RVMS history students created African masks as part of a cultural art project when they learned about African ceremonies, rituals, community life, and storytelling.
Students created an artist statement explaining their understanding of various African cultures and constructing their own 3D African mask that told a story of a specific group in Africa. The mask included symbols and colors for the group the students studied.
AMrs. DelToro, 7th and 8th grade history teacher says, "Mr. Triplet had made some really cool African masks. He came to our class last year and shared his art with my Hands-On Geography students.”
After making the masks, students completed a gallery walk of their projects in which they answered a two question survey of five masks that were on display. Students collected, analyzed, and evaluated evidence across multiple formats to compare different cultures.
“With this unit the students also had a chance to watch “The Boy That Harnessed The Wind.” This is about a true life 14 year old that helped his village from literally dying to thriving, and is still helping his home village of Wimbe and beyond today as he is 39 years old! The movie also incorporated traditional culture with the more historical culture and the African masks from this village were depicted in the movie, to make the connection with our hands-on project,” Mrs DelToro said.
