Mask Making Imagination

Year Levels

Years 1–2

Duration

45 minutes

Class Size

26 students

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Unit Context

This is Lesson 2 of 5 in the unit "Theatrical Journey with Pigs". Students continue their exploration of character through mask and puppet making, focusing on the traits of the three pigs and the wolf, inspired by familiar stories like The Three Little Pigs.

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Victorian Curriculum Connections

Level 1-2 Drama Content Descriptions:

• AC9ADR2D01: Use the elements of drama and imagination in dramatic play and/or process drama.
• AC9ADR2P01: Share their drama in informal settings, retelling familiar stories through acting, frozen images, and transitions.

Achievement Standards (Level 1-2):
By the end of Level 2, students make and present drama using the elements of role, situation, and focus in dramatic play and improvisation. They describe what happens in drama they make, perform and view, identifying some elements and explaining drama's purposes.

Key Practices:

• Exploring character traits through physical representation (e.g., masks and puppets).
• Using imagination and improvisation to develop understanding of roles and story situations.
• Communicating ideas about characters through drama and visual arts (mask making).
• Collaborating and taking turns in drama activities.

These align with elaborations like brainstorming ideas from texts, taking on roles, using dramatic play with familiar props, and describing characters' traits.

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WALT (We Are Learning To)

• Develop character masks to represent the pigs and the wolf in the story.
• Explore and describe the unique traits of these characters.
• Use imagination to bring their masks and puppets to life in drama.

Success Criteria

• I can finish creating my character’s mask or puppet with help if needed.
• I can describe my character’s traits to others clearly.
• I can use my mask to show my character’s personality during drama activities.

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Differentiation

• Provide hand-over-hand or guided support for students with fine motor difficulties during mask and puppet construction.
• Offer pre-cut shapes or templates for mask parts.
• Allow verbal or visual prompts to help students identify character traits.
• Encourage peer support within small groups.
• Incorporate short, varied movement breaks for sustained attention.

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Lesson Outline

Time	Activity	Details
5 min	Warm-up game: Charades – Animal Voices	Children take turns silently acting (or using voice only) as either a pig or a wolf. Class guesses. Activates imagination and character voices. This brain break is energetic but controlled.
10 min	Story Recap and Character Discussion	Briefly read/re-tell The Three Little Pigs or show key pictures. Prompt students to identify character traits of each pig (e.g., clever, lazy, hardworking) and the wolf (e.g., sneaky, strong). Use simple drama terms: role, character, traits. Invite students to share how characters might move or sound.
20 min	Mask & Puppet Making Completion	Students finish making their pig or wolf masks and puppets using provided materials (paper plates, colouring supplies, craft sticks, etc.). Teacher and aides support students with fine motor tasks. Encourage children to think about character traits while working (e.g., "How does your pig’s face show that it is clever?").
5 min	Character Trait Sharing	In small groups, students describe their character and share their masks or puppets with peers, explaining a trait or voice they have chosen. Teacher facilitates and encourages use of drama vocabulary.
5 min	Dramatic Play: Bringing Masks to Life	Students take turns using their masks in quick improvisations showing their character doing something from the story (e.g., pig building a house, wolf sneaking). Keep this playful and short to maintain engagement.

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Materials Needed

• Paper plates, coloured paper, or lightweight mask bases.
• Crayons, markers, paint or coloured pencils.
• Scissors, glue sticks, sticky tape.
• Yarn, feathers, or other decorative items for masks.
• Puppet sticks or straws for puppets.
• Copies or images of The Three Little Pigs story for reference.

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Teacher Notes

• Reinforce simple drama vocabulary like role, character, and traits throughout.
• Scaffold the discussion by modelling describing a character trait and connecting it to a physical or vocal expression.
• Use positive reinforcement to encourage participation, especially from shy or hesitant students.
• Encourage students to watch their peers during sharing, helping develop listening and appreciation skills.
• The structured drama experience supports foundational skills for improvisation and character development in later lessons.

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Assessment Suggestions

• Observe student participation in sharing character traits and mask descriptions.
• Listen for correct and expressive use of drama vocabulary.
• Note students’ use of imagination and effort in their mask and puppet artworks.
• Informal assessment through teacher observations during drama play and group discussions.

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This lesson integrates drama and visual arts consistent with the Victorian Curriculum for Level 1-2 Drama content descriptors AC9ADR2D01 and AC9ADR2P01, focusing on imaginative play, character understanding, and sharing drama informally.

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If you want, I can also help generate teacher prompts, student worksheet templates, or a vocabulary list to accompany this lesson!