Students will...

1. Learn about the history and cultural background of mandalas.
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2. Become aware of radial design in art through manmade and natural forms.

3. Merging mathematics, culture, and art by creating geometric patterns in a radial design.

4. Demonstrate the proper use of tools such as rulers and compasses and creating colored patterns using sand.

pencils and erasers
paper
rulers and compass
tracing paper
glue
masking tape
q-tips
colored sand

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> Introduce lesson with PowerPoint; what is a mandala, history of Tibetan culture, mandalas around the world, teacher samples, show examples of radial design in art and nature, etc…

> Review geometric terms. Use poster.
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> Demonstrate how to draw a simple mandala:

1. With pencil & ruler, measure & divide the paper vertically and horizontally with light pencil lines.
2. Again, divide the paper in half diagonally from corner to corner to make an X. When done, the paper will be divided into 8 triangles.
3. If students measured properly, all lines should intersect in the middle. If not, check measuring.
4. Students have an option to make the circle or I can do it. Use a compass that can hold a permanent, black marker and draw a circle, 14" in diameter using the point of intersecting lines as the center of the paper.
5. Next, use tracing paper to trace one of the triangle sections, thus the "pizza slice".
6. After a demo & discussion on symmetry and keeping the design large and simple, students will draw half of a shape on the left side and different half of a shape on the right side of the "pizza slice" with a pencil. Any negative space left over should be filled with shapes &/or lines too.
7. Graphite Transfer: Flip tracing paper over so the back is face up and fit "pizza slice" in one of the 8 sections on the drawing paper. Common sense, make sure point of the "slice" is in the middle of the paper.
8. Once the "slice" is lined up and fits perfectly in its section, trace the entire design with a pencil, making sure to press down hard.
9. Lift off tracing paper and there should be the printed image in the section.
10. Flip the tracing paper over so that the front (original position) is face up and place "slice" in the next section and trace. Where the two meet will complete the shape, thus a symmetrical design.
11. Continue flipping the tracing paper and tracing the design all the way around the circle until all sections are filled and completing the radial, symmetrical design.
(Caution students: Can get messy with graphite smears.)
12. Retrace the entire design with a permanent, black marker, except the lines made by a ruler.
13. Gently & thoroughly erase all pencil marks, lines, and smudges.
14. Watercolor pencil technique demonstration.
15. After the design is colored, paint the background with India ink. Depending on the coverage, 2 coats for a rich, black background.
16. Laminate. The colors intensify and the ink looks stellar.
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> Students spend 2-3 classes drawing mandalas.

> Demonstrate how to glue sand to their artwork.

> Students spend 2-3 classes adding colored sand to their mandalas.

Did student exhibit radial balance in completing a design inspired by Tibetan mandalas?

Did students successfully compose a radial design by transferring their image around the circle?

Did students show color planning in choice of colors for composition?

Did create symmetry in their design?

Did students exhibit craftsmanship in coloring their design with sand?

http://www.colormandala.com/
 http://www.amathsdictionaryforkids.com

Vocabulary:

Math Terms:
Radial balance - occurs when all the elements radiate out from a central point and the visual weight is distributed equally.
Symmetry - An object is symmetrical when one half is a mirror image of the other half. it may be divided by one or more lines of symmetry.
Diameter - A straight line passing through the center of a circle to touch both sides of the circumference.
Radius - The distance from the center of a circle to its circumference.
Circle - the set of all points in a plane a given distance from a given point.
Geometric Shapes: are circles, rectangles, squares, triangles and so on - have the clear edges one achieves when using tools to create them.

Mandala Terms:
Mandala: A Sanskrit word that can be translated as circle.
Buddhism: a belief system based on the teachings of the historical Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama, focusing on the attainment of release from an endless cycle of death and rebirth through enlightenment, or spiritual awakening.
Tibetan monk - a native of Tibet who is a man belonging to a religious order and living in a monastery

Art Terms
Symmetry - correspondence in size, shape, and position of parts that are on opposite sides of a dividing center line.
Art elements - Line, Form, Shape, Color
Principals of design - Balance, Emphasis, Unity,

[K-4] Students use art materials and tools in a safe and responsible manner

[5-8] Students select and use the qualities of structures and functions of art to improve communication of their ideas

[K-4] Students know that the visual arts have both a history and specific relationships to various cultures

[K-4] Students identify specific works of art as belonging to particular cultures, times, and places

[5-8] Students know and compare the characteristics of artworks in various eras and cultures

[5-8] Students analyze contemporary and historic meanings in specific artworks through cultural and aesthetic inquiry

[K-4] Students identify connections between the visual arts and other disciplines in the curriculum

Balance, Color/Value, Line, Rhythm/Pattern, Unity/Harmony

Drawing

Geography, Math, Multicultural Studies

Sand Mandalas 2.pptx
Sand Mandalas 3 student samples.pptx
Sand Mandalas 4 Math.pptx