Lesson Plan

Topic/Big Idea: Rituals

Class/Grade:
4th

Essential Questions: What is a ritual? Why do people have rituals? What is the connection between art and ritual
ceremonies?
Objective(s): Students will...

know how to create radial symmetry

understand how the art of making Mandalas are traditionally created as a ceremonial ritual

be able to... create a unique Mandala with shapes and lines in radial symmetry
Standard Coding

Activity Description

SAMR level

VA:Cn10.1.4a
VA:Re8.1.4a

Introduction
Studentswilldiscusstheenduringideaforthelessonaswellas
theessentialquestionsabove.
TogethertheclasswillviewavideoclipoftraditionalMandala
creation.
StudentswillTweettheirinitialreactionsandquestionsin
classonacollaborativedocumentcreatedonPollEverywhere.

Substitution

ISTES2

VA:Cr2.1.4a
VA:Cr1.1.4a
ISTES1
ISTES4

VA:Pr4.1.4a
ISTES5
ISTES6

GettingStarted
Studentswillviewvariousexamplesofradialsymmetryfound
ineverydaylife.
StudentswillthencreatetheirownMandaladesignsusingor
http://www.mandaladrawerer.com/.
TheMandalasappforiPadmayalsobeusedforthisassignment,
dependingontechnologyavailableatthetime.
PuttingitTogether
StudentsagainwillTweettheircurrentfindingsandfuture
wonderingsasaninprogressreflectiononPollEverywhere.
Studentswillcreateanartiststatementoftheirworkusing
Notability,anduseaniPadtophotographandpostapictureof
theirworkwiththeirstatementontheschoolArtsoniagallery.

Original Pinterest Lesson Inspiration:

Augmentation

Augmentation
Modification

Modification
Redefinition

The Pinterest lesson I have chosen to modify for this experiment is one that I currently
use in my own curriculum with fourth grade. I decided to transform this lesson because I felt it
was one I could reproduce in my own classroom environment and with my own body of student
learners. I felt this was important because at the time, our resources for integrating technology
are very limited. Creating a lesson that is realistic and applicable to my current teaching situation
would be just the thing I need to advocate for acquiring more technological resources to better
serve our 21st century learners of the Net Generation.
In the original flat lesson, a Mandala is created with radial symmetry by using a
graphite transfer technique. This technique is typically a fascinating concept to my fourth grade
artists, however it takes them some time to fully comprehend radial symmetry. Often my students
will try to free hand their designs, which I then have to explain how it may not be very precise if
done in that manner. Even after explaining I know some of them still do not completely
understand, so by using technology I think students will better understand this artistic concept.
Within the adapted lesson plan, I feel that I was able to successfully address many of the
ISTE standards as well as the SAMR steps to modifying instruction. Technology, in this adapted
format, is used to facilitate exploration of radial symmetry as well as providing a new method of
art-making. This lesson, as previously seen on Pinterest, is possible to be presented without use
technology, but not in the revised edition. In this revised lesson plan, technology serves as an
integral part of the art-making and reflecting process. Students would not be able to record an
artist statement, photograph and upload a picture of their work, and publish the two together
without using technology. Adapting the lesson to incorporate technology also allows for several
of the National Core Arts Standards to be met in all the areas of creating, presenting, responding,

and connecting to artwork. Again, this demonstrates the flexibility and versatility of technology
resources.
I have learned that throughout the first half of this course that utilizing technology is a
very effective method for connecting with todays unique array of learners. I have already
learned throughout many different personal experiences and resources that students learn best
through visual presentation of information. Art content and instruction, however, can be so much
more meaningful if it relates and connects to the daily life of students through utilizing devices
they already use regularly. Using technology eliminates so many boundaries for art production,
so ultimately students are unlimited in creating new ideas and representations in their art. In
addition to using the Internet to create art, utilizing it also as a presentation tool empowers
students to take ownership of their creations and consider millions of viewers rather than the few
who experience it in a bulletin board or display case.