Lesson 1: The Inuits
At this point the class is ready to create the first project, an Inuit mask.
Pass out Handout 2, called The Inuits Go over some of the information about the Inuits and have the students write in the tribe’s name in the appropriate place on their map handout. After some discussion about the purposes masks had for the Inuits, the class is ready to create their own version.
MASK MAKING
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- a gallon size plastic milk jug per student
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- newspapers
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- paper-mache mix (there are many forms with various properties, the best is Artpaste available at art stores)
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- one paper plate per student
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- acrylic paints
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- feathers
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- elastic string
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- one razor knife
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- mixing bucket
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- magic marker
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- gallon size cans of water for painting
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- various size stiff bristle brushes
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- plenty of paper towels
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- egg cartons
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- hot glue gun and glue
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- paper punch
Step 1 Time: 20 minutes
The teacher needs to spend a little time preparing for the class by cutting the plastic milk jugs with the razor knife. If cut properly and with a little practice, the jugs create the correct size and shape to fit on a child’s head. (See illustration A.) Start by holding the handle of the jug and cut the entire handle side of the jug off, including the spout or opening of the jug. Leave half of the bottom of the jug intact. Cut a wide circumference around the spout. When held up-side down, the reconfigured jug will shape the basis for a mask, with the bottom of the jug forming the forehead region. All that is necessary is cutting the eye holes. Cut these in a wide variety of shapes, for the Inuits used all kinds of outlines with some eyes not even being symmetrical. After this, prepare the paper-mache mix according to the package directions in the bucket.
Step 2 Time: 20 minutes
The students are ready to dip the newspaper strips into the paper-mache mix and place them over the plastic masks. First cover the entire work area with newspaper for easier clean up. The paper-mache procedure is rather elementary with just a few guidelines required to make a suitable mask. It helps if the students can work with partners. The strips should not be dripping with the mix, but moist or damp. Place the strips over the entire mask with some overlap to the inside. There should be three layers that can be completed in one session. Emphasize that the paper-mache soaked strips need to be flat to the mask with no wrinkles. When completed, the masks need to dry thoroughly before painting, at least overnight. Place the masks to dry on the paper plate with each student’s name written with the magic marker. After the masks are dry, the students can write their names on the inside.
Step 3 Time: 30 minutes
Review with the class some Inuit mask references. Describe the broad areas of color and lack of minute details and patterns. There is a minimum of stripes and very many with fingertip size dots. There are very few geometric shapes. White, red, blue and brown were the dominant colors.
The students can try their own hand at painting the masks. Prepare the work area with a cover of newspaper, cans of water and paper towels. After passing out the brushes, inform the students to clean their brush with the paper towels between color changes. Pour the paint into the egg cartons and encourage a minimum of colors, much like the Inuit masks.
Step 4 Time: 20 minutes
The students can place their feathers for the teacher to attach using the hot glue gun. The last step is punching two holes with the paper punch on each side and tying on the elastic string.
Lesson 2: The Sioux
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The students are ready to learn about another Native American group of Indians, the Sioux. They are a Great Plains tribe. Handout 3, which gives some basic history, can be copied for the class and then they can write the Sioux name on their map of North America. The following is a lesson plan to create a Winter Count with the students. If it is possible, try to arrange to have an actual deer hide or other animal skin available for display before creating this next lesson. It will add to the interest of what a Winter Count is.
WINTER COUNTS
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- a 36’ x 30’ sheet of dark brown paper for each student
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(cut from a roll of craft paper)
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- pencils
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- lined paper
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- oil pastels or dry chalk
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Step 1 Time: 5 Minutes
Explain to the class that they are going to try creating their own Winter Count. Start by passing out a sheet of brown paper to each student and have them fold it lengthwise in half. Illustration B explains the rough shape the students need to resemble a buffalo hide. This is more authentic looking if it is done by ripping with their hands instead of cutting with scissors.
Step 2 Time: 45 Minutes
Pass out Handout 4 that displays various symbols important to a Sioux Indian. On lined paper, the students can come up with a short narrative, using the handout as a guide. Afterwards they are to draw what they wrote in sequential order on the brown paper in pencil. When they are pleased with their drawing, have the class use the colored media to trace over their pencil lines. The pastels or chalk look very bright on dark brown paper. When they are completed, display them for all to see.
Lesson 3: The Iroquois
The Iroquois were a band of five tribes legendary throughout the Northeast. Handout 5 gives a short history for the students to have along with some information about wampum Wampum beads were used in a wide variety of ways. In early colonial days, before there was a standard and acceptable currency, the colonists would use wampum as money to be traded. The following lesson details how students can make their own wampum.
WAMPUM BEADS
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- old magazines
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- pencils
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- white glue
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- string
Tools
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- rulers
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- scissors
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- thin painting brushes (thinner than a pencil)
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Step 1 Time: 60 Minutes
Pass out a sheet of magazine paper, a ruler and a pencil to each student. They are to draw then cut long, thin equilateral triangles that measure approximately 10’ x 11’. Encourage the students to make accurate and straight cuts. Have the class cut at least 8 triangles. They may cut as many as they like. Afterwards they are to roll the triangle up onto the handle of the brush, starting with the wide end of the triangle. (see illustration C). Encourage the students to wrap the triangles as tightly as possible around the handle. They can dab ever so lightly a spot of glue onto the apex of the triangle and then finish rolling the triangle. Once the triangle is a solid cylinder, pull or twist the roll off the handle. This is their first bead. Repeat the process for the other triangles of magazine paper. When the class is finished, they can string up the beads and tie the ends together. It is not neccessary to paint the beads.
Lesson 4: The Hopi
The Hopi still practice some of the oldest customs and lifestyles of any Native American tribe. The are considered a Pueblo group of Indians, descended from the Anasazi people, the original inhabitants of this part of the country going back 2,000 years ago. Pass out the Handout 6 and discuss the reading with the class. Ask guided questions about some of the similarities and differences of the various tribes of Indians learned about so far. Have the class write the Hopi name in the southwestern part of the United States. The following is a lesson on how students can create their own version of a Hopi doll.
Kachina Dolls
Each student should have the following;
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- toilet paper tube
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- 2 clothespins
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- 6’ x 9’ brown felt
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- sheet of newspaper
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- 6’ x 6’ piece of burlap
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- 6’ x 6’ piece of oaktag (stiff paper)
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- small feathers
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- a pair of google eyes
Tools
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- white glue
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- pencils
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- scissors
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- thin markers
Step 1 Time: 15 minutes
Cut two ½’ x 3’ strips of oaktag and tie their ends together so that you have 2 circles. Then glue each circle perpendicular to the handle end of each clothespin to create the legs and feet of our Kachina. (see illustration D). Two ½’ x 2’ pieces of oaktag glued to the top of the circles finishes the moccasins. Then cut two 1’ x 2’ strips of felt as wrap-arounds for the leggings.
Step 2 Time: 15 minutes
Fit the rest of the felt around the toilet paper tube as the main torso of the Kachina. Wrap the rest of the oaktag around the felt as a kind of cape, the students may cut the oaktag into any kind of interesting shape they would like. They may also draw and color designs over the oaktag before they glue it around the felt tube. After this they are to clip the clothespin legs up under the tube felt. With a little adjustment, they should be able to make the tube stand over the clothespin legs.
Step 3 Time: 15 Minutes
On to the head. This is done by balling up the sheet of newspaper and wrapping it with the burlap. Twist the burlap in such a way so that it resembles a lollipop wrapper. This makes it easier to jam into the toilet paper tube to get a head-like look. Glue on the google eyes and attach feathers in any kind of interesting combination and design. Illustration E gives an idea of what a finished Kachina could look like.
