The below lesson is intended to take multiple class periods. This will be a project that students will always have in the back room and will continue to work on whenever I am absent. Do not worry about having them finish this in one class period.

You should walk them through this website. You can gather them around a computer, laptop, or iPad in order to show them this. Read through everything with them and show them all of the examples. 
Project Description:
Students will work independently for this project. Students will create a layered, symmetrical mask out of paper. They should research ideas and sketch out their plans prior to beginning the project. They can use construction paper, "big white paper," newspaper, magazine paper, etc. for this project. They can use sharpies to decorate and add detail to their masks. 

Requirements:
  1. Size: Be big enough to cover your face.
  2. Symmetry: Be symmetrical. 
  3. Colorful: Have more than 4 different colors.
  4. Sharpie: Have some additional sharpie (or marker) added decoration. 
  5. Craftsmanship: Be carefully crafted. (Not messy.)
  6. 3-D Elements: Have at least two 3-D elements (paper that "comes up" off the flat surface of the mask. 
  7. Creativity: Be original and creative. This is a weird project! Don't be afraid to make something weird!

Materials Required:
  1. Pencils (in shelving unit)
  2. Erasers (in shelving unit)
  3. Paper ("Big white paper" and construction paper are in the shelving unit, newspaper is on the bottom shelf of the black bookshelf, magazine paper is the big blue Rubbermaid boxes below the table by my desk). 
  4. Glue (in shelving unit)
  5. ​Scissors (in shelving unit)
  6. They may also want compasses and rulers, which are also in the shelving unit. 
  7. Access to this website (on their phones, computers or iPads) or access to printed out examples (in "Class Resources Folder" -- they know where this is). 

Vocabulary:
  1. Symmetry: Each side is the mirror image of the other. 
  2. Craftsmanship: Neatness. Encourage them to be neat and clean with their artwork. 
  3. Patience: Students should take their time. Encourage them to slow down and not to rush. 

Prep Steps:
  1. Research: Students should perform some research on their phones, iPads, or on the classroom computers to find paper mask designs they like. They can search terms like: "paper mask," "paper mask design," "construction paper masks," "how to make a paper mask," etc. They should also review all of the visual examples below.
  2. Sketch: Students should do a sketch of their intentions. This sketch should map out what their mask will look like, how big it will be, etc. Remember that the mask must be completely symmetrical.

Next Steps:
  1. Begin: Students should begin their project. 

Tips:
  1. How to Make Your Cut-Outs Super Symmetrical: To cut things symmetrically, fold the paper in half and cut out half of the shape you want. Open up your paper and the whole shape should be there. Kind of like cutting out "heart" shapes in elementary school. 
  2. Use Your Phone: Take pictures with your phone of your progress -- use these photos as references when you start to deconstruct the mask in order to glue it together -- this can get very confusing without a photo reference to help you. 
  3. Use a Ziploc or Cardboard: If you have a lot of small pieces, use a Ziploc bag (in small, blue right-hand cabinet above the left-hand white sink) to keep your small cut outs in one place. Conversely, you could use a piece of cardboard as a "tray" upon which to keep all your pieces in order. Just store this "tray" in the back on your name. 
  4. Back Away: Encourage students to "back away" from their art to look at it from a distance. 
  5. Help Each Other: Have the students help each other. They are great students and are very capable of helping each other.
ARTIST EXAMPLES: