2nd Grade Masks inspired by Alaska

I think Alaskan native masks are so beautiful.

Our 2nd graders learn about Alaska in their social studies class and to connect with this unit, they explore the meanings and characteristics of Alaskan native art.

This colorful craft project features a circle with an abstract design, two feathers, and a handprint with a heart in the center.

Here is an example of a mask from Alaska:

Yupik Mask

Our masks are colorful and each child felt free to express their own ideas and to create their own meanings for their mask.

We watched an excellent Alaskan art video.

Unfortunately I cannot find the video for sale anymore.

Drawing the face

Hands painting a black circle on a white circular cardboard surface.
Start by drawing the face (human or animal features) on to a round piece of cardboard. I purchased ours at restaurant supply store. Paint the features with black paint.

 Coloring the mask

A person colors a circular drawing with rainbow hues and a black abstract design using crayons.
Color in the sections using construction paper crayons.

Adding embellishments to the mask

A colorful handmade craft with feathers, paper hands, fish cutouts, and a central rainbow circle with black patterns.
Inspired drawing on a circular paper, featuring bold shapes and vibrant colors with feathers around the edges.
Inspired by Alaska, this colorful craft features abstract shapes on a circular base with blue and yellow feathers attached.
A colorful paper plate mask with a face, decorated with blue feathers at the bottom, inspired by Alaska masks.
A colorful, abstract paper plate face with stick arms and legs on a white background.

Use hot glue (low temperature!  Don’t end up with 2nd degree burns like I did.) and masking tape to adhere sticks to the back of the mask to make appendages.  Trace your hand or draw other objects to attach to the appendages.  Glue on fur, feathers, fabric and other embellishments to the mask.

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