Mandalas, Heirlooms and Tic-Tac-Toe - Art in Class II

Below you will read about the many interesting ways Class II students created Art during their time with LS Art Specialist, Ms. Durst.  Students learned more about mandalas, heirlooms, and the game Tic-Tac-Toe before embarking on a project that would include all three. Below you will see descriptive write-ups and facts  Ms. Durst shared alongside the beautiful Tic-Tac-Toe boards designed and painted by Class II students. Most importantly, while students learned about traditional games, they also practiced and learned many important art skills, such as color mixing, using warm and cool colors, clean and straight lines, and being able to paint fine details. 

Below written by Lisa Durst, LS Art Teacher, Classes K-II, and shown on display with the students’ artwork. 

TIC-TAC-TOE

An early version of Tic-Tac-Toe can be traced back to the 1st Century B.C. The old form of Tic Tac Toe can be found scratched into many buildings in the ruins of Pompeii. The simple game circumnavigated the Earth for thousands of years. 

In Medieval times, Tic-Tac-Toe was considered “magical” and the playing pieces tokens of luck.

Tic-Tac-Toe games have been found scratched into trenches of World War I on both the Ally and Axis sides. 

Tic-Tac-Toe is special! It can be played by the young and the old. It doesn’t matter if you speak the same language as your opponent because nearly everyone in the world knows how to play! 

MANDALAS

In the Hindu and Buddhist traditions, mandalas are an object of meditation to aid one’s spirit and to bring good fortune. The circle represents the universe traveling around a central point. 

The mandala is also an important symbol in Ancient Mayan and Navajo cultures. Mandalas were used to tell stories or to keep track of time. A good example is the Mayan calendar. 

In Class II Art, we studied mandalas from around the world and through history. This prepared us to create the tiny mandalas you see displayed on each Tic-Tac-Toe playing piece. 

HEIRLOOMS

Class II learned the word “heirloom”. An heirloom is a valuable object that has belonged to a family for several generations. 

We discussed the idea that the Tic-Tac-Toe game we were making could be played someday with our grandchildren!

As you look at these beautiful pieces of art, I think that you will agree these are definitely heirlooms. I wonder how many hands will hold these little mandalas?