Teaching Ideas
Encouraging Dialogue
For Students K-12
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What does this mask appear to be made of?
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How would this feel if you could touch it? Would it be warm or cold? Smooth or bumpy?
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Notice the eye holes and holes on the side of the mask: this was meant to be worn. How do you think it would feel against your face?
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The type of stone this is made from is called jadeite; this was a precious stone to the Olmec people who made this sculpture. Jadeite is a green-colored stone. The Olmec associated this stone with water and royalty and thought it symbolized purity. Who do you think would have worn this mask?