Majestic Taj Mahal

Majestic Taj Mahal lesson plan

India’s Taj Mahal is a work of architectural genius. It is also a monument to the love of a wealthy emperor for his queen. Construct a replica of this magnificent marble structure.

  • 1.

    After the loss of his wife, Empress Mumtaz Mahal, the wealthy emperor Shah Jahan built the Taj Mahal in her memory. Discover more about this magnificent, building that reflects the influences of several cultures and attracts millions of visitors.

  • 2.

    Choose several recycled boxes and a cardboard gift-wrap tube. Cut the gift-wrap tube into four sections (for minarets) with Crayola® Scissors. Decide how to assemble the boxes to resemble the Taj Mahal.

  • 3.

    Cover your art area with newspaper. With Crayola Tempera Paint and Brushes, cover the boxes and tubes with a light shade. On posterboard cut to fit in front, paint the gardens and reflecting pool. Air-dry the paint.

  • 4.

    Attach boxes, tubes, and the gardens to each other with Crayola School Glue. Air-dry the glue.

  • 5.

    On white paper, use Crayola Erasable Colored Pencils and Metallic Colored Pencils to draw the decorative windows, arches, and filigree details found on the Taj. Cut them out and glue them to the facade.

  • 6.

    On posterboard, draw the center dome, smaller domes, and tops of the minarets. Cut them out and glue them in place.

Benefits

  • Students study the history of 17th-century India and learn about the lavish lifestyles of its rulers, including Shah Jahan and his wife Mumtaz Mahal.
  • Students study the enormous white marble burial chamber known as the Taj Mahal to learn how and why it was created.
  • Students construct their own Taj Mahal replica of this world-famous building.

Adaptations

  • Imagine you could travel to the Taj Mahal. Find where it is located on a map. Explore how you would get to Agra. Find out how much such a trip would cost.
  • Study other great buildings such as the Coliseum, the Parthenon, Eiffel Tower, Mayan temples, and the Sydney Opera House. Discuss how, why, and by whom each were built. Construct replicas of them, too.
  • Research other famous buildings created to honor deceased people such as Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Great Pyramid of Giza , the Arc de Triomphe, and the Han Dynasty tombs.