Subjects: Geometry, Art, Social Studies (World History)
Patty Winkler Michael E. DeBakey High School for Health Professions Houston, TX email address: pwinkler@houstonisd.org
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Mandalas have been present in many cultures throughout history. They are a wonderful source of study in a Geometry classroom. This lesson includes examples from the Aztecs, Tibetans, Hindus and from a modern artist. This lesson plan includes a Microsoft PowerPoint presentation for the computer, a number of examples of mandalas, cultural links of mandalas, and a short history of the Aztecs of Mexico. This lesson can be done in one class period with much of the Aztec background information researched at home or you can discuss the Aztec history as part of the class lesson if you like. This will require a minimum of a second class period.
This lesson is intended for use with students studying geometry. It can be adjusted for students from grades 3 to adult.
The student should be able to
This list can be altered as you adjust this lesson to your classroom.
Paper
compass
straightedge
Internet connection with World Wide Web Access
Computer with Microsoft Powerpoint
resources listed below
There is a Microsoft PowerPoint presentation which is the focus of this lesson. It contains the general information about mandalas and the presence in the world around us. Follow the information presented in the Powerpoint slides and teacher notes.
After looking at Mandalas in a general form, show the students how easy it is to make one. The transparencies and graphics for this are included with this lesson. You can make your own also. The transparencies included in "Building your own mandala" show the layering effect of a mandala and also give the students a good perspective of the relationship of the center to the circumference.
Finally, have the students read and discuss Aztec history and the importance of the Stone Calendar in the everyday lives of the Aztecs. Give them copies of the Aztec history information and allow them time to read and interpret it.
When I teach Geometry, this is one of my favorite lessons to do at the start of the year. It allows the students to practice using the compass and straightedge, but it also gives them a chance to be creative, in a mathematical way.
I was involved in a distance education project called Owlink a number of years ago. It was a collaborative effort between Southwestern Bell Telephone Company, Rice University, the Houston Independent School District and the South Texas Independent School District. This project was a pilot for video teleconferencing in the public school setting. I taught this lesson interactively a number of times via this distance education network. This lesson worked well there also. I taught this lesson interactively with a group of third, fourth and fifth grade students and ninth grade students.. The age difference had little affect on this lesson and made for an interesting difference in perspective when we asked students for their input and comments. In this situation we team taught this lesson. I taught the geometric aspects of the mandala and how to build it and the other teacher taught the Aztec history and the importance of the stone calendar. It was very different, but very exciting. I believe this could work well in any school that is searching for interdisciplinary units to cross the typical "subject area boundaries." I also believe it would work well with students who are developmentally challenged, with some modifications.