African Mask Homework

So far in this school year the boys have not been receiving the usual weekly homework assignments. They still have daily reading books to complete but there has been no maths, phonics or English homework. Instead the school have been sending home a list of 10 or so projects related to the subject that they are learning about during that term, then during the term the kids have to do 5 of these projects as homework. Last term they were learning all about London, this term they are learning all about Africa.

Anyway the list of projects contains lots of variety with recipes, poems, famous people and so on, but the one that caught my eye was to make an African mask. It has been about 35 years or so since I last did any paper mache, so I jumped at the chance to brush off some old skills and teach the boys how to make a paper mache mask. So armed with some balloons, a packet of wall paper paste and and stack of news papers we set about our work.

Brandon didn't really enjoy the paper mache but thoroughly enjoyed the painting of the mask. Joshua seemed to thoroughly enjoy the whole project and really got stuck in to the paper mache. I think we did a great job and hopefully the boys teachers will be proud of their efforts on this project.

It may have been some 35 years since my last attempt at paper mache, but me and Josh soon get stuck in.

Any messy craft work is right up Joshua's alley.

Layer after layer he slowly covers the balloon.

After a day drying in the airing cupboard, Joshua begins painting his mask using his new acrylic paints that Auntie Lisa and Uncle David got him for his 7th birthday.

Looking good, great star detail painted above the nose.

Joshua's finished mask, looks almost identical to the plan he drew out on paper first.

Brandon starts painting his mask and uses a very African, Morroccan red as a base colour.

Adding some ccolour to his mask.

Brandon we his finished mask. Not quite as per his plan and probably looking a bit more Halloween than African, but still a good effort.

So one project down and four to go!!!!!