Make a Mandala

Students create their own mandalas to creatively apply elements of color, shape, and balance for self-expression and relaxation.

Engage

Read Loreen Leedy's Seeing Symmetry to engage your students in observing and wondering about math and shapes in the world around them.

Introduce your students to examples of radial symmetry. They may be familiar with the way flower petals radiate from the center, or perhaps they have seen a picture of a rose window in a cathedral such as Notre Dame.

Mandalas have been around for thousands of years and show up in different cultures across the globe. Mandalas are circular designs that use radial symmetry for balance. The word mandala comes from the Sanskrit word for circle, but mandalas can also be squares or a combination of squares and circles.

Let students know that they will be creating their own mandala using Wixie.

Create

Before students begin their mandalas, ask students to decide on the purpose. Have them use a cluster organizer to brainstorm or list symbols, images, and colors that reflect their experiences, feelings, and goals.

Cluster Organizer

Assign the mandala guide template to help them more easily organize their designs. Students can then add images and shapes and duplicate them to create their mandalas.

Mandala Guide Template

If students draw their mandala forms, it may, once again, help to provide them with a guide they can use to add and connect lines to form shapes and draw images within the radial form.

Share

Print and display the mandala images as an art exhibit in your classroom or school. You can also combine mandala images together using the Project Wizard to create a movie or run a slideshow for a digital art installation from your class or school website.

Reach out to a local coffee shop or small business to see if they are interested in showcasing student artwork outside of the school building. Host a "Meet the Artist" event to further connect with the community. Provide time for students to explain their choice of images and colors and what they represent.

Standards

National Core Arts Standards:

Creating

1. Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work.
2. Organize and develop artistic ideas and work.
3. Refine and complete artistic work.

Performing/Presenting/Producing

5. Develop and refine artistic techniques and work for presentation.

Connecting

10. Synthesize and relate knowledge and personal experiences to make art.