Lesson Plan Title : Leprechaun Mask

Age Range: Grade 6 through grade 8 (Middle School)

Overview and Purpose: Students use paper mache and paint to create their own Leprechaun masks in this art activity. They can use pictures of Leprechauns as inspiration for their own masks.

Objective: The student will be able to use paper mache to create a Leprechaun mask.

Resources:

Paper mache

Newspaper

Balloons

Paint

Paint brushes

Pieces of Styrofoam or cardboard

Tape

Pictures of Leprechauns

Activities:

Pass the pictures of Leprechauns out to your students and talk about the facial features that they see. Explain that they're going to incorporate some of these similar features into a paper mache Leprechaun mask. Have them make the base of the Leprechaun mask by covering half of a balloon with paper mache paste and strips of newspaper. After they have a base, have them add Styrofoam or cardboard to make the cheeks, nose, ears, and lips. They can then cover this with more paper mache. After the masks have dried, have the students add the Leprechaun features with paint and other materials.

Wrap Up:

Challenge students to be creative with their masks. Explain that they should incorporate some of the standard features of a Leprechaun, but there are many ways that they can add their own touches the to the mask.