Mandala Designs
LESSON BACKGROUND
Students in grade 7 learned about the traditional role of the Mandala in a variety of cultures. They observed the creation and destruction of a sand Mandala by Buddhist monks (video seen to the right). The symbol of the Mandala, found primarily in Hinduism and Buddhism, is based on radial symmetry, a concept on which students were particularly focused. Students had to come up with a Mandala design including both organic and geometric shapes, and that was perfectly radial throughout the circle. Students first began with handout that showed a circle quarter. They designed one section of the Mandala and used tracing paper to repeat their design on all three sections. When the quarter of the circle was designed, students traced their design in black marker, and the designs were photocopied four times. The students added color with colored pencil. They were asked to use shading in one particular spot in their Mandala design, and were also able to add metallic acrylic paint as an accent. Interdisciplinary Connections: Math (Repeating pattern, Size Proportion); Social Studies (Eastern Culture) |
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Lesson Materials
mandala_designs.docx | |
File Size: | 1791 kb |
File Type: | docx |
Example Student Work
EXCEEDS STANDARD
This student produced a creative and well-crafted Mandala that uses intricate design and pattern. The student included many geometric and organic shapes, while extending her shapes to the exterior of the Mandala. The student was able to align the sections of her Mandala to match, and used superb craftsmanship when coloring. The detail was enhanced with her choice of shading during the coloring portion. This piece was an Honorable Mention in the Rhode Island Scholastic Art Awards.
This student produced a creative and well-crafted Mandala that uses intricate design and pattern. The student included many geometric and organic shapes, while extending her shapes to the exterior of the Mandala. The student was able to align the sections of her Mandala to match, and used superb craftsmanship when coloring. The detail was enhanced with her choice of shading during the coloring portion. This piece was an Honorable Mention in the Rhode Island Scholastic Art Awards.
MEETS STANDARD
While this student met the criteria of the lesson, he used mostly geometric shape with no evidence of organic shape in his design. The plain edges of the Mandala also seem to emphasize the highly geometric design. This piece is neatly crafted, though the quarters don't particularly line up. The lines of the Mandala sections are prominent, while the above mentioned student seems to have disguised them into a unifying design. The coloring and shading are well done.
While this student met the criteria of the lesson, he used mostly geometric shape with no evidence of organic shape in his design. The plain edges of the Mandala also seem to emphasize the highly geometric design. This piece is neatly crafted, though the quarters don't particularly line up. The lines of the Mandala sections are prominent, while the above mentioned student seems to have disguised them into a unifying design. The coloring and shading are well done.
APPROACHES STANDARD
This student approaches the standards of the lesson. There is an attempt to make the shapes neat; however, the student's lack of control over the drawing are evident in the end product. The student uses mostly geometric shapes with no evidence of organic shape. The coloring is not unified, with a variety of tones of blues that demonstrate lack of care in the final detail. The student did not have control over the colored pencil. The edges of the final design are also unevenly cut.
This student approaches the standards of the lesson. There is an attempt to make the shapes neat; however, the student's lack of control over the drawing are evident in the end product. The student uses mostly geometric shapes with no evidence of organic shape. The coloring is not unified, with a variety of tones of blues that demonstrate lack of care in the final detail. The student did not have control over the colored pencil. The edges of the final design are also unevenly cut.