Ashley Ault ARU 301: Early Field

Egyptian Death Masks:

Embellishment

Enduring Idea (Big Idea):

Embellishment is an artistic process utilized in many cultures around the world.
Embellishment can be used by individuals or communities to make something unique.
Lesson Title: Egyptian Death Mask: Embellishment
Grade/Class: Sixth Grade
Time Allotment: 40 minute class

OVERVIEW
1) Lesson Rationale: Throughout various cultures around the world embellishment
is used to express uniqueness and create a more beautiful place in which to live.
Through the use of examples, to be provided primarily by the students, and
through learning about embellishment, various cultures in which it is seen, and the
specific uses for it in Egyptian Death Masks, students will learn and understand
the importance of individuality and expression in other cultures.
2) Lesson Summary: Students explore the idea that embellishment is an artistic
process that serves an important role in our culture as, well as in many others.
Through further study of the history of Ancient Egyptian Death Masks and the
significance of embellishment in creating such masks as that of King Tut, students
will learn the cultural significance of embellishment throughout the world. Teacher will
prompt students with questions and examples of the term embellishment. After
displaying some understanding, the students will practice a form of embellishment on
a large drawing of a figure on the board. This will help students to further understand
how embellishment can be used to make something look unique. After watching a
demonstration given by the teacher on different ways of embellishing the Egyptian
Death Masks, students will have opportunity to begin embellishment of their own
masks. Further embellishment can be continued for another class period. Students
will end with a short verbal review to display to the teacher whether or not the
material was understood.
3) Artworks, artists and/or artifacts: Visual of King Tut’s Death Mask, reference
images to embellishment in other cultures

4) Key Concept(s):
Cultures throughout the world use embellishment in many different ways.
Embellishment can be used to make something more unique to the individual.
Although it started long ago embellishment is still used in the world today.
Embellishment gives people the chance to represent themselves.

5) Essential Questions:
What does the word embellishment mean?
Why was it important for Ancient Egyptian Death Masks to have embellishment?
Where do you see embellishment in the world today?
What are ways embellishment might be used in cultures other than our own?
How can we use forms of embellishment to express ourselves?

6) Standards:
9.1.8.D Demonstrate knowledge of at least two styles within each art form
through performance or exhibition of unique works.
9.2.8.A. Explain the historical, cultural and social context of an individual work in
the arts.
9.3.8.B. Analyze and interpret specific characteristics of works in the arts within
each art form.
9.4.8.A. Compare and contrast examples of group and individual philosophical
meanings of works in the arts and humanities.

7) Interdisciplinary Strands: History/Social Studies, Visual Culture, Vocabulary

OBJECTIVES:
Students will…

1) Knowledge
• Students will explain the meaning of embellishment through class discussion
and teacher prompted questioning.
• Students will construct a list of examples of the various ways that embellishment
is used in society or other cultures on a provided worksheet.
• Students will transform a basic figure drawing through a participatory class activity
that will convey student understanding of the meaning and unique qualities of
embellishment.

2) Skills
• Students will apply understanding of the uses of embellishment to continuation of
Egyptian Death Masks.
• Students will create unique details of embellishment on their death masks.
 3) Dispositions
• Students will recognize the various ways that embellishment has been used by
cultures in the past, as well, as the present.
• Students will understand that art can be used to create something unique and
true to one’s self.
ASSESSMENT:
• Students will display knowledge of the meaning of embellishment through verbal
discussions at beginning of class.
• Students will complete examples worksheet with their own unique ideas about
uses of embellishment in various cultures today.
• Students will participate in drawing exercise on board to display understanding of
current uses of embellishment.
• Students will convey understanding of the uses of embellishment in various
cultures of both past and present through verbal prompts.
• Students will create a unique, interesting design with embellishment on their
Egyptian Death Masks
CHECKLIST  + -
Student created substantial
list of uses of embellishment.
Student participated in
drawing activity at the board.
Student followed instruction
to the art-making demo.
Student created unique
design for death mask.
Student responded to
teacher prompts.
Teacher used effective
prompts to promote student
participation.
Teacher stayed on task and
managed time well.
Teacher effectively
transitioned from one task to
the next.
Teacher adapted when
students needed different
way of explaining something.
INSTRUCTIONAL PROCEDURES:
Motivation/Engagement:
1. Teacher will prompt the students with the question of what they think
embellishment means.
2. Students will brainstorm a list of the various ways in which embellishment
can be used in our culture today.
3. Teacher will assist students by offering suggestions of the uses of
embellishment in other cultures around the world (Native American Headdress,
Bangles worn in India, etc.)
4. Teacher will reveal the basic template of a human form drawn on the
board that students will be asked to draw some sort of embellishment onto.
Development:
1. Students will apply knowledge and concepts of embellishment to a drawn figure
in order to convey understanding of the meaning of embellishment and the
various ways in which it can be used.
2. Teacher will give a demonstration on the techniques and procedures in creating
embellishment on an Egyptian Death Mask while giving further information on the
importance of embellishment in the Ancient Egyptian culture (i.e. The importance
of gold in the culture and use of heavy eye make-up)
3. Students will create unique and individual embellishment designs on their own
Egyptian Death Masks (primarily using the blue and gold strips; time for further
embellishment will be provided in later classes).
Culmination/Close:
1. Teacher will call for clean up with enough time for a few minutes of verbal review
in order to check students understanding and comprehension.
2. Teacher will ask students these review questions:
• What is embellishment?
• Why is embellishment important (to individuals and to cultures)?
• What were important types of embellishment on Egyptian Death Masks?
• Why were these things important to Egyptians?
• What are examples of embellishment seen in the world today?

PREPARATION:
1) Teacher Research and Preparation: Teacher should have all students supplies
prepared in an accessible location (glue sticks, embellishments papers, jems,
etc.). Worksheet for students to brainstorm ideas of embellishment onto should be
printed and should have enough copies ready to be passed out to the entire class.
Dry erase board should be prepared with drawing of the basic shape of a person,
ready for class embellishment activity.
2) Instructional Resources:
• http://www.king-tut.org.uk/egyptian-mummies/egyptian-masks.htm
Website dedicated to information on mummies, Egyptian masks, and King Tut.
• http://www.ancientegypt.co.uk/menu.html
The British Museum website which contains information regarding Ancient Egypt.
• “Embellishment Throughout the World” worksheet for student brainstorming.
 • Template for shape of basic human form created beforehand for class drawing to
display student understanding of embellishment.
3) Student Supplies: glue sticks, blue and gold paper strips, jems, beads, plastic
decorations, dry erase markers (for board activity), pencils

DIFFERENTIATED INSTRUCTION/ MODIFICATIONS:

Visually Impaired: Students with visual impairments could participate through
verbal communication their ideas of what embellishment is and where it can be used;
this could also take place of writing down ideas for brainstorming. During the board
activity teacher could create a cut out shape of the human form instead of a drawing on
the board, this will create a raised surface for the student to feel. During the
demonstration teacher will describe in detail the art making process. Student can
participate fully in embellishment of the mask due to the collage element of the piece.
Students can feel what they are placing on their piece and where.

Gifted: Students who are gifted will be encouraged to put great thought
processes behind the layout and aesthetic design of the embellishment of the Egyptian
Death Masks. In addition, students who are gifted will be prompted to create a list of
embellishments from today’s cultures, as well as cultures from the past. Students can
further research types of masks used in various cultures as well as further research the
details of Egyptian Death Masks, such as the importance of hieroglyphics.

Mobility: If a student has difficulties with mobility hand-over- hand assistance

could be used during the art-making process depending on specifications in the
student’s IEP. If able, students with limited motor skills can verbally participate in the
discussions and brainstorming about embellishment. Special marker or glue stick
adaptations could be made if student needs something larger to grasp. Modifications are
highly dependant on specific student’s needs and abilities.