Mandala-making

The Green School primary curriculum includes two-hour units each morning centered around a theme.  These thematic units feature singing, poetry, visual and dramatic arts, movement, and academic study.  Charlotte's class is currently studying symmetry.  As part of this unit and an end-of-term celebration, her teacher Ibu Mona gathered the children and parents last week to make a flower mandala.   Mandalas have a variety symbolic meanings in several spiritual traditions.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mandala 

Making the mandala with the children was a beautiful process of collaboration.  Everyone brought flowers.  Earlier in the week, the children had dyed rice in various colors.  We worked together to make the mandala symmetrical, learning from our missteps along the way.  We also learned that some people enjoy working within the confines of formal symmetry more than others.

We were all was pleased by the fruits of our work measuring, designing and creating the mandala.   After it was completed, the teachers lit candles and we had quiet time in a circle.  We shared what we enjoyed about the process.

While we were reminded that mandalas are a symbol of life's impermanence, the kids were happy they were allowed to keep in the classroom for three days! 

Our feet were colorful after walking on the rice.

Parents enjoyed taking arty photos.

Posted by Lynn.