How to Make an Intricate Mandala in 30 Minutes

My class has been making mandalas the past few days. It ties in well to both our studies on India (and related motifs from textiles, tiles, etc.) as well as my principal’s desire to have something impressive to post in the administrative building in May. The pressure is on. Frankly, I’m happy that it is, since it reminded me of this activity, the technique of which I’d like to say I invented last year.

Here is what one student ended up with. Directions below.

Here’s what you do:

1. Get a compass and make the biggest circle you can on a blank sheet of paper.
2. Carefully cut the circle out.
3. Fold the circle in half. Cut.
4. Fold that half in half again. Cut.
5. Fold that half (quarter) in half (eighth). Cut.
6. Now you have an eighth of a circle. Hopefully you have been very careful and it is exactly an eighth of a circle. Otherwise, there will be problems.
7. If you have several students, trace lightly around the eighth and make copies.
8. After showing students examples of mandalas and other circular motifs (and explaining that Buddhist monks had to wait seven years before being allowed to create one) let them decorate their eighth of a circle. Be sure that they realize that a straight line will create an octagon in the final product, whereas a curved line will make a circle, etc. Encourage students to take their time and make intricate designs. They will enjoy hearing, “You MADE this? Yourself??”
9. When the students are finished, make eight copies of their work. Bring it back to each student and have them cut out all eight (identical) pie pieces and glue them together. All of this should be done with great care.
10. After all pieces are glued in place, make another couple of copies. Some students may want to color theirs.

I love this activity because it can be done in two 30 minute parts of a class period. You’ll want to give yourself time to make the copies–otherwise it could be done in one period, sans coloring. It is fun to listen to the students plead with you to make the copies early because they can’t wait to see how their work turned out.

There are many ways that this activity can be extended, depending on what you’re studying. It fits in well with counseling groups, world history classes and English writing projects. Really, your imagination is the limit. Enjoy!