Masking Indian Youth Experience

Program Duration:

8 weeks (1 session per week)

Age Group:

Ages 7-12

Objectives:

• Educate children about the history and cultural significance of the Masking Indian tradition.
  

• Teach basic and advanced sewing and craft skills.
  

• Provide an immersive cultural experience by acting out tribe roles.
  

• Incorporate math skills through measurements and pattern design.
  

• Foster team-building, community spirit, and leadership skills.
  

• Encourage self-expression through journal writing.
  

• Objective: Learn the history and cultural significance.
  

• Activities:
  

  • Welcome and program introduction.
    

  • Storytelling session on the history of Masking Indians.
    

  • Show and tell with suits and artifacts.
    

  • Journal Entry: "What I learned about the Masking Indians today."
    

• Objective: Acquire basic sewing skills.
  

• Activities:
  

  • Introduction to sewing tools and materials.
    

  • Learning basic sewing techniques (threading a needle, simple stitches).
    

  • Creating a simple patch or small piece of beadwork.
    

  • Math Activity: Measuring fabric and calculating dimensions.
    

  • Journal Entry: "My first sewing experience."

• Objective: Design individual small pieces or patches.
  

• Activities:
  

  • Introduction to patch design.
    

  • Drawing and planning individual patches.
    

  • Group discussion on color patterns and symbolism.
    

  • Math Activity: Scaling designs to fit measurements.
    

  • Journal Entry: "My patch design."

• Objective: Enhance sewing and beading skills.
  

• Activities:
  

  • Working on individual patches.
    

  • Learning advanced sewing techniques and beading.
    

  • Collaborative work on a group project (banner or flag).
    

  • Math Activity: Calculating bead counts and patterns.
    

  • Journal Entry: "Progress on my patch."

• Objective: Learn about different roles within the tribe.
  

• Activities:
  

  • Discussion on various roles (Chief, Spy Boy, Flag Boy, etc.).
    

  • Role-playing activities to understand responsibilities.
    

  • Team-building exercises.
    

  • Journal Entry: "The role I want to play and why."

• Objective: Rehearse for the final performance.
  

• Activities:
  

  • Rehearsal of roles and responsibilities.
    

  • Practicing songs, dances, and chants.
    

  • Finalizing patches.
    

  • Team-building activity: Creating a cohesive performance.
    

• Objective: Make final preparations for the performance.
  

• Activities:
  

  • Ensuring all roles are understood and practiced.
    

  • Final touches on patches.
    

  • Team-building activity: Encouraging collaboration and support.
    

  • Journal Entry: "My thoughts before the performance."

• Objective: Present the final performance to parents and community members.
  

• Activities:
  

  • Final preparations.
    

  • Performance of the Masking Indian roles.
    

  • Community celebration with music and food.
    

  • Presentation of journals and patches.
    

  • Journal Entry: "Reflecting on my Masking Indian experience."

• Math Integration: Weekly math activities involving measurements, calculations, and patterns.
  

• Journal Writing: Weekly journal entries to encourage reflection and self-expression.
  

• Team-Building: Group activities to foster teamwork and collaboration.
  

• Community Building: Activities to connect with local cultural bearers and leaders.

• Sewing materials (fabric, needles, thread, beads, etc.).
  

• Journals and writing materials.
  

• Suits and artifacts for demonstration.
  

• Space for rehearsals and final performance.
  

• Volunteers or guest speakers with expertise in Masking Indian traditions.