Face Painting and Cordage

Transcription

1 BCPS Outdoor Science Native Americans and the Environment Fourth Grade Program Camp Puh tok Station Leader Information Face Painting and Cordage Camp Puh tok Directions Camp Puh'tok is readily reached via the Baltimore Beltway (I-695). Take exit 24 North on the Baltimore-Harrisburg Interstate (I-83) to Mt. Carmel Road - Hereford exit 27. Turn right onto Mt. Carmel Road. Make a right on York Road (traffic light) and proceed one block. Turn left onto Monkton Road (MD Route 138). Drive 0.7 (seven-tenths) of a mile and bear left onto Big Falls Road. The main camp entrance is located 1.2 (one and two-tenths) miles on the right and marked by a large wooden sign. Park and Ride: After taking exit 27, make a left onto Mt. Carmel Rd. You will go over Rt. 83. The first right turn is the Park and Ride. Upon leaving the Park and Rid, turn left onto Mt. Carmel Rd. and continue to York Rd. See above for further directions. Phone Numbers Baltimore County Teacher Naturalist Pat Ghingher pghingher@bcps.org 1

2 Walter Massey Camp Puh tok FACE PAINTING & CORDAGE STATION TIME: 30 minutes PLACE: Thunderbird Lodge NOTES TO PARENTS: You need to arrive 45 minutes before the student usually 9:00 AM. During this time you will set up the station and familiarize yourself with the activities. Please bring the following materials for your station Wet Ones Paper Towels Yarn cut into 36 inch pieces (each child will need 2 pieces) HOW TO MANAGE THE FACE PAINTING AND CORDAGE STATION Seat students at chairs. Assign a parent(s) to the Cordage table; have them tape down the yarn and learn to tie the macramé knot. Divide students into two groups half will do cordage and half face paint. Rotate groups between Face Painting and Cordage. BACKGROUND INFROMATION Our recorded history of American Indian people begins with descriptions by sixteenth century European traders of the Algonquian people. They were described as handsome people who liked painting their bodies. Red was a favorite color and was often spread over their bodies. This led to the traders calling them red men. Red and yellow ochre rock was ground to a fine powder to make red and yellow face paint. Black paint was made from charcoal left over from burning wood. White paint came from white clay or chalk rock. Bear or buffalo fat was mixed with the ground rocks and charcoal to from a paste, which was put on the skin. The face 2

3 paint served as a sun block and insect repellant as well as decoration. The American Indians used red as a background color the same way we might use a facial make-up or tan our bodies. Both men and women painted their faces but men rarely used decorative paints other than red unless they were preparing for battle. Each warrior painted himself with hopes of frightening his enemies. Different figures or designs were drawn on the body - see pictures located on the face painting table. The colors used for face painting meant different things to different groups of American Indians, but usually the following colors were used to represent: black for death, red for life, blue for sad or trouble, white for peace, and yellow for joy. Individuals usually carried their own bags of colors and bear grease because these were not always easy to find and therefore considered very valuable. American Indians also perfumed or scented their bodies by smoking themselves with burning sage, sweetgrass, lavender, rosemary or other aromatic plants. They put bear fat on their hair to make it shine and often added soot from the fire to deepen the natural black color. In some tribes, boys were not allowed to grow their hair long until they were sixteen. Tattooing was also popular. Some American Indians would tattoo symbols of their tribe on their bodies. Cheeks and arms were favorite permanent decoration sites. Cordage is made by twisting or braiding various fibers together to form a different types of cording. American Indians used the cordage they made to make clothing, fishing line, fish nets, dwellings, and weapons. They possessed a vast knowledge of cordage as far back as 3000 years ago. American Indians made cord and thread from the fibers of many plants, trees, and other material such as animal sinew and rawhide TALKING POINTS In the 1500 s, European traders encountered American Indians in Maryland called the Algonquians. How did the traders describe these American Indians? Indians, red men What favorite color did American Indians use to paint themselves? Red What natural resources did American Indians use to make their paint? Rocks, charcoal, berries, roots, bear fat Why did American Indians paint themselves? Decoration, protection from sun, insects, and cold, to show which clan they belonged 3

4 Why do we paint ourselves? Decoration, protection from sun and insects What natural resources do we use? Oils from animals and plants, colors from plants and minerals Both men and women decorated themselves with paint. When did men usually wear paint? Prepare for battle Many American Indians carried a bag containing paint and bear fat. What do you carry when you travel? What did you bring to Camp Puh tok? Lunch, drink, sunscreen, hat, chap stick What other decorations did American Indians use? hair dressings, jewelry Tattoos, perfumes, When you think of colors like black, red, blue, white, and yellow what feelings do you think of? American Indians used black for death, red for life, blue for sad or trouble, white for peace, and yellow for joy CORDAGE TALKING POINTS What does cordage mean? Rope or cord What natural resources might American Indians used to make their cordage? Plants, trees, animal sinew, and rawhide Why was cordage important to American Indians? The thread, string and rope they made were very important in their daily lives. What did they use the cordage for? Making clothing, fishing line, fishnets, dwellings, and weapons. FACE PAINTING ACTIVITY The American Indians usually painted their whole bodies; students will just paint their face and/or arms for decoration. Red and yellow ochre will be ground to make red and yellow paint. White paint will be made by grinding 4

5 clay or naturally occurring chalk. Ground charcoal from burned wood will be used to make black paint. Demonstrate how to grind (not pound) rocks and how to move the paper with ground rock to shells. Have students grind rocks and fill shells with ground rock. Parent (not students) adds water to shell and pigment. Have students mix the water and ground rock with their finger then apply the color with fingers to their face or hands. Geometric shapes (circles, lines, triangles, etc.) are the easiest to master. Be sure students wash their hands before leaving the Face Painting table. CORDAGE ACTIVITY If there is only one person trained for this station, make sure chaperones are taught how to tie the cordage knot. This can be done while the student orientation is taking place. Chaperones can do the cordage with half of the student while the trained Station Leader does the face painting with the other half. Groups should switch at the appropriate time. Have parent chaperones tape yarn to table while the Station Leader gives the background Information. Explain to students that they are going to use yarn for their cordage and will be making a bracelet today. Complete bracelets and tie onto student s wrist. CLEAN-UP Count and inspect all equipment. Please report what needs to be repaired or replaced. Clean area but do not put equipment away. Do not wash shells as pigment can be used again. ROTATION: Your group will rotate to the Games Station. Instruct students to sit at empty tables and not to touch the games equipment until told. Students from the Dwelling Station will come to you. 5