Date: November 17, 2010; to be continued on November 23, 2010 for completion of masks

Classroom: N. Winkel and P. Lea – 6th grade social studies with writing; P. Mould - AIG
Enrichment for Aztec/Mayan studies: The making of a Character Trait Mosaic Mask

NRMS – AIG Program Standards – Goal 2

a) Adapts the NC Standard Course of Study (SCOS) according to identified abilities,

readiness, interests, and learning profiles, K-12.

b) Enriches, extends, and accelerates the curriculum to address a range of ability levels
in language arts, math, and other content areas as appropriate.

c) Employs diverse and effective instructional practices to address a range of learning

needs.

d) Selects and uses a variety of research-based supplemental resources that augment

curriculum and instruction.

e) Fosters the development of 21st century content and skills by infusing the following at an
advanced level:
• high-level content for global awareness, civic and economic literacies, and health
awareness,
• critical thinking and problem solving,
• high-level communication and collaboration,
• applied information and media literacy, including concepts, systems, and operations in
challenging research contexts,
• creativity and innovation,
• real-world learning in local, regional, and global contexts,
• applied life skills for leadership, ethics, accountability, adaptability, productivity,
responsibility, people skills, self-direction, and social responsibility.

f) Uses on-going assessment to differentiate classroom curriculum and instruction.

g) Creates affective curricular and instructional practices which support the social and
emotional needs of AIG students.
Color carries various messages and meanings to different people and cultures encompassing
our globe. In the Mayan and Aztec cultures, masks and colors were used to portray status,
values, beliefs, and roles. Oftentimes worn in celebratory events, Aztec and Mayans created
masks to wear and enrich the celebration with its tale. In the Aztec culture, mosaic masks were
made using tiny tiles oftentimes made out of gemstone or clay.

Students will create a mosaic mask using colored “tiles” (tissue paper squares) that will reflect
your valued traits that as well as tell a personal story of how you wish to portray yourself to the
world of onlookers that surround you.

10 minutes: Using the color chart provided and the tissue paper squares, design a mosaic mask
that portrays the traits you wish others to see in your face. Before starting, review the color
chart and pick at least 5 different colors that represent character traits you wish to share. Use
a bubble map to note the colors and what they will mean on your mask in each bubble. Your
next step in planning is to decide if you have a specific layout in mind. If so, using a piece of
blank paper provided, design your mask using a simple sketch. Think about the placement of
colors in relation to where you feel you demonstrate that trait.

Once you have chosen your colors and their meanings and designed your layout, collect two
paper plates. 1 is to be cut into a mask and the other will be used to hold your tissue squares.
You will need glue as well as a wipe to clean your fingers as you go. Choose your tissue
square colors, making sure not to wrinkle or tear them.

Please do not take more than you will need. You can always get more.

Teachers will be walking around and ready to answer any questions you may have.
As needed, use wipes to remove glue from your fingers.

How to make the mask: These are my recommendations.

1. Pick a plate (pre-cut to form a neck and jaw line.) We can cut the sides to be shorter
for boys.
2. With the second plate, select some tissue squares and use the plate to contain them.
3. Pairs will share glue. Choose a place on the mask to start and spread a thin layer of
glue covering that location. Place your “tiles” on top of the glued area in the pattern
of your creation. The glue is simply to hold the tile in place until you cover the
whole mask with glue upon completion.
4. Once your mask is covered in tiles and tells your story, ask a teacher to check your
product and assistance in spreading the final coat of glue to cover the entire surface.
5. Once you have finished your mask, wash the glue off of your hands. Using your
writing page, tell us the story your masks portrays about you. Answer the questions
on the writing page provided. Using those answers, write a paragraph with
complete, fluent sentences. The sentences should be arranged in your paragraph to
allow the reader to easily receive the message from your writing. Choppy sentences
and incomplete/incorrectly spelled words make reading difficult. Before you write a
final draft, please ask someone to edit your writing, after which you will revise and
finalize.

Formative Assessment: completion of mask and quality of writing exercise

Colors and their meanings: Aztec Masks

Red: fire, blood – associated with energy, war, danger, strength, power,
determination, passion, desire, love

Pink: romance, friendship, femininity

or
Light
Pink
Orange: energy of red + happiness of yellow = joy, sunshine, tropics,
enthusiasm, fascination, happiness, creativity, determination,
attraction, success, encouragement, stimulation

Yellow: sunshine, joy, happiness, intellect, energy

Light
Yellow: intellect, freshness, joy

Green: nature, growth, harmony, freshness, fertility, safety

Blue: sky, sea, depth, stability, trust, loyalty, wisdom, confidence,

intelligence, faith, truth, heaven

Light
Blue: health, healing, tranquility, understanding, softness

Purple: stability in blue + energy in red = royalty, wisdom, dignity,

independence, creativity, mystery, magic

White: light, goodness, innocence, purity, safety, cleanliness

On this journal page, answer the questions provided to plan how you will write the message
you are sending with your mask. Be sure to have your draft edited by another classmate or
teacher. Revise your draft. You can write or type your final.

Why did you place the colors where you did?

Which of your traits is represented by what color?

Why did you choose the colors you chose?

Draft of your paragraph:

Reflection: This morning with Mr. Winkel’s class went well but time ran short. The students

will complete the mask compilation and writing on Tuesday, November 23rd. Most of them are

off to a good start and gluing “tiles” onto their plates. Four hands passing out tiles is much

quicker than two. Co-teaching is key to the success of this lesson.

11/23/2010 – the students finished up their masks today as well as their paragraphs. Everything

turned out awesome. I made copies of their writings to keep as artifacts. The masks and their

writing will be displayed in the classroom and hallways.