Activities:
Create Personal Mandalas (taken from TeacherVision).
BACKGROUND: The word mandala originates from the Sanskrit word for circle. A mandala symbolizes an imaginary place that is contemplated during meditation in both Hinduism and Buddhism. A mandala is any form of a circular geometric design that contains symbols of a person’s inner self, guiding principles, and overall ideas about the world. The significance of objects within a mandala is conveyed by shape, size, and color. The objects can be abstract designs or specific drawings of people, places, and ideas that are central to a person’s life.
Students will construct and illustrate a mandala that reflects their personalities and ideas about the world. A template has been provided below, but you can offer a model devoid of categories in order for the students to create their own.
First, introduce students to the concept of a mandala and show examples of what they look like (available on the Internet). Dividing the mandala into categories can encourage students to examine their many sides, opposing traits, strengths, and weaknesses. Provide students with categories in which to organize their mandala. This can also be the step most easily varied according to age and/or English skill level. A younger class would have easier concepts: Things I like/Things I don’t like or I’m happy when/I’m sad when, or Favorite Food/Favorite An older or more advanced group would have terms such as: I’m passionate about/My goals are/I admire… There should also always be a unifying element at the center of the mandala. For a personal mandala, “the self” makes most sense.
Next, you’re ready to actually create the mandala. On a sheet of construction paper, have students draw the basic outline for their mandala. You could also simply give them a template copied on regular Xerox paper. Using crayons, colored pens, or any other type of art supplies, students can fill in each section with symbols and/or words. Since the outside categories are what make up the inside (or “self”), have students complete the center of the mandala last for best results.
Once the project is complete, students should present their personal mandalas to the class.
Sample mandala:
