The Magic of Masks

Mask Making In The Classroom / Informative & Fun

Welcome to the world of Masks and the Award winning MAKE A MASK classroom activity, a tried and true program that thousands of students across the nation have experienced. The use of Masks span the globe and date back to pre-recorded history. Styles, meanings and approaches to ritual mask use interconnect the seemingly diverse ancient cultures of Africa, Asia, Europe, North and South America and of countless isolated islands. These workshops and materials have been designed to augment and enhance the program of the teacher who wishes to provide a multi-ethnic, interdisciplinary and/or Global approach to teaching. As technology shrinks our world, this event brings a renewed perspective. They are used in elementary grades to enhance and encourage reading skills development and cultural awareness...Social Studies, Geography, Storytelling and so much more...Essentially the program offers a boundless cross-cultural theme which becomes understood in an interdisciplinary way by involving the creative process of each child. Activities and goals can be adapted very simply to respond to your classrooms needs. Our team of classroom trainers are thoroughly versed in the MAM program and many of them are graduates students of Carnegie Mellon University. As Albert Einstein said: "My Dear Children.... Bear in mind that the wonderful things you learn in your schools are the work of many generations, produced by enthusiastic efforts and infinite labor in every country of the world. All of this is put into your hands as your inheritance in order that you may receive it, honor it, add to it, and one day faithfully hand it to your children. Thus do we mortals achieve immortality, in the permanent things which we create in common."    Click on the photos below to view video of classroom event, and slide show of mask making at The Special Arts Festival at the Los Angeles Music Center 2009

Mask Making In The Classroom / Informative & Fun In October 2009 another mask making workshop took place at The Tom Bradley Elementary Science Magnet School in Los Angeles CA. In this school-wide event; students learned the "Make-A-Mask" technique of mask making and teachers discovered a captivating and enjoyable supplement to a variety of classroom subjects, including social studies, Geography, History, Mythology, Research, Writing, the Arts, Cultural appreciation, Self Esteem, Language, and more. Now the teachers are integrating this creative process into the learning experience at every grade level. The students have been motivated and energized to involve themselves in this interdisciplinary event i.e. Intelligent Fun. At a recent PTA meeting, teachers showed their masks, and now the parents all want to make a mask as well. Just click on the link below to see it for yourself. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hznRIX36TTA And as John Kennedy said: "Art means more than the resuscitation of the past; it means the free and unconfined search for new ways of expressing the experience of the present and the vision of the future." To book a date & assure your school receives this special event call or e-mail your request to: RSallon@hotmail.com