Aboriginal Faces

Face painting is an ancient tradition! Explore the creative designs used by Australia's native peoples, who have painted their faces for centuries.

1. Research information about the Aboriginal people of Australia. Find out about their society, culture, and beliefs. Find photographs of Aboriginal people of various ages. Notice their facial structures, hair textures, and skin coloring. Why do these ancient people paint their faces? What designs do they use? What do they symbolize? Find out about the issues facing these native peoples today, and how they are adapting to today's culture.

2. Use Crayola® Multicultural Markers to sketch and color a portrait of an Aboriginal person. Refer to photographs for details.

3. With Crayola Crayons, decorate the face with authentic symbols of Aboriginal culture. Make sure the symbols are appropriate for the age, gender, and status of the person you drew.

Adult supervision is required for any arts & crafts project. Observe children closely and intervene as necessary to prevent potential safety problems and ensure appropriate use of arts and crafts materials. Some craft items, particularly beads and buttons, are potential choking hazards for young children. Avoid use of such small parts with children younger than 3 years. Craft items such as scissors, push pins and chenille sticks may have sharp points or edges. Avoid use of materials with sharp points by children younger than 4 years. Read all manufacturers' safety warnings before using arts and craft supplies.

• Find out about other characteristics of the Aboriginal culture such as art and music. Recreate cave or bark paintings, or make Didgeridoos From Down Under.
• Invite an expert to talk about Aboriginal life and history. Explore similarities and differences in the way the Aboriginal people, and Native Americans, were treated by European immigrants.
• Create a diorama of a traditional Aboriginal home. Do lots of research to make sure it is as authentic as possible.

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Stop Waste!

Lesson Plans

crayola supplies

• Crayons
• Multicultural Markers
• Construction Paper

grades

• Grades 4 to 6

subjects

• Social Studies
• Visual Arts

time

• Less than 1/2 hour
• 30 to 60 minutes

benefits

• Students research information about the culture and beliefs of native people of Australia.


• Students learn about how Australia's Aboriginal people have adapted to the 21st-century world while maintaining their culture.


• Students create a portrait of an Aboriginal person with an authentically painted face.

Research Canada Standards
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Research U.S. Standards