Let’s take a simple paper plate and learn how to make a Greek theatre mask with kids as we learn about the ancient time period. Also, look at my page Fun Ancient Greece Homeschool Unit Study and Lapbook and look at my second free Ancient Greece Lapbook for more ideas.
Making a Greek theater mask is a fun and educational craft that connects kids to ancient history and drama. Greek masks were bold, expressive, and exaggerated because they helped actors show emotions clearly in large amphitheaters.
In ancient Greek plays, masks represented stock characters like heroes, villains, gods, or ordinary people and also exaggerated emotions like joy, anger, sorrow, fear.
Greek theater masks were not made from paper plates like the ones we use today, instead, ancient craftsmen created them from lightweight, natural materials.
Because the masks were worn for long performances, they needed to be light enough for actors to carry without tiring. Artists painted them with bold colors so the expressions were easy to see from far away.
Unfortunately, since these materials were not very durable, none of the original masks have survived. What we know about them comes from ancient pottery, sculptures, and written descriptions.
KIDS BOOKS ABOUT ANCIENT GREECE
First, look at these books about Ancient Greece.
I prefer living books when I can find them.
8 Living History Books about Ancient Greece
You'll love this roundup of living history books about Ancient Greece.
In print for over fifty years, D'Aulaires Book of Greek Myths has introduced generations to Greek mythology—and continues to enthrall young readers. Here are the greats of ancient Greece—gods and goddesses, heroes and monsters—as freshly described in words and pictures as if they were alive today. No other volume of Greek mythology has inspired as many young readers as this timeless classic. Both adults and children alike will find this book a treasure for years to come. “For any child fortunate enough to have this generous book . . . the kings and heroes of ancient legend will remain forever matter-of-fact; the pictures interpret the text literally and are full of detail and witty observation.”—The Horn Book
The suggested reader age for this book is 8 to 14 years old. To write this book, I went back to Herodotus, Plutarch, Diogenes Laertius, and other ancient sources of biographical anecdotes, and extracted from them the stories that will be most memorable to a modern kid. I retold them without adding any fictional color. I have omitted some things, however. Anything gruesome or seriously cruel is not included. Anything off-color, or outside traditional-family-friendly morality is not included. I have included only accounts of the most major battles, and without much detail. Battles are important, but as a kid - maybe as a girl - I was falling asleep over the ancient battles. Politics: Again, I have included only major turns of events.
I wove the information about the social order and geography of Ancient Greece into the stories of the era's historical figures. So, no worries, the kid will learn about the Agora and Acropolis of Athens, the city-states of Corinth and Sparta, daily life in an Ancient Greek household, the major Greek temples, and the three orders of Ancient Greek architecture. This book is richly illustrated. I don't agree that if you are 13 or 16 you should be content with pages and pages of text and no pictures. Illustrations help both kids and grownups to visualize - and therefore to remember - events and descriptions. I have illustrated the book mostly with paintings portraying historical figures or everyday life in classical Greece. Whenever I could, I chose late 19th century and early 20th century art over the older neoclassical paintings for a more accurate representation of the Ancient Greek costume and environment.
The Iliad is typically described as one of the greatest war stories of all time. Set during the Trojan War, this timeless poem vividly conveys the horror and heroism of men and gods wrestling with towering emotions and battling amid devastation and destruction. Homer's tale is a compassionate view of human life lived under the shadow of suffering and death in the face of an often uncaring divinity.
Jeanne Bendick, through text and pictures, admirably succeeds in bringing to life the ancient Greek mathematician who enriched mathematics and all branches of science. Against the backdrop of Archimedes' life and culture, the author discusses the man's work, his discoveries and the knowledge later based upon it. The simple, often humorous, illustrations and diagrams greatly enhance the text.
You have probably heard about Socrates, Plato and Aristotle. When it comes to ancient minds who created foundations in philosophy, science, and math, these three names would automatically come up. But what exactly did they do to warrant immense respect and admiration? Well, your fifth grader will soon find out from this biography book.
Illustrated by Erwin Schachner. The story of the Battle of Marathon and how it determined the future of Athens.
What was it like to live in Ancient Athens? All the people who lived in ancient Greece spoke the same language and worshipped the same gods and goddesses. But they all lived in different city states a city and the land around it that it controlled. These city states were all run differently, and there were often fights between them. Despite their differences, there were things that united the city states. Find out more in this exciting title.
Describes daily life in ancient Greece, discussing life in the city, life in the country, school, ceremonies and festivals, food, and other aspects
Next, look at these fun facts about Greek masks.
7 COOL FACTS ABOUT GREEK THEATER MASKS
- They were exaggerated on purpose- The eyes, mouths, and expressions were oversized so that even audience members sitting at the very back of the amphitheater could see what was happening on stage.
- They showed emotions clearly. Masks helped the audience instantly recognize whether a character was happy, sad, angry, or fearful. This was especially important in tragedies and comedies, where emotions were the heart of the story.
- One actor played many roles. In ancient Greek theater, there were only a few actors on stage. They switched masks to display a new character, which allowed one performer to play both a hero and a villain, or even a man and a woman.
- The masks were made from lightweight material. Ancient masks were usually made from linen, wood, cork, or stiffened leather, then painted. Unfortunately, none of the original masks have survived because the materials were not durable. We only know what they looked like from paintings, pottery, and descriptions.
- The open mouths may have worked like a microphone- Some historians believe the wide-open mouths of the masks helped project sound, making the actors’ voices louder in the large, echoing amphitheaters. They also helped express emotion as well.
- They symbolized comedy and tragedy- The two classic masks we often see today,a smiling face and a sad face, come directly from Greek theater. They represent the two main types of plays: comedies, which are lighthearted and funny, and tragedies, which are serious and sad.
- They inspired later theater traditions- The use of masks spread to Roman theater and influenced forms of drama around the world, including Italian commedia dell’arte and even some styles of Japanese Noh theater.
Next, look at these hands-on Ancient Greek activities.
ANCIENT GREEK CRAFTS AND ACTIVITIES TO TRY
- Great Minds Of The Past: List Of Ancient Greek Philosophers & How to Make A Wreath
- Fun Ancient Greece Activities To Learn From The Great Minds
- Hands-On Ancient Greece Study: Politics and Pottery
- 9 EASY and Fun Hands-on Ancient Greece Kids Activities
- Ancient Greece (Hands-on Science)
- Free Ancient Greece Go Fish Game – Ancient Greece Unit Study
- Ancient Greece Unit Study Play Stomachion Like Archimedes {Explore Geometry}
- Hands-on Activity Ancient Greece Chariot
- Ancient Greece Hands-on Activity Refraction
- Beware of Greeks Bearing Gifts – Great Big List of Ancient Greece Freebies
- 13 Living History Books about Ancient Greece
- Cursive and Free Greece Copywork Poetry
- Geronimo Stilton The Race Against Time Build a Fun Greek Water Clock
- Easy Hands-on Fun Ancient Greek Games for Kids DIY Knucklebones
- How to Make a Trojan Horse Craft | Fascinating Trojan Horse History
- Geronimo Stilton Race Against Time And Make Pottery Like Ancient Greeks
- Free Greek Mythology Unit Study and Greece Lapbook & Fun Hands on LEGO Zeus
- How to Make a Cool Greek Mythology Triorama With Kids
Finally, look at how to make a Greek theater mask.
HOW TO MAKE A GREEK THEATER MASK FROM A PAPER PLATE
You will need:
- Paper plate or cardboard base
- Scissors
- Penci
- Glue or tape
- Paint, crayons, or markers
- Construction paper or tissue paper
First, have your child choose a character or emotion to portray with their mask. Sketch out basic eye and mouth shapes.
Fold the plate in half and then open it, with the “back” of the plate facing you.
Cut the eyes out, be sure they are large enough for your child to see through.
For an open-mouth “speaking” look that is common in Greek theater masks, cut an oval for the mouth.
Build up noses, eyebrows, hair, beard, and lips by cutting out pieces of folded paper or cardboard scraps.
Glue these in place to add more dimension to your mask.
Use over-exaggerated expressions- make smiles very wide or frowns very deep, since ancient masks needed to be seen from a distance.
You can either paint on the mask or glue on pieces of construction paper, yarn, or tissue paper for hair, beards, or laurel wreaths. Use bright or dark, contrasting colors so the face is clear from a distance.
Make curly hair by wrapping paper strips around a pencil.
Then glue them into place.
Tape an elastic string to both sides so the mask can be worn. Or attach a craft stick to the bottom to hold it up in front of the face.
Once the masks are finished, encourage your child to perform short scenes or read lines from a Greek play.
