"Create Your Own Mandala" : Symmetry Art Lesson with Template

“Mandala” is a Sanskrit word meaning “circle” or “completion”. It is often recognized to represent wholeness.

Which shapes and colors will you use to express your whole self? The best thing about creating your own Mandala art is

that you can choose any shapes and colors you want. Make one or more than one, but the important thing is to have fun!

This art project is a wonderful way to teach symmetry. The finished Mandalas will look great on your bulletin board or collect the penciled versions and put them together to make a class coloring book. What a great Mother's Day gift idea! The easy template makes the process easy for students to create stunning Mandalas they can be proud of.

Now follow these directions and use the template below to make your very own Mandala art.

1. Cut out along the black square lines.

2. Fold in half along the center vertical line and then open and refold along the center horizontal line.

3. Now fold along each straight diagonal line and unfold again.

4. Starting from center make a design in only one “pie-shaped” piece of the circle.

5. Now repeat that same pattern in every other section either by folding the paper and tracing over the original design ( a window works well), use a Mirra board along each dotted line and try to duplicate the original design in each section, or challenge yourself and just repeat the pattern without help.

6. Once your finished drawing, add colors. Remember to color each section with the same color scheme. Look at the examples

to help you.

7. Mount on black paper for a beautiful display.