The below lesson is intended to take multiple class periods. This will be a project that students will always have in their folders and will continue to work on whenever I am absent. Do not worry about having them finish this in one class period!
You should walk them through this website. You can gather them around a computer, laptop, or iPad in order to show them this. Read through everything with them and show them all of the examples.
You should walk them through this website. You can gather them around a computer, laptop, or iPad in order to show them this. Read through everything with them and show them all of the examples.
A mandala (Sanskrit मण्डल: literally "circle") is a spiritual and ritual symbol in Hinduism and Buddhism, representing the universe. In common use, "mandala" has become a generic term for any diagram, chart or geometric pattern that represents the cosmos metaphysically or symbolically; a microcosm of the universe.
In various spiritual traditions, mandalas may be employed for focusing attention of practitioners and adepts, as a spiritual guidance tool, for establishing a sacred space as in an aid to meditation and trance induction.
(Above definition taken from Wikipedia.)
In various spiritual traditions, mandalas may be employed for focusing attention of practitioners and adepts, as a spiritual guidance tool, for establishing a sacred space as in an aid to meditation and trance induction.
(Above definition taken from Wikipedia.)
Project Description:
Students will create a mandala. Everything should be done in pencil first, then in sharpie. When they are done, students can use colored pencils or markers to color in their mandala. They can use any kind of paper they want to create their mandala. I suggest "big white paper" or construction paper. The bigger and more complex their mandala the better.
Materials Required:
Vocabulary:
Prep Steps:
Next Steps:
Final Steps:
Tips:
Students will create a mandala. Everything should be done in pencil first, then in sharpie. When they are done, students can use colored pencils or markers to color in their mandala. They can use any kind of paper they want to create their mandala. I suggest "big white paper" or construction paper. The bigger and more complex their mandala the better.
Materials Required:
- Pencils
- Erasers
- Paper ("big white paper" is in top of shelving unit, construction paper is near the bottom of the shelving unit)
- Compasses (They are in a bin in the big shelving unit). To make circles, they can also trace tape rolls, cups, etc.
- Rulers
- Access to this website (on their phones, computers or iPads) or access to printed out examples (in "Class Resources Folder" -- they know where this is).
Vocabulary:
- Mandala: A geometric figure representing the universe in Hindu and Buddhist symbolism.
- Symmetry: Each side is the mirror image of the other.
- Craftsmanship: Neatness. Encourage them to be neat and clean with their artwork.
- Patience: Students should take their time. Encourage them to slow down and not to rush.
Prep Steps:
- Watch Videos: Students should watch the below videos on how to make a mandala. They should also review the image examples on this page. (As their sub, you can show them this page using an iPad, laptop or desktop computer. Just have them gather around.)
- Research: Students should perform some research on their phones, iPads, or on the classroom computers to find designs they like. They can search terms like: "mandala designs," "colored mandalas," "zentangle designs," "patterns," "how to make a mandala."
Next Steps:
- Find Center: Find the center of your square shaped paper by using a ruler. Draw an X over the paper: a line from the top right corner to the bottom left, and a line from the top left corner to the bottom right. Where the lines intersect is the exact middle.
- Compasses: Student should use compasses or other round objects to make various sized circles on their paper. They should center their compass on the center of the paper (of the X).
- Measure for Symmetry: Students should use rulers to evenly split their circle into symmetrical sections (i.e. a line though their circles horizontally, then vertically, then diagonally... like splitting up a pizza!).
- Symmetrical Designs: Now students can start filling up their mandala with symmetrical designs. They should only use a pencil at this point.
- Sharpies: When they are done filling their entire mandala symmetrical designs, they can start to trace the whole thing with sharpies.
Final Steps:
- Color: They can color their mandala design however they choose.
- Cut-Out: They can carefully cut their mandala out, if they choose.
Tips:
- Encourage students to "back away" from their art to look at it from a distance.
- Have the students help each other. They are great artists and are very capable of helping each other.
HOW-TO VIDEOS
ARTIST EXAMPLES
