Holy Week Cross

Using contrast, middle school students will create a mandala that honors four major events surrounding Lent with a Holy Week Cross.  This project covers Common Core Standards for Religion for grades 4-8.

Grade Level

4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th grade. This project was created by 4th grade students.

Objective for Holy Week Cross Art

Using contrast, middle school students will create a mandala that honors four major events surrounding Lent with a Holy Week Cross.

Time

4 – 30 min lessons

Materials

• Green Construction Paper – SunWorks Construction Paper, Holiday Green, 12″ x 18″, 100 Sheets
• Magenta Construction Paper –PACON SunWorks Construction Paper, Magenta, 12 x 18, 50 Sheets, 6407
• Violet Construction Paper –SunWorks Construction Paper, Violet, 12″ x 18″, 100 Sheets
• Light Blue Construction Paper – PACON – 103063 Pacon Tru-Ray Construction Paper, 12-Inches by 18-Inches, 50-Count, Sky Blue (103048)
• Black Construction Paper – Tru-Ray – 103061 Sulphite Construction Paper, 12 x 18 Inches, Black, 50 Sheets – 054150
• White Construction Paper – SunWorks Construction Paper, White, 12″ x 18″, 50 Sheets
• Scissors
• Glue sticks

Inspiration/Artist

I made this project up after looking at a number of images on Google connected to Holy Week and Lent.

Instruction with Questions

First

Depending on your use of this lesson or your time allotted, this is a great version of Holy Week by The Beginners Bible series.

The Story of Easter – The Beginners Bible

Second

Discuss the Principle of Design, Contrast.

Contrast defined – From Goodbye-Art Academy

Positive and Negative Space

As an option, depending on your time allowance, show them this PowerPoint about Mandalas that I created.

Third

Show students some examples of Positive and Negative space artwork used by organizations publicizing Holy Week. Discuss what you see. Notice the simplicity and the silhouette.

#1

#2

#3

Fourth

Trace a plate that is approximately 11″ in diameter. Fold it twice and cut out the rounded triangles. These will be used as the templates for students to cut out the same shape from one of each of the pieces of colored construction paper.

Next, have students glue the pieces to a pre-cut 12×12 size piece of black construction paper. Remind them to leave a space

Fifth

The four events you are focusing on are Palm Sunday, The Last Supper, Crowning of Thornes at the Crucifixion, and Resurrection. Some students interpreted these to be “read” above and below left to right column style. I had not considered that. If you want them to “read” like a clock, be very specific. Students cut out their shapes from white construction paper and glue them down. I recommend drawing on the back of the objects so when they are cut out, no pencil lines are shown. I also recommend placing the glue onto the white paper before adding it to the colored paper. Sometimes when glue is added onto the colored paper it can become discolored.

Check out these finished Holy Week Cross art pieces!