3D Chinese New Year Dragon Masks

*Students will identify some characteristics of both Asian and western dragons*Students will look at a Chinese Zodiac calendar and find the animal associated with their year of birth *Students will share and apply insights about how color and shapes affect the expressive character of their

dragons*Students will learn a variety of paper folding and building techniques and use these skills to create their

own unique Chinese Dragon masks

Materials: 18 x 24 construction paper----1 sheet @12x 18 construction paper-------3 sheets @9 x 12 construction paper--------2 sheets @various smaller pieces of white & other colors paperpencils, scissors, glue, pipe cleaners, hot glue gun, crimpers, craft punches, glitter

Concepts & Backgound: *Dragons are mythological creatures and are perceived very differently in different cultures. In China and most Asian cultures, dragons are beneficent---they bring blessings and rain and good luck. They have no wings and fly by magic. The year of the Dragon was in 2000 and will occur again in 2012. People born in the year of the Dragon are supposed to be creative, energetic, bold, and make good artists. Western dragons are seen as evil, have bat-like wings, hoard gold and jewels, live in caves, breathe fire, burn villages, and eat princesses!*Flat, two dimensional papers can be folded, curled, crimped, hinged, layered and manipulated to create three dimensional forms.*Shape & color choices will determine the expressive qualities of your dragon.

Vocabulary: mythological, beneficent, zodiac, lunar New Year, 2D & 3D, fold, hinge, crimp, score, symmetrical, expressive, mood

Methods: (discussion and demonstration & student independent work at tables)* I do this in February, close to Chinese New Year---so we look at a Chinese zodiac to see what year we are in currently and what year is coming up. Children quickly find their birth years and identify themselves, brothers, sisters, etc. by their animals. I show some pictures from the internet of Chinese New Year’s celebrations with parades and dragon dances. I give them some background on the difference between Chinese and western dragons. We discuss color choices and how these will express the character of their dragons.* Students choose their first three layers: one of 18 x 24 and two of 12 x 18 papers. We fold these, pencil a cutting plan, cut symmetrical shapes and glue these layers together.*next session: Students create the jaws by folding 12 x 18 and one 9 x 12 paper and attach them with glue after folding hinges to keep the jaws attached at an angle. I model two styles: the “horse face” and the “alligator jaw”. Students also add teeth, nostrils, and other decorations*next session: Students cut & glue dragon eyes with five layers: Eye shadow, eyeball, iris, pupil and shine. Students may use pipe cleaners and a glue gun to make “pop out” eyes. I show them how to score paper to make interesting dragon horns. Students also use long strips of paper to attach “whiskers” to their dragons.*next session: Students finish any last details, share their dragons and fill out a self evaluation.