Identity / Ancestry Mandala Project (Grade 9-12)

This lesson is intended to help students understand that visual art is essential to building culture, expressing and exploring personal identity, and revealing insights into the human experience.  Students will use the structure and inspiration of a mandala to share what their ancestry is and what identity means to them. (Lesson designed by Ali Donnelly, Cowichan School District 79).

Time required:  3 – 45 minute class sessions

Objectives:

At the end of these lessons, students will be able to:

  • Communicate ideas and express emotions through art making.
  • Explore Aboriginal perspectives and knowledge, other ways of knowing, and local cultural knowledge to gain understanding through artistic works.
  • Create artistic works to reflect personal voice, story, and values in connection with a specific place, time, and context.
  • Create a mandala, a circular and visual representation, that incorporates the student’s family ancestry and reflects their experience living in this world.
Grade Level: Grades 10 to 12

Associated Box Set: Salish Weave Box Set II



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