Alebrijes
Lesson Plan for 2010 NEH Summer Institute
Introduction: The first alebrijes, along with use of the nonsensical term, originated with Pedro Linares
of Oaxaca, Mexico. After dreaming about the creatures while sick in the 1930s, he began to create
what he saw in cardboard and papier-mâché. The Oaxaca valley area already had a history of carving
animal and other types of figures from wood, and Linares’ designs were adapted to the carving of a
local wood called copal. Many rural households in the Mexican state of Oaxaca have prospered
through the sale of brightly painted, whimsical woodcarvings they call alebrijes to international tourists
and the owners of ethnic arts shops in the United States, Canada, and Europe. The alebrijes in Oaxaca
is a marriage of native woodcarving traditions and influence from the work of Pedro Linares.
Subject and Grade Level: Sculpture, grades 4-6 with adaptations for other grade levels.
Time Required: Six class periods
Lesson Description:
After a general introduction to Oaxaca, Mesoamerican culture, Mexican Folk Art through a Power Point, pairs
of students will conduct an Internet and sketch their favorite alebrijes. Students will view the video
tape”Oaxacan Woodcarving: Innovation Meets Tradition” students will then make their own Oaxacan inspired
sculpture out of papier-mâché fashioned after the woodcarvings they have viewed or sketched.
Objectives:
Students will learn
 General information about Oaxaca

A brief history of Mexican folk art as related to Alebrijes

Spanish and related art vocabulary

Techniques for making a papier-mâché sculpture inspired by Mexican art forms
Key Ideas and/or Driving Questions:

Many art forms begin with the concept of an individual.

Regional art is reflective of the resources of the area.

What are the techniques used in making alebrijes?

What roles do women take in the process of completing an alebrijes?

How have alebrijes changed the lives of many Oaxaca natives?
KeyVocabulary:
Source: Wikipedia, links provided further information
Alebrijes
brightly colored Mexican folk art sculptures of fantastical creatures
Animalitos
little animals
Armature
a form usually wire to begin a papier-mâché sculpture
Complimentary Colors
colors that are opposite on the color wheel
Mesoamerican Cultures and Their Histories: Spotlight on Oaxaca
Christy Gill
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Alebrijes
Lesson Plan for 2010 NEH Summer Institute
Copal
the wood most commonly used by the woodcarvers in Oaxaca, Mexico. The
woodcarvers refer to Bursera glabriofolia as "macho" or male copal
Elements of Art
line, color, shape, value, form, space, shape, texture
Figures
another way to refer to the alebrijes, figures
Line
a prominent element of art artists incorporate into alebrijes
Manuel Jiménez
master woodcarver recognized as the founder of folk art woodcarving in Oaxaca,
http://www.tilcajete.org/article.htm
Mexico
Papier-mâché
(French for 'chewed-up paper', due to its appearance), commonly called papier mâché, is a
construction material that consists of pieces of paper, sometimes reinforced with textiles,
stuck together using a wet paste
Pattern
alebrijes are decorated with bright patterns in complimentary colors
Pedro Linares
was a Mexican artist and creator of the paper maché figurines named alebrijes
Piñata
a brightly-colored decoration made from either a clay container or cardboard shape covered with
papier-mâché
Background Knowledge Needed (teacher and student):
General knowledge of Mexican folk art, Mesoamerican culture and papier-mâché techniques
Materials:
Paper strips
Papier-mâché medium
Assorted colors of acrylic craft paint
Examples of Oaxacan woodcarvings and papier-mâché alebrijes
PowerPoint slide show
Video tape -”Oaxacan Woodcarving: Innovation Meets Tradition”
Procedures:
 Introduce project
1. Students will hear the story of Pedro Linares and make a small book to retell his story.
2. Students will view a PowerPoint explains how to search the Internet for alebijes.
3. After viewing the Power Point students will search the Internet in pairs for examples of
Oaxacan woodcarvings. They will each select four and sketch them and describe them on a
prepared worksheet.
4. Show the video”Oaxacan Woodcarving: Innovation Meets Tradition” which shows.
5. Display Oaxacan woodcarvings and papier-mâché alebrijes examples.
Mesoamerican Cultures and Their Histories: Spotlight on Oaxaca
Christy Gill
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Alebrijes
Lesson Plan for 2010 NEH Summer Institute
 Explain and demonstrate papier-mâché techniques for making a three dimensional forms inspired by
Oaxacan folk art.
 Students will create the three dimensional form of their choice. After the pieces are dry they will paint
the forms using acrylic paints in the style of the Mexican Folk Art artists.
Adaptations for other grade levels
1. Students will use clay to form an animal or mystical figure. After the figure is bisque fired a base coat
will be added to cover the object. Students will paint the creation similar to the one they have selected
from the PowerPoint.
2. Students will carve an animal or mystical figure using a soft carving product specifically made for this
purpose. Generally better for high school students. For authentic wood carving information of Oaxaca:
http://www.oaxacaoaxaca.com/woodcarving.htm )
3. Students in primary grades may use Crayola Modeling Clay to create an animal and simulate the lines
and patterns with Sharpies.
Closure & Assessment (tie to key ideas - what was learned):
Students will be assessed (using quiz and rubric for project) according to their knowledge of
 General knowledge of Oaxacan folk art and Mesoamerican culture
 Completion of four sketches with descriptions.
 Creativity of design
 Quality of completed sculpture
Extensions/Connections (including possible grade level and interdisciplinary modifications):
This lesson has many possibilities for extension and connection. In addition to students making their
sculpture, students could:

Create an exhibit of their work for their school or community

Publish their artworks on the Internet on the school website

Write a story about their created sculpture

Sell their sculptures

Plan a fiesta day to share what they’ve learned about Oaxaca and Mesoamerican culture.
Grade level is very flexible depending on depth of research about Oaxaca and Mesoamerican culture.
Related Standards:
Content Standard 1
Understanding and applying media, techniques, and processes
Achievement Standard
Students know the differences between materials, techniques, and processes
Students describe how different materials, techniques, and processes cause different responses
Mesoamerican Cultures and Their Histories: Spotlight on Oaxaca
Christy Gill
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Alebrijes
Lesson Plan for 2010 NEH Summer Institute
Students use different media, techniques, and processes to communicate ideas, experiences, and stories
Students use art materials and tools in a safe and responsible manner
Content Standard 4
Understanding the visual arts in relation to history and cultures
Achievement Standard
Students know that the visual arts have both a history and specific relationships to various cultures
Students identify specific works of art as belonging to particular cultures, times, and places
Students demonstrate how history, culture, and the visual arts can influence each other in making and studying works of art
Resources (include useful web links):
 Web Links:
http://www.ask.com/wiki/Alebrije history of the alebrije
** http://www.gonomad.com/happenings/0012/ryan_mexico.html a story about Pedro Linares
http://www.oaxacaoaxaca.com/woodcarving.htm
Information about the origin of the “alebrijes”
http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-25250365_ITM
This site contains information about purchasing the video tape, ”Oaxacan Woodcarving:
Innovation Meets Tradition” “This delightful video presents the art of woodcarving through a
demonstration by Zeny Fuentes. His charm and skill are sure to impress students and adults
alike. Using the carving and painting techniques of contemporary artisans in Oaxaca, Zeny
demonstrates the steps involved …”
http://jlong.cancunarts.com/alebrije.html Step by step photos of the making of alebrijes
http://www.driftwood-dreams.co.uk/learn_papier_mache/history.htm a history of Mexican
papier-mâché sculpture
http://doe.sd.gov/octa/ddn4learning/programguide/streamedvideo/docs/middleschoolspanish
/MODULE2/MSL041/MSL41C1.PDF step by step papier-mâché instructions
http://www.mexicoartshow.com/linares.html examples of papier-mâché alebrijes
 Research Sites containing images of woodcarvings and papier-mâché alebrijes
http://zenyfuentesoaxacanwoodcarving.com/salesgallery.html
http://www.fofa.us/whyfriends.html
Mesoamerican Cultures and Their Histories: Spotlight on Oaxaca
Christy Gill
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Alebrijes
Lesson Plan for 2010 NEH Summer Institute
http://www.tilcajete.org/collectors.htm
http://www.tilcajete.org/midcom.htm
http://www.sirenasisters.com/wood.htm
http://www.aztec-empire.com/alebrijes.htm
http://oaxacaculture.wordpress.com/2009/12/10/holiday-gift-ideas-from-oaxaca-alebrijes-for-sale/
 Books:
ABECEDARIOS Mexican Folk Art ABCs in Spanish & English by Cynthia Weill / K.B. Basseches illustrated
by Moisés & Armando Jiménez
OPUESTOS Mexican Folk Art Opposites in English and Spanish by Cynthia Weill illustrated by Quirino
Martin Santiago
Oaxacan Woodcarving: The Magical Trees by Shepard Barbash
 You Tube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7bNMsE8GB2s&feature=related Video with Pedro Linares
Mesoamerican Cultures and Their Histories: Spotlight on Oaxaca
Christy Gill
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Alebrijes
Lesson Plan for 2010 NEH Summer Institute
An Internet Search: Alebrijes
1. View alebrijes on the Internet. Select favorites.
2. Sketch and describe pieces selected. Include name of object, colors, dominate Element of Art.
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Mesoamerican Cultures and Their Histories: Spotlight on Oaxaca
Christy Gill
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Alebrijes
Lesson Plan for 2010 NEH Summer Institute
Storybook template.
Cut and fold, staple for a student made booklet describing the origin of the alebrijes.
Read http://www.gonomad.com/happenings/0012/ryan_mexico.html , http://www.ask.com/wiki/Pedro_Linares for
background information.
ALEBRIJES
A story about Pedro Lineres
Mesoamerican Cultures and Their Histories: Spotlight on Oaxaca
Christy Gill
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Alebrijes
Lesson Plan for 2010 NEH Summer Institute
Rubric for Alebrijes Project – Please check appropriate description for the quality of work you did on each
phase of this project.
Self assessment
Outstanding
Completed four sketches and
descriptions of alebrijes from
Internet search
Completed the mini storybook
with illustrations of the life of the
inventor of the alebrijes.
Finished structure is sturdy and is
either a recognizable animal or
mystical creature.
Painting of the completed alebrijes
included pattern, line, and
contrasting colors
Name__________________________
Satisfactory
Unsatisfactory
Completed at least two of the four
descriptions and sketches of alebrijes
from the Internet search
Did not complete more than one
description and sketch of alebrijes
from the Internet search
Partially completed the storybook
with either missing text or missing
illustrations but does indicate parts of
the story of the inventor of alebrijes.
Finished creature has paintable
surfaces.
Your book does not retell the story
Painting of alebrijes includes at least
one of the following: pattern, line or
contrasting colors.
Painting is a solid color without
pattern, line or contrasting colors.
life of the inventor of the alebrijes.
Finished creature is either falling apart
or does not have paintable surfaces.
Describe one thing you like about this project and why you like it:
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Describe one thing that you would do differently and why:
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Mesoamerican Cultures and Their Histories: Spotlight on Oaxaca
Christy Gill
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Alebrijes
Lesson Plan for 2010 NEH Summer Institute
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What were you trying to accomplish or say with this project?
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Christy Gill
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