Symbols Mandalas

GRADES 4-6 SCIENCE AND ART

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Earlier this spring, I was asked to prepare a presentation for elementary principals about our district’s visual arts program. Not one to do anything without a team, I immediately pulled together four art teachers (Rebecca Bailey, Tracy Evans, Linda Ford & Wynita Harris). Then, the brainstorming began as it always does. The ideas evolved from collaborative art to “big ideas” until we settled in on a cross-curricular project – but what?  Two of our teachers had time to visit us while working on a regional art event. With them, they brought the mandala idea to the group. The mandala is an ancient symbol from various cultural traditions, most often Buddhist and Hindu.  The word mandala is Sanskrit for “circle”.  Moreover, their designs involve beautiful, intricate, symmetrically patterned circles.

Talk to students about all of the origins of mandalas and the different cultures that use them. Integrate further discussion using math, symmetry, music, symbolism, and color theory.

Lesson Process:

Step 1: Through discussion (What do the symbols represent in the mandalas? What is the significance of the colors used? How can one visualize music in a mandala? How does it hold meaning to the artist who made it?)

Step 2: Use an essential question such as “How do mandalas represent self and culture?” then have students pair off to do a Think-Pair-Share.

Step 3: Brainstorm by listing colors, sketching symbols to represent self, drawing musical patterns.

Step 4:  Create a personal mandala.

Step 5:  Students will display mandalas and lead discussion about the importance of the symbols and colors chosen to represent personal self.

Step 6:  Students will evaluate own artwork by the use of self and peer critique. A class lead discussion about what was learned from this project.

Time Required:
30-45 minutes

Materials List:

  • The Mandala Book By: Lori Bailey Cunningham
  • Sketch Paper
  • Drawing Paper
  • Pencil
  • Sharpies
  • Crayola Twistables
  • Colored Pencils

Assessment:

Students are able to generate a list of symbols and colors to best describe personality. Students are able to explain why they feel their mandala is successful and how it could be improved upon