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.

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.

Adaptations

• Find out about other characteristics of the Aboriginal culture such as art and music. Recreate cave or bark paintings, or make <a href="http://www.crayola.com/educators/lessons/display.cfm?id=483"> Didgeridoos From Down Under</a>.
• 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.