Creative Explorations: The Artist\ · 3rd Class

Active learning ideas

Costume and Mask Design

Active learning works well here because costume and mask design demands hands-on problem solving. Students must test how their creations move, fit, and communicate as they build, which no worksheet or lecture could replicate.

• NCCA Curriculum Specifications
• NCCA: Primary - Fabric and Fibre
• NCCA: Primary - Construction

• 15–30 min
• Pairs → Whole Class
• 3 activities

Activity 01

• Role Play
• 25 min · Pairs

Role Play: Character Walk

Students put on their (unfinished) masks or costume pieces and move across the room as their character. Their partner observes and gives feedback on how the costume changes the way they move.

Analyze how a mask can transform a person's movement or vocal expression.

Facilitation Tip

During Role Play: Character Walk, position yourself to move among students so you can quietly prompt them to notice how their masks look from the side and back.

What to look for

Present students with two different masks, one simple and one elaborate. Ask: 'How does the design of each mask change how you might imagine the wearer moving or speaking? What specific elements make you think this?'

• Apply
• Analyze
• Evaluate
• Social Awareness
• Self-Awareness

Activity 02

• Inquiry Circle
• 30 min · Small Groups

Inquiry Circle: The Attachment Challenge

In small groups, students brainstorm the best way to attach a heavy 'horn' or 'ear' to a mask so it doesn't flop over. They test different methods (tabs, extra card, wire) and share the most stable solution.

Justify the selection of specific materials to represent a character from a myth or legend.

Facilitation Tip

Before Collaborative Investigation: The Attachment Challenge, remind students to bring at least three different materials to test for straps and fastenings.

What to look for

Have students sketch their mask or costume design. Ask them to label at least three materials they plan to use and write one sentence for each explaining why it is suitable for their character. Review sketches for thoughtful material choices.

• Analyze
• Evaluate
• Create
• Self-Management
• Self-Awareness

Activity 03

• Think-Pair-Share
• 15 min · Pairs

Think-Pair-Share: Color and Character

Students choose a character from an Irish legend (e.g., Cú Chulainn). They discuss in pairs which colors and textures (e.g., 'rough' for a warrior, 'shiny' for a magical being) would best represent them.

Explain the process of adapting a 2D fabric piece to fit a 3D human form for a costume.

Facilitation Tip

For Think-Pair-Share: Color and Character, give each pair a color wheel chart so students can justify their choices with visual evidence.

What to look for

Once masks or costume pieces are partially completed, have students present their work to a small group. Each presenter answers: 'What character am I trying to show?' Each peer offers one specific suggestion on how to improve the visual storytelling of the piece.

• Understand
• Apply
• Analyze
• Self-Awareness
• Relationship Skills

A few notes on teaching this unit

Start with a short demonstration of how simple materials like cardboard, fabric scraps, and elastic can transform instantly into character features. Avoid giving exact templates; instead, model how to sketch and cut shapes that follow the natural curves of the face or body. Research shows that when students troubleshoot their own structural problems, their designs become more creative and purposeful.

Students will show progress when they move from flat sketches to three-dimensional designs that fit real faces and bodies. Their work should reveal clear choices about materials, colors, and structure that represent a character’s traits.

---

Watch Out for These Misconceptions

• During Role Play: Character Walk, watch for students who hold their masks only at the front or who ignore how the piece sits on the face.

  Stop the walk and ask each student to turn slowly in a circle so peers can comment on how the mask looks from different angles. Ask, 'What detail could you add to the side to make the character clearer?'

• During Collaborative Investigation: The Attachment Challenge, watch for students who attach masks with a single string across the forehead.

  Hand out elastic strips and show how a ‘T-shape’ strap distributes weight evenly. Have students test both options by walking, nodding, and speaking, then choose the better fit.

---

Methods used in this brief

• Role Play
• Inquiry Circle
• Think-Pair-Share