African Mask-Complementary colors

Teacher: Mrs. Hall

Grade: 5 (50 Minutes)
Subject area: Art
Theme: African mask
Lesson topic: Complementary colors

Materials:
Pencil and erasers
Watercolor paper
Crayons (orange, purple, green)
Brushes, water bowl, paper towels
Watercolor paint (blue, yellow, red)
Dry erase markers (orange, purple, green)
Examples of color wheel and African masks


Learner Characteristics: Class is high spirited and creative. Class will need instructions clearly written
on board for reference. Cody (vision impaired) will need color wheel and mask examples printed for
his table.

Lesson Rational: Teaching this lesson is a collaborated effort between the social studies unit on Africa
and African mask art. Students have previously studied the color wheel and watercolor. Students will
expand and connect this activity with African art and complementary colors. Students will visually see
that complementary colors are across the color wheel. Complementary colors are prerequisite of
impressionist painting. Students will have exposure to the wax resist method between watercolor and
crayon media.

Learner objectives:
1.Students will produce a work of art that represents originality, personal expression and craftsmanship.
( 1.a)
2.Students will create a wax resist painting using complementary colors. (1.a)
3.Students will use what the complementary colors are. (1.a)
4.Students will demonstrate color intensity by using complementary colors in watercolor. (1.a, 1.b)
5.Students will compare and contrast African art to their social studies unit. (4.a, 4.b, 4.c)
6.Students will design patterns to decorate their mask. (1.a)
7.Students will discuss what complementary colors are. (3.a)
8. Students will critique and discuss their work. (3.a, 3.b)


Anticipation of Problems and solutions: Students may try to work ahead, forgetting about using the
complements of color. Students may use too much water so the color wont be as intense. Students
may not push hard enough on the crayon and the watercolor may not resist it.

Lesson Body:
Anticipatory Set: Have African music playing, color wheels passed out to each table, examples
of African masks hung on the board. Have three students ask questions and discuss the masks on the
board (what have they learned in social studies)
Ask if the students can name the primary colors on the color wheel.
Explain what complementary colors are.
Colors that contrast strongly with each other look brighter together than on their own.
There are three pairs of complementary colors: red and green, orange and blue, and yellow and
purple. These colors are across each other on the color wheel. Can you show me what the
complimentary color of red is? etc.

Procedures:
Pass out watercolor paper (name on the back) and crayons in orange, purple, and green.
Show example of finished mask.
You will create your very own African mask today using complimentary colors.
Students should be told NOT to work ahead until all of the directions have been given.
On the board you will see an example of a mask and on your table you will see three
crayons. Orange, purple, and green.
Draw a simple mask using a faint pencil line. Use curved lines to divide the face into
separate areas.
I will draw a simple example on the white board using colored dry erase markers in the
crayon colors.
Go over the pencil drawing with orange, purple and green crayons. Use a different color to
outline each area. Using the same colors, add patterns of circles and lines to decorate each
area of the face. Students should press hard on the crayon so a lot of wax will be on the
paper.

At this time I would read about African masks, what they were used for, how each mask was unique to
the person wearing it etc. This will be from their social studies books and other resources from the
library or internet.


When students start to finish, explain that they will now paint the complementary color
in watercolor over their crayon. So if they used Orange crayon, then the watercolor for
that section will be blue. Purple crayon- yellow watercolor. Green crayon-red
watercolor. (refer to color wheel again)
Pass out water containers, brushes, and watercolors in blue, yellow, and red.
Dont use too much water, you will want to keep the colors bright.
Be careful not to brush over and over or the crayon will rub off.
What happens when you paint over the crayon? Does the crayon resist the water?
briefly explain how wax and water do not mix, therefore the crayon shows through and
the watercolor beads and runs off the crayon.
Remind students to not only paint the face, but to paint the background as well.
Students will have free choice on the background.
Place on drying rack when finished. Clean brushes put away, watercolors on back table
to dry. (8 minutes)
Closure:
I want to complement you on these amazing masks, they are so beautiful and bright. I am
excited to hang them in the hallway so the school can see your Complementary works!
When classroom teacher shows up This has been the most Complementary class of the day.
Ha ha ha

Evaluation of student learning:
1. Project will be evaluated on the criteria in the enclosed rubric. (originality, personal expression,
craftsmanship)
2. Teacher observation (wax resist)
3. Teacher observation (correct complements)
4. Teacher observation (intensity)
5. Student-teacher discussion (connection to social studies)
6. Teacher observation (patterns)
7. Student-teacher discussion (correct complements)
8. Teacher observation (critique)



Reflection on Lesson Effectiveness: Students were pleased with the end result. Students were amazed
when the water repelled off the crayon. Next week, ask what complementary colors are to refresh
students memory.