Jataka Tales and Thangka

Assignment Summary: (4 - 5 days) You have just completed reading Jataka Tales as part of your study of Buddhism. You will create a Thangka that illustrates a specific Jataka Tale and the lesson learned by the Buddha in order to gain full enlightenment.

Purpose: To understand the lessons learned by the Buddha in order to gain full enlightenment. To connect the lesson to today’s world.

Role: You will be a first grade teacher and you will work with a partner. With your partner, you will create a Thangka with regards to a specific Jataka Tale.

Audience: A first grade class

Form: A Thangka

Focus Correction Areas:

• Thangka shows thought and effort for clear description of lesson (40)
• Thangka answers and explain all questions in Procedure section correctly. See below. (40)
• Focus, commitment and diligence are exhibited during process of product development (20)

Procedure:

• Read and Review notes from class regarding the Jataka Tales.
• Participate in class discussion on Jataka Tales.
• Understand that Thangkas are wall hangings usually made of cloth that depict Buddhists stories and or beliefs. The study of Thangkas helps one become more enlightened.
• REMEMER WHO YOUR AUDIENCE IS!
• Understand that all visuals must be hand drawn. Magazine pictures or Internet visuals will not be accepted.
• Use graphics to answer and explain questions. Absolutely no letters or numbers on the poster, only graphics.
• Brainstorm ideas for the Thangka with your partner. Sketch out ideas first. Enjoy the project. All Thangkas must be in color with use of colored pencils. Entire surface of poster must be colored. Integrate graphics into a unified theme, for example, overlapping or juxtaposing elements. Be creative. No sparkly pens or glitter allowed.
• Write your name, partner’s name and social studies’ group on the back of the poster.
• Be prepared to share your Thangka with the class.
• Be prepared to make connection to today’s world.
• Thangka must explain the following questions:

• What is the Jataka tale about?
• What is the moral of the story?
• What did the Buddha learn in order to eventually attain full enlightenment?
• How does the lesson of the story connect to today’s world?