100 Mile Elementary
During Take Me Outside week, Mrs Dixon brought grade 6 & 7 students outdoors to create incredible artworks using only what they could find in their environment. Creating mandalas outdoors invites students to connect deeply with the land while engaging in mindful, creative learning. Using natural materials such as leaves, stones, pinecones, and petals gathered from their surroundings, learners explore pattern, symmetry, and design in a hands-on way that strengthens focus and calm. Outdoor mandalas naturally support place-based learning by encouraging students to notice the unique colours, textures, and shapes found in their local environment and to understand how these elements change with the seasons.
Mandalas also reflect Indigenous teachings and the Circle of Courage philosophy, reminding us that everything in nature is interconnected. As students work together to design circular patterns, they practice Belonging through collaboration, Mastery through observation and design, Independence by expressing creativity, and Generosity by leaving behind a creation that honours the land. This activity blends art, mathematics, and environmental stewardship—helping students learn with the land rather than just about it.
