Man of the Century

crayola supplies

household supplies

Why?

What's behind Albert Einstein's frizzy hair, wiry mustache, and penetrating eyes? Find out and create a bas-relief mask of this unforgettable face.

Steps

  1. 1. Quickly gather general information about Albert Einstein using electronic and text resources. Share these well-known facts about this well-known man, including his famed ability to think about the world in a different way. Write a short paragraph with Crayola® Metallic Colored Pencils giving an overview of Einstein's life and work.
  2. 2. Begin a new paragraph with "But did you know...?". Put your writing aside for a bit to dig deeper into your resources for some less familiar facts about Einstein. What were his ideas on the meaning of life, the perfect government, and the value of imagination? Collect interesting quotes. Find out about his childhood and family life. Organize your information into a series of related sentences and then paragraphs to complete your report on Einstein.
  3. 3. Refer to a photograph of Einstein. Use art materials in a new way to create an honorary bas-relief mask of his face. Cover your work area with newspaper. Wet construction paper with a solution of equal parts Crayola School Glue and water to build up Einstein's face on cardboard. Roll paper into a ball and place under a second piece of construction paper for a nose.
  4. 4. Think of inventive ways to make eyes and mouth. Glue on twine hair, eyebrows, and a mustache. Dry.
  5. 5. Paint with Crayola Washable Watercolor Paints and Watercolor Brushes. Dry.
  6. 6. Add excitement to the mask with Crayola Oil Pastels. Be imaginative in your use of bright colors on and around the mask.

adaptations

Display masks and research in a science area or Man of the Century hallway gallery. Dress as Einstein for his birthday on March 14, or whenever your gallery opens. Create hair from cut strips of newspaper and mustaches from paper or felt. Memorize quotes from Einstein and speak only in his words with gallery visitors.

With early readers, read aloud Ibi Lepscky's Albert Einstein. Talk about how Einstein was unlike other children in his boyhood. Create an imaginative class story about a day Albert Einstein was the new kid in class. Think of ways classmates are each different and special like Albert.

Older students delve into Einstein's scientific research. Create models or dioramas depicting his theories and work, and how his creativity has changed the world.

benefits

Children research well-known and lesser-known facts about Albert Einstein.

Students organize their information and write a report on Einstein's life, work, and philosophies.

Students create colorful bas-relief mask images to honor Einstein's contributions.

grades

Pre-K and Kindergarten
Grades 1 to 3
Grades 4 to 6
Grades 7 to 12
Special Needs

subjects

Language Arts
Math
Science
Social Studies
Visual Arts

time

30 to 60 minutes
Multiple Sessions

curriculum standards links

US: Research U.S. Standards
UK: Research UK Standards
Canada: Research Canada Standards

safety guidelines

Costumes & Masks— CAUTION: When children wear hand-crafted costumes and masks, make sure the crafts do not obstruct the child’s vision, hearing, or impede movement. Do not use feathers, fabric, or raffia on wearable costumes and masks because these items do not pass costume flammability tests. Wearable masks are those held in place on the face with elastic, yarn, or other materials. Keep away from open flames.

Crayola Washable Paints—Not for use as body/face paint.

String-Like Materials—Includes string, raffia, lacing, yarn, ribbon, and other similar material. Children 3 years and younger should not be given any string-like material that is longer than 12 inches. Close adult supervision is essential whenever children use string-like material. When crafts are to be worn around the necks of children 8 years and younger, attach the ends of the “string-like material” with clear adhesive tape, which allows easy release of the bond if the craft becomes entangled or caught on equipment. For children older than 8 years, the ends of the “string-like material” may be tied and knotted.

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