Next of Kin - A Compassionate, Interdisciplinary Science Curriculum
"Making Masks"

This sample lesson is also available as a printable PDF file.

Grade level: K-5

Subject Area: Art, Science, Reading

Time Needed: 45 minutes – 1 hour

Objectives: To help students identify characteristics of chimpanzees’ faces and apply this information to an art project.

Materials: Chimpanzee Mask Directions (Depending on the age of the student, these may either be handed out to each student or used as guides for teachers.)

Activity:

• Collect some books with pictures of chimpanzees (e.g., The Chimpanzee Family Book by Jane Goodall and Life Cycles the Chimpanzee).
• Show different pictures to the class and have them identify common features (eyes, ears, nose, etc.).
• Have them identify the similarities and differences between chimpanzee and human faces.
• Compare pictures of different chimpanzees and have them identify the similarities and differences of those as well.

"Just like humans, each chimpanzee has characteristics that makes them an individual. The more you get to know a chimpanzee, the more easily you can recognize them, just like a human friend."

Have students construct their own chimpanzee mask by following the directions from the handout or from the teacher. (Depending on the age of student, you may even have them try to draw a different facial expression by referring to the Chimpanzee Facial Expressions hand-out with pictures—See It’s Mime Time lesson.)

After the masks are completed, compare each mask with the others in the class. What makes them different from each other? What makes them similar to each other?

Extension: Have students keep the masks in the classroom. Design a bulletin board displaying the variety of chimpanzee faces made by the class.

(The masks can also be used when students act out the behaviors in the It’s Mime Time lesson.)

Chimpanzee Mask Directions

MATERIALS NEEDED:
• Paper plates
• Glue
• Pink construction paper
• Tape (clear and masking)
• Scissors
• Black crayons
• Hole punch
• String

STEP 1:
On the backside of a paper plate, color around the ridges of the edge of the plate, creating the chimpanzee’s hair. On the flat part of the plate (on the same side where hair was colored) draw the brow ridge at the top of the circle – see drawing above.

STEP 2:
Cut out the inside circle of two paper plates. Cut one of these circles in half, creating the ears. Leave the other circle full to be used as the mouth area of the chimpanzee.

STEP 3:
On pink construction paper, outline the outside of a roll of masking tape to create one circle, and use the inside of the tape roll to outline another circle. Cut both circles out. Cut the smaller circle in half.

STEP 4:
Glue the larger pink circle (that is not cut in half) in the center of the mouth. Glue the pink paper halves on each plate-half from STEP 2.

STEP 5:
Glue the mouth on the colored paper plate with approximately 2/3 of the plate showing.

STEP 6:
Tape or glue the ears to the right and left sides of the center paper plate.

STEP 7:
Draw:
• A thin line for your lips on the pink part of the mouth.
• Nostrils partly on the mouth and mostly on the upper part of the face.

STEP 8:
Cut out eyes below the brow ridge.
Hole punch the side of the mask to make holes for string to be threaded through.

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