Superhero Masks

In my work with school-age children, we use recycled materials as a primary resource for creating projects. The children were painting in the days before we started the mask project. When the children paint, they use paper plates as a palette. I like paper plates because of the large surface area. Paper plates give the children ample room for paint mixing.

When children finish a painting project, I take the old paint-filled paper plates and fold them in half to create a design on the entire surface of the plate. Then I place the paper plates on the drying rack. After the plates are dry, I stack them in our storage area for later use.

Being a program that enjoys and uses recycled materials, it seemed silly to throw away the paper plates we use to mix paint. I started saving used paper plates and other paper goods. We also save creative work the children do not want to take home and use it the following year to create new projects.

One day the children were bored and looking for a new project. I walked into our storage area and grabbed a large handful of recycled paper plates. I set them on the table and asked the children, “What could we make from these plates?”

At first, the children were quiet. Then they started talking about leaving the table and doing something else. I suggested creating a project with yarn and the painted plates since we had an extra supply of yarn. Together we brainstormed ways to combine the two materials. After a few minutes, I could tell the children were not interested in my idea.

The children were contemplating my idea. At first, they did not know what to say. We worked together to see if one fun or exciting idea would emerge from our discussion. No luck. Not knowing exactly how to tell me my plan was not interesting; the children said they were more interested in building. They added that maybe we could try this combination of materials another time.

The children left the table and decided to build with Magna-tiles and play board games. I sat alone with my paper plates and yarn. I used this time to observe the children as they worked. Some children were creating a pretend school. At another table, children were exploring dough. As I sat alone, one child walked over to see what I was doing. I told the child my story about how the other children were not interested in plates and yarn. The child said, “It would be more fun to make masks.” I replied, “Do you want to make a mask?”

I was excited that one child wanted to create a mask. If we are patient and wait for the children, they will show us the way. This one interaction paved the way for our future work together.

I asked the child what other materials they needed to make a mask. They said scissors, glue, pencil, and sharpies. Together we collected the materials for mask making. The child started working. First, they added lines to the plate for eye holes. Next, the child used a sharpie to draw images on the painted surface. The child said they were making a “superhero mask.” The idea to make this type of mask connected to the recent superhero play during outside time.

As the child finished their mask, a few other children came over to see what was happening. I invited the child to share their work. After hearing the story of the superhero mask, other children wanted to make one. Ten minutes later, seven children were around the table making superhero masks. As the children finished creating masks, imaginary superhero play began.

I was not sure what the children would do with the masks. Sometimes children make props like masks and take them home. On other occasions, the children are only interested in the process of creating. Some projects end up on display or recycled into new work. I was happy to see the children use the masks for play. The children’s desire to create spawned another form of expression.

The children moved to another part of the room and started creating superhero scenes and scenarios. Superhero play seized the program. Soon, more children wanted to make a mask. The large pile of recycled painted paper plates was disappearing. The next day, superhero play continued and lasted until the weekend. On Monday morning, the children moved on to new work. On occasion, the children talk about making masks. Usually, when we use recycled paper plates for other projects. One child will say, “do you remember the time we made masks?” Then we all tell stories about how we came together as a learning community for some superhero fun.