Creating a Sand Mandala
Everyone is invited to Family Night at Townline on Thursday, October 2 from 7:00- 8:30 pm to watch the beginning of the creation of a sand Mandala.
As you may know, Aspen uses the Bernstein Artful Learning model to educate our students. This method uses the arts and the artistic process to foster learning in all areas. Each year a masterwork (painting, photograph, piece of music, etc.) is chosen and a concept is developed to tie learning together across all curricula. This year the chosen concept is Legacy and the masterwork is the Tibetan art of sand mandala painting. The image of the sand mandala will be used to teach the idea of legacy and the importance of what we do today, and how that will impact tomorrow. Students are exploring how their actions affect how others perceive them and impact the world around them.
In order to give our students a deeper understanding of the sand mandala, we have the opportunity to host a group of Tibetan Buddhist Monks from 10/1-10/3. The monks will visit Townline Elementary and create our masterwork, the sand mandala, right here in our district. In addition to creating the mandala, the monks will present dances from their culture as well as talk with the staff about the significance of the mandala. We are working together with Townline to do this unit at both buildings. Aspen students will be visiting Townline school during the school day to get a first-hand look at this incredible event.
Please join in the excitement as we experience this wonderful opportunity. If you would like to gain a better understanding of the art of the sand mandala and the culture of the Tibetan monks, please visit mysticalartsoftibet.org.