Mandalas for Peace

This year, I wanted to take the opportunity to honor Nelson Mandela as well as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. for their devoted life work and sacrifice for peace and equality. This lesson took a lot of prep on my part, but it was well worth it.

Our 4th Grade Friendship Art Group helped paint two posters to honor these great men.

Our Kindergarten and 2nd Grade classes, designed these beautiful mandalas. We talked about radial symmetry, looked at lots of examples online, and spent some time talking about how and why mandalas are created. We even watched a youtube video of the creation and destruction of a mandala which was fascinating. The class couldn't get over the fact that mandalas, which are traditionally made from colored sand, are swept up and put back in the nearest river, lake, sea etc after they have been completed.

I provided a plethora of colored shapes for the students to arrange into a design. Sequins and smaller geometric shapes were added at the end to add detail to these great pieces.

I am reminded every year at this time of how brave and tenacious these men were at the most difficult of times. I too dream that my daughters will continue to see progress towards equality and peace for all throughout the world.