Name : Kendra Metz

Lesson Title: Mandalas Please post, comes with good powerpoints

Class and Grade Level: 6th or 7th grade Social Studies or Art

Goals and Objectives: The student will demonstrate an understanding of the origins of Buddhism and the uses of mandalas around the world.

Curriculum standards addressed: Societies are shaped by beliefs, idea, and diversity.From the Kansas Standards for History Government and Social Studies document: “In this unit students should be introduced to human geography with a concentration on government, economics, and religion.” … “role of religious beliefs, impact of religion on development, Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, etc.” From Standard 3: “How do political, economic, and/or religious beliefs shape a culture? (Standard 3)“

Time required/class periods needed: 2 class periods – one for the history of Buddhism, one for making a mandala and learning about its uses.

Primary Source bibliography: Within the Powerpoint PowerPoint – each image is linked to the original source

Other resources used: 6th Grade Scott Foresman textbook

Required materials/supplies: colored sand (can be purchased through Amazon), copies of mandala templates, glue, plastic cups or muffin tins for storing the sand, paper plates

Vocabulary: Hinduism, Buddhism, meditation, enlightenment, reincarnation,

Procedure:

Day 1: Begin with the PowerPoint (attached). This talks students through the origins of Buddhism. It also has embedded self-evaluation of knowledge gained.

The second Mandala samples Powerpoint PowerPoint centers specifically around mandalas and their relatives and their uses around the world. At the end there are instructions on how to make your own mandala.

OPTIONAL: Show students various versions of the mandalas/rose windows/medicine wheels and ask them to make comparisons. Discuss why there is such variety in the use of materials, based on location and culture. How does each form represent the culture from which it originated?

Day 2: Pass out the sand and allow students to choose from one of three designs. As they work, click on the link to the video of the Tibetan monks designing and then destroying a large scale mandala. Do not warn the students that the monks will destroy it at the end (to represent impermanence). Instead, let the students see them cleaning up the sand and be shocked – then remind them of the Four Noble Truths and the belief that we should not try to count on things being permanent but instead be ok with the fact that life moves on.

Designs for Rangoli/mandala:

http://azcoloring.com/snowflake-template-for-kids

http://www.clipartbest.com/diwali-drawings

http://www.studyvillage.co m/resources/2950-Rangoli-Designs-Coloring-Pages.aspx

Assessment/Evaluation:

Informal quiz along the way, possibly a written response.

Optional written response: Explain the evolution of Buddhism. Describe the role of various forms of circle art in cultures from around the world.

Grade this writing using the rubric for the MDPT. (next page)

Biliography for Rangoli/Mandala designs: (Designs are on the following pages.)

http://azcoloring.com/snowflake-template-for-kids

http://www.clipartbest.com/diwali-drawings

http://www.studyvillage.com/resources/2950-Rangoli-Designs-Coloring-Pages.aspx