PBL Project Planner

Grade 8 Mandala

Project Name The Mandala
Project Summary Students will design and create individual personalized mandalas in which their life
experiences inform the symbols and designs integrated into the radial structure. Inspired by the
ephemeral sand mandalas of Tibetan culture as well as the street performance mandalas of
contemporary artist Joe Mangrum, students will learn how to simplify and abstract images to
incorporate them more successfully into an integrated design. The mandalas will be hand drawn,
scanned and then digitally painted and repeated to complete the radial design. The completed mandalas
will be printed and exhibited, each accompanied by a personally written artist statement explaining the
making and the symbolism of the work.
Essential Questions
Why is the circle a universal symbol/shape?
What is the value of ephemeral art?
How and why do we express ourselves through art?
How does the understanding of balance enhance design?
How can technology aid the artistic process?

Product or Performance Exhibition of printed mandalas accompanied by artist statements. A video
compilation of the mandalas will also be created.

Learning Goals
Students will learn:

About the cultural background of Tibetan mandalas, and research other ancient cultures where
the circular shape is used to symbolize meaning.
About balance as a guiding principle of design, namely, radial balance.
To create a personal mandala slice design using personal symbols derived from significant
moments in their life. The making of the mandala slice will be a process involving research and
multiple drafts.
To digitally paint their mandala slice design using a personally chosen split complementary
color scheme and repeat their painted design using the tools in Photoshop.
To participate in a mid-project critique and a summative critique with their peers, to give and
receive feedback on their work.
To express the personal significance and meaning of the completed mandala in a written artist
statement for the exhibition.


In Art, all the L21 skills will be taught but a few will be assessed.










Tech Infusion
In Art, students will draw out a mandala slice by hand and then scan their drawing into a digital file.
Students will use their personally selected split complementary color scheme to digitally paint their
mandala slice using a tablet. They will then transform and rotate their completed mandala slice in
Photoshop to create a completed radial design.

Timeline/Milestones
Classes meet 2 times during a 6 day cycle for 50 minutes-75 minutes.

Week 1-introduction to mandalas, artist research
Week 2-significant moments brainstorm, mandala illustrations
Week 3-mandala abstractions
Week 4-mandala slice designing
Week 5-group critique of final mandala slice
Week 6-color scheme and personal symbol plan
Week 7-Photoshop/tablet practice
Week 8-Mandala complete and artist statement due
Week 9-Mandala exhibition and final critique

Personalization
Students will create designs inspired from stories of their own life. They will also use a split
complementary color scheme based around a main color associated with a personally chosen power
word.

Exhibition
What: Mandala Exhibition and video compilation (Dragons Gate).
Where: ISB Middle School Hallway and on Dragons Gate to share with the Middle School community.

Assessment

Art:
Inquiry, Critical Thinking, & Problem Solving:
-The students sketchbook will display and record their research, brainstorming and mandala slice
drawing process.
-The artist statement will touch upon their inquiry, critical thinking and problem solving throughout
the process.
Communication: Visual communication and written communication
Taught and
Assessed

Encouraged
Leadership & Responsibility X
Inquiry, Critical Thinking, & Problem Solving X
Collaboration X
Communication X
Global Thinking X
Innovation & Creativity X
-Students will express important moments in their life through abstracted visual designs.
-Students will explain in writing the significance of their personal mandala in their written reflection
on Study wiz.
Innovation & Creativity:
-Students will come up with a unique and innovative mandala design taking radial balance into
consideration.