mask for themselves. It should keep their identity a secret but still allow them to speak clearly and eat easily. When the masks are completed use the following questions to help with appraisal.