Fifth Grade studied the cultural significance of the Tibetan sand Mandalas. A Tibetan mandala is a symbolic container of blessings and well wishing. Once the practice is completed, it is swept away by the hands of monks and eventually carried to rivers. The idea is that the rivers bring the blessings and good will of the mandala to different shores on the planet. Students worked to create a radial design that showed an understanding of the color wheel. Finally, they surrounded their designs with adjectives that described what positive impact they have on those around them.
Meaningful Hands
Fifth grade students contemplated the different ways that our hands can express and communicate. We looked at different types of dance, talked about how hands can help us with our favorite hobbies, and how hands could be used to communicate in terms of language. Students learned that art can represent ideas that we have about ourselves and that self expression allows people to distinguish themselves from others and validate their own self-concepts.
Joseph Amedopko Abstractions
Students studied the art of Joseph Amedopkpo, an artist from Togo in West Africa. His use of line design, pattern, repetition and unity inspired our ink and watercolor works. Students learned that artists can be inspired by other the creative imaginings of others and that art does not have to be realistic to communicate mood or meaning.