Using
the Mandala as a tool for
reading comprehension
This
workshop was created specifically for a 5th grade reading
program to help students improve reading comprehension skills.
The
Workshop
The
workshop consisted of four sessions, one hour each.
Day
1: Presentation of the Mandala (page to come describing
general workshop presentation).
Day
2: Read to the group: "Beautiful
Warrior, Legend of the Nun's Kung Fu." Helped students
to complete a worksheet which included questions regarding
hero/heroine, site, problem, action, result - the five sections
that make up the Mandala Storymap.
Days
3 & 4: Illustrate Mandala Storymaps
Each
of the eight students completed worksheets and mandala storymaps
and appeared to be engaged in every step of the process.
See the student mandalas below.
The
use of the mandala storymap as both an organizing tool and
an artistic expression was well-received. The storymap offered
each student an opportunity to display both artistic and interpretive
skills in their illustrations of the story content. Since
there was no "wrong" way to create the mandala,
each artpiece was a successful expression of the individual's
understanding of the story.
